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WHAT TO EXPECT
Work in the outback, can be very trying and tiring. The extremes of temperature, dust, flies and mosquitoes may be a far cry from the life you have been used to. Droughts, good seasons and bad, all have upsides and downsides. It is important to realise that life in the outback, like most things worthwhile, will sometimes try you to the point of giving up. You owe it to yourself to work through the initial stages of your acclimatisation and always to give your best.
HOURS
OF WORK
Working hours are varied and often they will be irregular. At all times stock must have water and feed. Windmills break down or there may be a wind drought at inconvenient times. These events happen on weekends and after usual knockoff as well as during working hours. They still need to be fixed as soon as possible so you will find yourself working on weekends and sometimes after your usual knock off time. Stock don’t travel well in the heat of the day so it is usual to start very early, let them have a camp in the middle of the day and finish the job in the cool of the evening. You will find, if you can cope with the busy times, there are quieter times which will balance things out. You may get time off to compensate for particularly busy periods.
Being honest and admitting to mistakes is an attribute. It is expected you will make some mistakes. Learn by them and make a habit of never making the same mistake twice. Be positive about your work. Working on a pastoral station is like most things in life – you will only get out of it what you put in!
GOOD
HABITS
Be neat and tidy, it doesn’t take any longer. If you put all the tools you have used back where they belong, clean and free of grease then everyone will know where to find them for the next job.
Being observant is a skill that is essential to develop in the bush. Look down in gateways when opening a gate and observe any tracks. Learn to recognise the tracks of sheep, cattle, dogs, foxes, camels etc. Which way were they going, were they walking to water or rushing; being chased by a dog perhaps? Recognise tyre and boot tracks; you will soon be able to tell whose vehicle went through the gate last. After a while you will learn to tell how fresh the tracks are. This skill added to your bush sense will be invaluable, as you will be able to follow stragglers when mustering or tell when someone you were meeting in the paddock has taken a wrong turn. Importantly you will be known to be reliable, as you can find your way around. In scrub, once you have found the tracks of stock you are looking for, you should have no trouble mustering them. Being observant also includes watching how others fix fences, put sheep/cattle through the draft, clean up flyblown sheep, and castrate a bull calf. etc. If you are unsure, ASK. Most people are quite pleased to help you. |
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Be punctual. This is a good habit to get into and enhances your reputation for reliability. This includes starting the day properly fed and with the correct equipment for the days work.
Look after your vehicle, motorbike or horse. They are your transport and your well being is dependant on them being in good condition. The days work is not finished until your vehicle is refuelled, any punctures mended and puncture kits and the like replenished. Similarly with your horse, wash them down and give them a feed and a drink before you finish for the day.
Be enthusiastic and willing about all tasks, both the fun and the menial tasks.
ASK
QUESTIONS
Make sure you understand your instructions for the day. If you are in any doubt, clear it up at once. If you aren’t sure how a job is done ask how to do it. You are there to learn and the quickest way to find out is to ask. Leave asking “why” a job is done until there is sufficient time to answer the question, as it may need more time to be explained properly.
ESTABLISH PRIORITIES
Learn to work out which jobs you have to do are the important ones and need to be done first. If you are faced with a job which overwhelms you then break it down into more manageable parts. This will make easier to cope with as you tackle it one stage at a time.
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WATER
RUNS
You will be sent on water runs once you know your way around the Station. Water is the lifeblood of a Station and to ensure that the stock have access to water at all times is one of the most important jobs on the run. When you do a water run you have to check if tanks and troughs are full (and clean), if windmills and pumpjacks are working. Dams must be checked and any stock that might be bogged removed and helped to walk away. Be observant; see if there are any leaks – what level is the tank and trough. See if the windmill is pumping, if there isn’t any wind, climb up and turn the fan around to check. As you have your notebook you will be able to jot down the details of tank levels, stock at the water and any problems that
need to be fixed. Strange rattles or loose parts should be reported at once. |
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MUSTERING
Some Stations use trap yards in which the stock can get in to a water but not out. This is good but after a big rain the stock may not come into water and the paddock will have to be mustered conventionally. Fixed-wing aircraft are used on many of our Stations to spot sheep when mustering and helicopters assist in the mustering of cattle. UHF communication between aircraft and horse/motorbike save a lot of time and distance when putting any mob together.
DROVING
Once you have mustered the stock you may have to drove them to a set of yards, the Homestead yards or another paddock. Remember that you can only travel as fast as the slowest animal and the leaders may have to be turned back or blocked regularly.
PROMOTION
Once you have proved your worth as a first year jackaroo or stockman, the path is open for promotion. Jumbuck prefers to fill overseer, head stockman and managers jobs from current staff. Jumbuck Pastoral wages are reviewed annually and excellence is rewarded.
DISCOUNT CLOTHING
Jumbuck offers staff the opportunity to purchase work clothes at near wholesale prices through their station store account. We also have an account with RM Williams and staff can obtain RM Williams merchandise at a substantial saving, once again through their station store account.
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NEWSLETTER
Jumbuck Pastoral publishes a company newsletter three times a year. This gives staff the chance to hear of the activities of other stations in the Jumbuck group. Contributions from staff are welcomed.
SOCIAL
Jumbuck Pastoral understands the importance of a balanced life. Barbeques and other social events are regularly organised on the station and other recreational activities to enjoy in your spare time include rodeos and camp drafts, picnic races and agricultural shows, horse races and country dances, fishing and swimming. |
EXCESS BAGGAGE
Staff who fly part of the way to get to their job must be aware that they may be subject to expensive excess baggage charges. Qantas allow 7kg carry on luggage and 32kg checked in luggage. This must conform to size restraints. Swags will always fall outside these parameters. Any excess baggage is charged at $10.00/kg.
