What to pack when going to work on a cattle station

I just replied to an email from a new Jillaroo who is coming up here to start work this year – with a few questions about exactly what she needs to bring. That got me thinking… maybe there are others out there wondering the exact same thing, we have quite a few newbies starting this year so why not just direct them all to the one spot – right here! So hello… we can’t wait to meet you and want to make sure you have all the right gear. This post is particularly directed to Jackaroo’s and Jillaroo’s. If you are going to work on a station as a Bore Runner or other position of course your requirements may be a little different. Perhaps you don’t need the motorbike helmet for example.

Of course every station is different, some may have a store that stocks personal items or they may not. Some may have a station rec club/canteen where you can purchase drinks, chips etc and some may not. This blog post is very much focused on our station, we live 5 hours from town so we can’t just nip to the shops if we run out of something.

The first thing you are going to need is your Tax File Number and Bank Details so we can sign you up and you can get paid. I reckon this is probably pretty important to you. Actually no, that is the second thing you will need, the very first thing you need to remember are your manners. Right now that we have that sorted let’s get to it.

If you are travelling up through Mt Isa be sure to stop in and see my friend Hannah and her team at Worn Out West.

It is literally on your way. You will be able to collect anything you may need from here or order it in. They will have you sorted in no time at all. You can also phone them on (07) 4743 2406 – tell them Chards sent you and they will throw in a complimentary business card.

Medication

I would bring as much as you can and of course any current scripts you have. Be sure to tell your employer if you have any allergies and if they need to know about any particular medications that you are on.

Toiletries

Bring a bulk supply of the stuff you like – we do have a rec club store that has items such as deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, Panadol, sunscreen, Vicks, soft drink & beer. We always have washing powder on hand to purchase too! But if you would prefer to bring a big bulk supply then go ahead, it is probably more economical.

Linen

Yes, you will need your own bed linen/doona, towels & pillow.  The bed is a single.  

Alarm Clock

If you are to use something other than your phone make sure it is battery operated – digital alarm clocks that plug into power seem to speed up as we are on generator power.  I learnt this lesson the hard way when I was a Govie (about 273 years ago) and was up and showered and dressed and then realised it was actually only 4am ha ha ha ha.

Riding Boots

most people wear Ariat’s. You may prefer some comfier shoes to wear when you are doing yard work or just use the same boots day in and day out. You need to make sure they are suitable for horse riding.  The square toe boots are super comfy.  Because I would know and everything!

These slip ons are so comfy and feel like you are wearing joggers…

Motorbike Helmet

On our station it is company policy that a motorcycle helmet be worn and correctly secured when riding a motorbike. You will need to bring your own. Some stations may reimburse you for some of your hemet expense, so hold onto your docket.

Water Bottle

look I am not going to lie – the Yeti’s really ARE the business. They keep your water super cold – for days!  They are expensive but definitely worth the money especially given how hot it gets up here.  I would definitely invest in one of these if you can get your hands on one – they are basically out of stock Australia wide at the moment but I would suggest calling Worn Out West in Mt Isa and ordering one, that way you can pick it up on your way through….  Make sure you get the biggest one – it is the 1 Gallon Yeti Rambler and I think they are around $200.00.  Worn Out West’s phone number is: (07) 4743 2406 – Tell them you are heading up to work at Mittiebah and would like to collect it on your way through.  You will be so thankful that you made this investment!  Even Mr Chardy loves them and he is so bloody hard to please!  He wants a second one.  Our head stockman also swears by them. Just get on. Rant over! Or should I say “ramble” over, ha ha ha.

Now look, my husband just brought me back down a peg or two. I think I have forgotten how busted arse broke I was when I first left school, no way known would I have been willing to fork out $200 for a Yeti water bottle (but seriously it would be a great investment guys)… So Mr Chardy said if you are not ready to part with 200 big ones then get the 5L Willow Water Cooler WITHOUT a tap. They travel in the back on the ute and the tap is what stuffs up on them, then they start to leak.

He tells me you can buy these at Blackwoods in Mt Isa – 1 Traders Way Mt Isa (next to BOC). I reckon this would also be the place to get some leather gloves.

Esky – Cooler Bag – Fridge

A normal sized esky is always handy for town trips or campdraft and I would also suggest a smaller esky or cooler bag for taking your lunch in each day if you are working away from the station – you know those tiny little six pack size things.  Your lunch won’t be all squashed and hot by lunch time and your cookies and cake won’t be squished in the glad wrap.  It doesn’t matter if you are mustering you just leave your lunch/coolerbag/esky with the truck or vehicles and someone generally goes back for them or something – heck, who am I kidding – as if I know I don’t muster, ha ha ha ha – but that is definitely the way to go! At least I sound like I know what I am talking about… right?

Clothes

You are going to need a good supply or work shirts, jeans, socks, jocks. Cinch jeans are super comfy and the half button work shirts are the go.

