FOR eight months of the year Melinda Ryan works in a contract mustering team in Far North Queensland – working in the cape on horseback.
But once the first storms roll in and the wet kicks off, Melinda is back at home at Green Hills Station, Georgetown, where she is a successful seamstress, and has kicked off her own business called Station West Clothing.
Focussing mostly on creating custom shirts for country women, Melinda said most of her business has come from people on the campdraft and rodeo circuits.
Melinda, now 22, finished school five years ago and for the first three years she worked completing a fashion design and pattern making course externally while living at the family’s property.
She said while it was hard, it was very rewarding and has lead her to where she is now.
But for six to eight months of the year Melinda works alongside her partner in a contract mustering team from Easter until the first storms of the year.
“I really, really enjoy getting to ride horses and work with cattle every day,” she said.
But over the wet season is when Melinda is busy sewing.
“I started Station West Clothing, it’s not even 12 months old yet, but I started it last wet season… basically making custom-made long sleeved shirts,” she said.
With the customer given the chance to not only choose their fabric but customise the entire shirt including sleeve lengths, collars, pockets, lace and ribbons, she said the business has proven exceptionally popular – despite her being unable to fill orders until the wet season.
She has since launched neck bandanas, earrings and sock protectors, with the matching sets popular.
Initially she was only sewing for friends, before more and more requests were coming in and she decided to launch the commercial business.
Melinda grew up at Green Hills Station, and said her interest in the cattle industry will always outstrip sewing, but only by a tad.
She said she had the best of both worlds; and enjoyed her contract mustering job immensely.
“You get to work with different horses, and great people who you live with, work with, eat with – at the end of the year you’ve got these really good mates,” she said.
To see Melinda’s shirts, visit her Instagram page here.