INSURANCE
If you have lived in a rental house, you would know that your possessions are not covered for loss or damage under the Landlords Insurance Policy. It is the same on the Stations. If you have valuable items with you, or cannot afford to lose your belongings, then you are strongly encouraged to arrange personal insurance on your possessions.
EQUIPMENT
BEDDING – You need some basic equipment to work in the outback. As you have to take your own blankets, sheets, and pillow to the station, it makes sense to buy a swag to roll them all up in. Bring at least 3 blankets or a warm Doona or sleeping bag. Once you think you have enough blankets – ADD ANOTHER ONE! A swag will be used regularly, particularly in the cattle country where there will be a lot of camping out to prepare you for an early start or to be closer to the yards or outstation where you are working.
CLOTHING – Several sets of work clothes and a good pair of workboots are a must. It gets cold in winter (you’d be surprised how many people assume it is warm all year round) so jeans, windcheaters, flannelette shirts, and thermal underwear are best for warmth, especially on a motorbike. A good warm, waterproof jacket for use on the motor bike is essential. It’s a miserable
musterer or lambmarker who gets wet in a shower of rain in the morning and has to stay cold and wet for the rest of the day for the lack of a waterproof coat! It is helpful to have long sleeved shirts with pockets that have button down flaps. This will keep a pocket notebook and biro secure so they won’t fall into the first trough that you clean and also keep the sun off your arms and neck. A good pair of elastic side workboots are essential and it is probably worth spending a bit more and buying the “Airsole”
versions. A sewing kit with needles, thread and buttons will be useful, as you will have to do all your own clothing repairs – another thing you probably aren’t used to. Sunscreen and sunglasses are all essential. Motorbike gloves are a good investment. A Drizabone or waterproof jacket is a must. A hat with a full brim (i.e. Akubra) is best but a cap is better than nothing. A pocket notebook and biros are useful, you can write instructions and mudmaps down and you can record tank levels, stock
numbers and other details you may be asked to collect. A simple pocket-knife (two bladed stock type) in a belt pouch will be found to be most useful as well.
ALARM CLOCK – A reliable BATTERY or WINDUP CLOCK is an important requirement. A person becomes very unpopular when they are often late or need a wakeup call from someone who does have an alarm clock. Most Stations turn the generator off at night so an electric clock is useless. Take spare batteries, as there is no guarantee they are easily available.
COMPASS – A cheap orienteering compass will be found to be very helpful when you are learning to read maps and to find your way around the Station.
TORCH – A torch is very useful. On short winter days it is often dark at breakfast and after tea at night, so it is handy to have a way of seeing where you are going. Some Stations run the lights off batteries when the generator is off. These run down quickly so it is important to turn lights off when you leave a room. Having a torch makes it easier to find your way back to your room in the dark. On Stations where there are no lights when the power is off, a torch is essential. Again, take spare batteries.
STORES – Most Stations have a basic store where essential items can be purchased, i.e. washing powder, soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc. NOT ALL DO, so it is best to bring a small supply until you find out what is available. Cigarettes and beer are items that may not be available, even if there is a store on the Station. When in doubt, ring up the Station before going to find out what is stocked and what you need to take up.
FUEL – Having your own vehicle is useful but not essential. It offers a degree of independence, especially on weekends. Most Stations sell unleaded and diesel fuel but not all stock super petrol. For those who need super, it may be necessary to carry a jerry can of super as a reserve.
MOBILE PHONES DO NOT WORK OUT HERE. COVERAGE IS NOT AVAILABE ON OUR STATIONS. Check phone agreements before you come up and also need to let your friends know that they won’t be able to contact you via mobile phone or check your message bank.
MOSQUITO NET – It is a good idea to get a mosquito net to fit a single bed/swag. There are mozzies at some stations for some periods of the year and a net is the best way to combat them. We recommend the $40.00 type available from Spotlight stores. They are larger and more robust.
MONEY – Wages are paid
by direct credit at the end of the month. Bring
all your banking details, your superannuation
fund details and your tax file number when you
come to sign up for a job. Goods bought at the
station store will be debited to your wage account
monthly.
MOTORBIKE HELMETS – Helmets are compulsory and MUST be worn at all times on motor bikes. Whilst the company does provide helmets on Station, it is recommended that staff purchase their own. This way you can ensure a comfortable fit, whilst getting a style and type of helmet that suits you. White helmets are the preferred colour as they are cooler and are the most
visible whilst aerial mustering. For these reasons and your own view we recommend white openface helmets with a small brim. The company will rebate some of the cost of purchasing your own motor bike helmet.
TELEPHONE – stations, in nearly all cases, have only one phone line. As the only time staff will be able to access the phone is in the evening, you will appreciate that this is the time that others will also want to use it. station business is often left until evening so it is best to limit your phone calls to a maximum of 10 minutes, A lot of our stations have phone cards – Telstra
phoneaway (which are sold at the station store) but some do not. In these cases arrangements to use the phone, and payment for calls, must be made through the manager.
INTERNET – stations generally do not have internet access at this time. Some may have it specifically for School of the Air purposes and as such it is not available to staff.
TV – stations have Television reception, mostly 2 channels, the ABC and Imparja.
1/ August/2008
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