Rural Reflections #28

November 17, 2019November 17, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 4 Comments

Life does not get better with chance… it gets better with change. My life is about to change once again. Have you been at a crossroads in your life? Ever wondered which road to take this time?

We never know what is around that corner and we must make changes to move through life and experience interesting opportunities. Sometimes taking a chance… may just be the change we are looking for. But we must make it happen.

Drought is overloading us. Overloading my inner strength. Overloading my mind. The battle continues here in Tamworth, without rain, without feed and something is about to change. Making me question… why we all chip away at it every single day?

I am passionate about the agricultural industry… a future to secure for all Australians. But I am not giving up… I am about to make a change. Life is all about choices and decisions… right or wrong… who can say? It is us that controls our own choices. The drought may be cracking me around the edges, but it is no way going to break me.

Another choice we make. Unfortunate but necessary, we are dividing our farming property in two, and we will be selling one block. Finances can only stretch so far, as we all know over the last 2 years of drought. So we are down-sizing.

Hubby and I will remain here on one block… farming as usual. The other block “Porters” will be sold… 1650 acres of land… giving someone else an opportunity to love life here too. Like many farming decisions, at first, I felt a little disappointed. Then I felt comfortable with the decision, to have a plan in moving forward.

So whilst my hubby spends the days farming, I have decided to seek off-farm work and bring a new experience into my life. So many farming families have had to change their circumstances and still feel the struggle every day… juggling off-farm work into their life equation. But for me, since we are down-sizing, I have an opportunity to share my expertise further, in an industry that I choose.

Have you been making choices and decisions or questioning those choices? There are many opportunities before us, we just have to figure out what we need to do to make a difference. But the decision must be right for you, not for those onlookers from the outside. I am still passionate about this industry and I am still the same person… just making some life changes to work for me.

Today, I share with you this photo of the driveway on my property depicting “Porters” and the drive away to change. This image is the perfect metaphor for changes in life. It shows a green barley crop after a shower of rain in June, yet now it has sadly turned to dust. It is still a nice reminder of how quickly our land changes.

Rural Reflection #28…

image subject to copyright

We could sit back, struggle and complain about the drought, but NO. We can’t control the weather and farming is a gamble at times. But we do have control over our feelings, reactions and our response. We made a choice to do what we need to do.

Hubby is happy when on the land… and I am happy when anyone can find that passion within to do what they love. I believe life is made up of experiences. My next experience is about to unfold and I am excited.

What choices are you making to ensure you are passionate and committed to your life, inspiring those around you?

Take care, Karen.

“The pessimist complains about the wind;

the optimist expects it to change;

the realist adjusts the sails.

~ William Arthur Ward

Rural Reflections #20

May 12, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers, grandmothers and maternal figures in our lives… for shaping us into the wonderful people that we are. My greatest achievement in life has been my role as a loving mother and has given me so much joy over the years. Yes, there were plenty of tears as well… but the joy that our children bring is beyond comprehension.

I am very fortunate to also have a wonderful mother that loved me unconditionally, provided me with advice when needed, gave me the freedom to make my own mistakes and learn from them, instilled morals and ethics within my soul, and shares a mutual passion for helping others, showing kindness, compassion and connection within a community. She has been my guidance and her personality enriches me.

My passion for motherhood is the one thing that has driven me my whole entire life. Our children… wanting the best for them, allowing them the freedom to be themselves, encouraging their differences and providing love, understanding and support is at the heart of what a mother does.

Today, as I think about motherhood, my adult children, my own mother and all those mothers doing the best job they can… today is in honour of you and the important role you play in shaping the next generation.

It makes me proud to be a mother and know that I have brought another human being into this world… educated them, loved them unconditionally, guided them and proudly watched them develop into their own self. Whatever part of that journey you are on… enjoy the beautiful opportunities before you.

As I reflect on motherhood and my children, I decided to share this photo with you today. An image of a microlight within the sky, as one of my sons, comes back to land upon our property. My husband and our 2 sons, were taken above in 3 individual microlights for an aviation adventure one afternoon back in September 2011.

Rural Reflection #20…

image subject to copyright

An exciting adventure that each of them were fortunate to experience. The highlight was to see aerial views of our own farming property as well as surrounding farmland and towns. I was far too scared myself, to go up in these lightweight machines, but so happy to see my loved ones enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I love this photo of one of the microlights coming back home with the beautiful sunset shining a light upon them. The colours within the sky were beautiful as I snapped this image.

Sometimes in our lives, opportunities present themselves and it is up to us to take these opportunities and enjoy something different from the everyday routine in our lives. This photo depicts so much happiness for me, as I see my family members being brought back home safely and with excitement in their eyes and an appreciation for this unique experience.

Enjoy those special people in your life… for those that love you, for those that teach you and for those that uplift you. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers and maternal figures in our lives.