Pack some nice outfits too for events like the Camooweal Races (everyone gets really dressed up in the normal race attire) etc.  If you have a nice warm jacket bring it for work because during winter it gets very cold and windy – we call it the Barkly Breeze and when you are out mustering it can just blow right through you (again I am talking out my arse… as if I would know I don’t go mustering, my kitchen is really warm and I definitely don’t need a jacket in there, ha ha ha, but word on the street is that it can get very cold out on your horse).

You will need layers for those 2 days of the year that we get Winter – just kidding it is at least a month, ha ha ha.  Yes to ugg boots, you need some creature comforts.  Definitely yes to neck scarves.  Do you have a vest? They are also good for work or campdraft.  Don’t stress too much – there is always online shopping and good old Worn Out West!

Hat

Of course you are going to need a good big hat to protect your precious little face from the harsh northern sun. The fella’s up here are quite partial to the Circle L and Rodeo King hats.

Me personally… why thank you for asking… I prefer the Sunbody Hats – which you can get from Hannah and Worn Out West and they are less than $100. It took me about 15 years but I finally found a hat I love – they have a massive brim and are lovely and cool… I wear this every single day – great for mowing and wandering around the station (as I do)… So if you are coming up as a gardener I highly recommend these hats… as for working in the stock camp… well my husband will probably eye roll out loud and totally pay you out if you wear one of these mustering. Sorry. I mean I would definitely wear it mustering, but like I said… I don’t go mustering.

But this isn’t about me (sorry I got a little side tracked there) so back to you…

Belt

A belt will probably come in handy, a pocket knife is probably also going to come in handy.

Swag

You will need a swag. If you are on a station that camps out to muster then you will definitely need one but you are also going to need it for when you go to campdraft etc.

We got all of our swags – for us and the kids – from Worn Out West, they are so good and super comfy. You can get them in all different colours – blue, green, pink, red & purple. My husband and I have a king single and the kids have a single. Beware – the king singles are quite bit so will take up a fair amount of room in your car. You will also need to deck this out with some sheets, doona & pillow.

Misc

A few other things you may want to consider bringing are some pliers and leather gloves which will come in really handy when fencing. Also, for the girls, neck-a-chiefs are really handy to protect your neck and chest – so you don’t end up looking 95 years old after your first year. You will thank us when you go to put that dress on for the races and you are not sporting a dirty great big farmers tan.

Brain

Be sure to pack your common sense, it is going to come in really handy!

Some stations might reimburse items such as some of your travel/accommodation expenses and some of your helmet expense so hold onto your dockets just in case they need these.

If you do get up here and find you quite like the restaurant on the station you are going to want to get your Mum a copy of my cook book (shameless plug), you can get it right here…

Cooks

Are you heading off to be a cook for the very first time? Wonderful! Most things in this post don’t apply to you but there are a few things I would suggest to make your life easier. You will need a pair of comfy shoes – I would suggest a good pair of joggers and some good socks. Aprons – get yourself some basic aprons, they will save your clothes, trust me! Ask your boss about the appliances they have in the kitchen, if they don’t have a pie maker I would suggest buying yourself one from K-Mart, it will be a godsend. Knives, I would suggest buying yourself a good sharp knife. Even if you just get 1 you will be thankful. My favourite knife is a basic knife from Woolworths… nothing expensive or extravagant but I use it all day everyday, love it! If there is anything that you love to use when cooking I would suggest taking it with you, anything that will make your life easier, day to day, you will be thankful for.

Things I use a million times a day: my Tupperware measuring cups – I have 3 sets, a few good sets of measuring spoons, spatula’s lots of good spatula’s – I have about 7 and they are constantly in use, good long wooden spoons – I have 3 or 4 of these, a good whisk – I prefer a smaller one.

Cutting boards, I have a set like this…

And they are on high rotation.

Some nice thick oven mits…

Anyway, like I said, just ask you boss if they already have these things in the kitchen, if not, I would be buying them myself. You can claim them on your tax return. Of course you could always wait until you get to the station to see what they have on hand and then buy the gear you need online.

Governesses

Again, if you are going to a station as a Governess you won’t need all the gear that a Jack or Jillaroo needs. You will need a swag. Also some comfy, tidy, casual clothes to wear each day. I recommend a good hat (like the Sunbody one I suggested). A great day to day outfit would be a workshirt and a pair of shorts, like this…

 

Now look, while it is just us chatting can I also give you the heads up that on a station (and all of the stations from the Kimberley to the Gulf) EVERYONE knows EVERYTHING!!! So my advice to you would be this: Don’t screw the crew and if you do just know one thing – EVERYONE will know about it…no matter how sneaky you think you are being we will all know about it (as much as we definitely DON’T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT). So bring your dignity and hold onto it my friends. It isn’t a B&S it is a place of work – just remember that – and again… don’t forget your manners!

Right, I think that just about covers it. We should have you all sorted. Travel safely and get ready to work hard.