My Farming Week – Leanne Flanagan – Australian Diary

My name is Leanne Flanagan and I am a daughter of MED treasurer Francis Flanagan. I grew up on a family farm located at Ardees on the shores of Lough Erne, near Belleek, Co. Fermanagh. Upon finishing my education in Queens University Belfast I took up a post in a government office in Enniskillen.  Although this post was temporary, I enjoyed it very much but due to the fact that I would never become a permanent staff member, my boyfriend, Stephen and I, decided to take a year out and travel to Australia. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We travelled to Perth, Western Australia in September 2012 via Dubai.  The journey was not as gruelling as we had expected although I feel this may have been due to excitement combined with nerves.  We set ourselves up in the city of Perth as we had friends there, and stayed for a period of five months before moving to Albany (our current location). 

Initially we found it a bit of a shock, as we soon discovered it is not as previous travellers had told us. Gaining employment for a male is relatively easy as long as you are prepared to work hard, whereas for a female it is exceptionally difficult to secure a job.  Because I had a good education and administrative experience, I focused my job search to positions within Town and Country Planning as this was the field of study in which I graduated from university.  However I quickly realised I would not be eligible for these jobs with my lack of experience and thus began applying for jobs within administration.  There is intense competition for these jobs, and it took many weeks to eventually secure a position with an electrical company.  Due to this setback it meant I was unemployed for a period of nine weeks whereas Stephen was working within a week of our arrival.  Securing a job, allowed us the financial freedom finally to begin seeing the sights and attractions of Perth. 

We visited attractions such as CavershamWildlifePark, RottnestIsland, KingsPark and Botanical Gardens, The Perth Races, and visited the numerous beaches along the west coast.  The scenery of Perth and the West Coast is exceptional (even if you are young and have no interest in sightseeing).  Perth is a relatively small city and very easy to navigate around, and due to the large number of Irish already living here you will always meet people you know, and making new friends is an easy task.  We have met several other people we knew from home, mainly on nights out, and particularly over Christmas.  The Christmas period was very different to Ireland, due to the heat, and the majority of one’s time is spent either hosting a barbeque, or attending one, or spending the day on the beach.  Another celebration was Australia Day, at the end of January, a very similar day out to St. Patrick’s Day.  The main difference is that instead of a parade there is a huge fireworks display which lasts for approximately 45 minutes, and Perth is famous for its display every year.  It is said to be one of the best displays in Australia, and was definitely the best display I have seen. 

 

 

The weather in Perth was warm spring weather when we arrived in September however it quickly changed to very hot summer weather.  Peak temperatures occured over the Christmas/New Year period. We experienced 45 degrees heat on New Years Eve. 

 

January brought a new job for us, as we were offered the opportunity to complete a government based data collection survey throughout South West Australia, based primarily in Albany city.  This task spans hundreds of miles around the Albany region, and has afforded us the amazing opportunity of seeing the vast farming country. 

It has also allowed me the opportunity to meet the community of the area, in particular a gentleman, (Mr Wamsley) originally from Pettigo, Co. Donegal who left Ireland 63 years ago and has built up a very large successful business and farm during his lifetime in Albany.  He was extremely friendly and needless to say when he found out I was originally from Belleek, he began to relive his time in Ireland, telling me he remains in contact with several people and filling me in on his time in Australia.  He is the owner of a garden nursery and a huge farm, and whilst he felt he made the right move when he came to Australia he also felt it important to stress how much easier it was back then for him to settle and build a home, as the demand for land and work was much lower than it currently is.       

 

This location is the preferred farming region due to the weather; Albany has temperatures ranging from 25 degrees upwards in the summer months.  It also gets showers of rain rather than the droughts that exist throughout the Perth region and the Northern territory.  This moderate climate encourages growth.  Although we were not actually working on the farms, we have had to visit countless farms, and thus have spoken to many people.

 

The most notable differences of these farms compared to Ireland are the acreage size combined with the huge machinery used and the herd size.  For example one farmer kept a flock of sheep numbering 5000 head.  Another farmer told us he ran a small farm, by which he meant 6000 acres; he couldn’t understand that in Ireland a few hundred acres is considered a big farm.  The majority of farmers grow crops of barley, which is used to feed the animals, vastly reducing the outgoing costs associated with buying feeding.  Although grass growth is much better in these parts of Australia, it is still not lush enough to produce the quality cattle and sheep needed to sustain the herd or for market.  Therefore most of the farmers have to provide the animals with additional meal feeding and hay. 

 

Coming from a family which breeds Connemara ponies, I have a natural interest in the animals and constantly look for them throughout the countryside.  However I have yet to find a full bred Connemara, the majority of ponies here are part-bred, used mainly for riding.  It is very common for homes in the country here to have ponies/horses for their personal use, with few of them part-taking in the show circuit.  In addition I have noticed there are very few foals and young stock to be seen in the South West, as the bulk of breeding programmes occur further along the South Coast towards Esperance and Melbourne.  My opinion on the quality of the ponies I have seen to date is biased as I feel Ireland produces mainly quality animals however due to the different climate and feeding available it is understandable that there is a difference in the animals.      

This area also has lots to see and do, with attractions such as the Whaling Station (whales were brought in here and killed for oil, however this has stopped now), The Gap and Natural Bridge (similar to the Giants Causeway), and the Tree Top Walk.  The nightlife is very different to Perth as it is much quieter down here, but Albany is still a charming city worth a visit. 

We are due to move to Denmark in April where we will continue our work and travel experience, followed by Melbourne in May/June, and in July we will be travelling again as my sister will be visiting.  This is just a small account of the experience so far and no doubt our travels will continue to get better.  

For anyone considering travelling to Australia I would recommend the experience, however it is much easier if you have friends to come to and also if you can secure employment before you arrive it will leave you in a much happier position. In addition I would encourage speaking to people who have had the experience before you decide to go.