Canadaman Adventures: Jillaroo Experience

Day 1

Today was the start of Laura’s Jillaroo experience (I’ve had to head to Rozzy’s house for some repairs as my head has come off and that’s not a good thing). The adventure began with Laura heading to Central Station to catch the CountryLink train that would take her from Sydney all the way to Tamworth (the Country Musical Capital of Sydney). She went and got her ticket and then waited for the train to arrive. When she got on she met a girl named Tatianna (from Belgium) who she was travelling to the ranch as well.

The 6 hour train ride was not too eventful other than listening to a little boy count cows behind her as well as getting to meet Tatinna more. After the train it was a quick hop over to the bus for another 2 hour drive to Bingara. This ride was even less eventful but quick so that was good.

When the bus pulled up to Bingara Laura and Tatianna got off and looked at the other people who exited to see if any of them would be joining them on their adventure. They found another girl named Bridget who was from New Zealand and was heading to the Imperial Inn for the night just like them. The Imperial Inn turned out to be this quaint little place on main street that was also one of the 2 pubs in town. After finding their room and getting served a meal the girls found out that the town of Bingara (pop 300) was like Westport and shut down at 6pm. So it was an early night.

Day 2

This day started off with packing up the room and heading down for some breakfast (2 pieces of toast and a bowl of rice bubbles – not $10 worth in my mind) before 8:30 as they were told not to be late of the owner of the ranch (John Wade) would get angry.

At 8:45 they were wondering what was going on and if he would ever show up. Then Iris (from Germany) told them she was here to pick them up as she worked for the Wades. The girls put all their stuff into the SUV and drove over to the Wade’s house to get things sorted for the week.

John and Cathy met them, gave them the low down and then it was off to town to get any food or essentials for the week. While here they met a local who gave them the low down on the history of Bingara as well as all the locals. It was so cute.

Then it was time to ride! Laura got to ride Zeena (a quick chestnut horse). The ride was a chance for John and Iris to see how each of the girls were doing. Laura remembered everything that she had been taught back in riding lessons and did really well, not needing any help. The ride included a chance to go swimming with their horses which was really cool as none of the girls had done this before. SUPER COOL!

The day ended with everyone heading into town to enjoy the local Rodeo. It was neat to watch all the cowboys/cowgirls doing their events (Laura’s fav was the bareback broncos and bull riding). It was definitely a modern rodeo as the music that was playing included Dynamite and Poker Face.

To sleep it was off to the farm (30 min from town) to set up in their bunkroom.

Day 3

This was the first day on the farm. The girls began with breakfast and then it was off to work. They hopped into the ute (no doors and all) to go and see how all the horses and cattle and sheep were doing (the property is over 3000 acres). They helped spray the sheep as they were infected by flies due to the wet weather. Then it was back to the house to have morning tea and meet John.

John had them help to herd some horses back to the house and then began to teach them how to break a horse. It was so neat to see how he worked with the horses to help train them to be quiet riding horses.

Lunch was a great break before it was back to the breaking and then for a ride to muster some stallions back to the house. It was like they were on City Slickers. At one point Laura and Tatianna were sent to herd 7 horses back to the rest. They did well until there was a little creek that the horses went across. Tatinna’s horse went first and then almost stopped right after it got across. This was not good as Laura and her horse was travelling right behind so when it jumped she almost ran into Tatianna. Laura was trying to stop her horse as it was jumping but wasn’t able to so it was a less than graceful jump.

To end the work day Laura got to drive the ute to try and herd some mares and their colts. Her, Tatianna, and Bridget were called off the task by John (I guess herding horses with a ute is not Laura’s calling).

It was a great day working, laughing, riding, and sitting on the veranda enjoying the storm.