LIKE many stockmen, Northern Territory station hand Travis Fisher is not all that comfortable standing in front of a big crowd and not all that excited about having to come to town.
He was willing to visit Alice Springs last week and speak at the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association’s annual conference, however, because he believes he has the best job in the world and wanted to tell other young people to give it a go.
Mr Fisher was given the 2018 Alward Foster Memorial Award in recognition of effort and proficiency in working cattle.
It was presented by Northern Territory Primary Industry and Resources Minister Ken Vowles at the conference on Friday.
A graduate of the NTCA’s Real Jobs program, which is supported by the Indigenous Land Council, Mr Fisher collected a magnificent Australian stock saddle sponsored by the Warriner family.
For the past three years, he has worked cattle at Heytesbury Pastoral Company’s 27,000 head Birrindudu Station south west of Katherine.
Birrindudu has a diverse range of land types ranging from open black soil flats, flood plains, sandy red ridges and desert swamp country and Mr Fisher says its an incredible place to work.
Cattle are easy to get on with - Brahmans are the best, he said.
He hopes to work his way up to managing a cattle station one day, perhaps owning one.
Head stockman at Birrindudu Dustin Hutley said Mr Fisher was hardworking and loyal, respectful to everyone and in return was much respected himself.
Manager Kylie Hutley said Mr Fisher would be able to contribute to the training of new junior employees this year.
“I feel that Travis constantly displays resilience and aptitude for leadership and is a significant role model for young indigenous men and women seeking a career in the NT pastoral industry,” she said.
Shan Goodwin
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
