Mulgathing was the first of Byron MacLachlan’s pioneering ventures in the Tarcoola area during the late 1920’s. He was helped in his endeavours by his father, Hugh P. MacLachlan, who advanced the fledgling company £16,000 to help with the development.

Mulgathing depastures 30,000 plus merinos which includes 13,000 lambing ewes. It produces an average clip of approximately 800 bales or 152,000 kilos of wool annually. The wool is normally transported to Gillman, Port Adelaide, core tested and sold by separation in Melbourne. Occasionally it is sold forward to a first stage processor.

The North East portion of the Station produces the best wool, being well covered with salt and blue bush perennials amid some harder, stonier country dispersed with mulga watercourses. The remainder is sandy, with big areas of mulga and therefore, not as clean for woolgrowing.

Average rainfall, like its Northern neighbour, Commonwealth Hill, is 175mm. The Station is subdivided into 80 paddocks watered by 32 bores and 156km of pipelines of various types and diameters, which services numerous water points.

The Southern and Western boundary fence are of marsupial netting 1.6 metres high. It forms part of the well known South Australian Dog Fence which is always dingo proof. The remainder of the perimeter boundary is netted but is not necessarily dog proof at all times.

A Cessna 172 aircraft is used to facilitate mustering with UHF air-to-ground communication with Jackaroos and Jillaroos on motorbikes.

Staff numbers vary between 7 and 10 with the higher number being employed during shearing time in February/March.

An average of 7000 surplus sheep are turned off during and after shearing. They are either sold privately, at auction in Jamestown or on C.A.L.M., whichever sale medium suits the description best.

The Station is located 120 km West of the Stuart Highway midway between Glendambo and Coober Pedy.

The Manager James Barry, the former Overseer, was promoted in early 2007 and is running Mulgathing with his partner Jess Lukins.

Social activities attended by staff throughout the year include Gymkhanas at Glendambo, race meetings and camp drafts in the general area and the Woolbalers B&S ball at Glendambo.

Mulgathing offers a Certificate III in Agriculture (Sheep and Wool). This certificate is nationally recognised and comes at no expense to the trainee. Outside experts are brought in to deliver modules on Welding, First Aid and OH&S.

Apply for employment positions at MULGATHING online