Take care, Karen.

“MOTHERHOOD

is a choice you make everyday

to put someone else’s happiness and well-being

ahead of your own

to teach the hard lessons

to do the right thing

even when you’re not sure what the right thing is…

and to forgive yourself

over and over again

for doing everything wrong.”

~ Donna Bell

Revel in Country Music at Australia’s #1 Festival

January 15, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

Get ready for Australia’s largest music festival starting in only 3 days. Tamworth NSW is famous for hosting the annual Toyota Country Music Festival in January each year. A festival where many renowned country music artists and thousands of fans flock from all over the nation and from abroad to our regional city for 10 whole days of fun, live music and entertainment.

Not only is this the largest music festival in Australia, but the second largest music festival in the world. WOW that is huge… 700 artists, at more than 2800 events across the city, over 10 days and nights. Starting Friday 18th January until Sunday 27th January 2019… there is something for everyone. And it is not too late!

The Tamworth Country Music Festival is a unique festival experience and attendance is free to all. There are free shows every night in Toyota Park (Bicentennial Park) for you to enjoy. Main streets are closed off for buskers, stalls, children’s activities and street performers. You can choose from over 2800 free and ticketed shows over the 10 days in the park, pubs, clubs and hotels around Tamworth. The Tamworth region is dynamic and in full festival swing.

The Country Music Festival is a family-friendly event, with free concerts in Toyota Park (Bicentennial Park) in Kable Avenue, the Toyota Country Music Fanzone stage in Fitzroy Street, busking and live entertainment for all ages. Bring the whole family and check out the Family Zone for rides, entertainment and more in Kable Avenue during the festival.

There are tickets available for gigs by performing artists in the lead-up and during the Country Music Festival. From live performances, entertainment, country music attractions and other festival activities… this annual event is not to be missed.

To name a few of the renowned performers for the 2019 Country Music Festival…. Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Travis Collins, Catherine Britt, Adam Brand and The Bushwackers.

If the red carpet tickles your fancy… the Golden Guitar Awards night is an opportunity to rub shoulders with the biggest names in country music and see them perform in one huge concert at the TRECC. This is the finale to the 10 day Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth 2019. The Golden Guitar Awards are the nation’s longest running music awards concert.

In search of the next Toyota Star Maker 2019… 10 of Australia’s top emerging country music artists will compete to become the 40th Toyota Star Maker winner at the Grand Final, the main event on the first Sunday of the festival. The 2018 Toyota Star Maker Winner last year was Brad Cox.

My husband and I did attend a few concerts and shows last year with some good friends. I remember enjoying Australian singer/songwriter Shane Nicholson at “The Pub” last year. We also laughed with friends at the “Longyard Hotel” when listening to the crazy antics of a fast-paced show with the Australian band The Bushwackers. After attending the free Opening Concert in the park and enjoying a variety of artists, I then purchased tickets to attend the “Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar” for Travis Collins show later in the week. I also love to walk around the Tamworth street stalls and listen to the variety of buskers… always finding a favourite.

If you are wanting something a little different, you can enjoy the excitement of the ABCRA National Finals Rodeo and Campdraft. A week of elite Rodeo and Campdraft action at Tamworth’s Australian Equine Livestock & Events Centre (AELEC) The thrill of cowboys competing for the buckle… highly experienced bucking stock, who thrive on dumping cowboy’s in the dust… and cowgirls upon their horses in a showdown after years of training. The dynamic energy will have you on the edge of your seat.

Another new 2-day event to provide an exciting, unique and new element to the Tamworth Country Music Festival for both tourists and locals… is the Great Australian Round Up. It is to be held at AELEC to celebrate our farming heritage and support our agricultural future. This is a charity event raising money for the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners and other vital rural services. Showcasing Australian country exhibitions and memorabilia from the legendary Longreach Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. The main event will include internationally renowned Guy McLean and his incredible stock horses, as seen on Australia’s Got Talent (see YouTube link for his audition). An elite Rodeo extravaganza will follow. Not only the excitement of rodeo action, The Great Australian Round Up rodeo will tell a story of the heritage of rodeo in Australia, highlighting its importance in today’s rural communities.

Tamworth country music attractions available all year round include the Big Golden Guitar, Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, Wax Museum, Galaxy of Stars, Roll of Renown and Hands of Fame.

Keep in mind, the Tamworth agricultural industry has been suffering the effects of drought on the land, so the businesses in town have felt this too. This annual festival is a chance for you to come and spend your money in Tamworth to support the local businesses who have suffered as a domino effect of this horrid drought. We have seen drought support across the nation, but now is your chance to help first hand and put money back into our rural community by attending this entertaining festival. We are all in this together and I hope that we can all enjoy some time-out, great music and entertainment galore.

So it doesn’t matter if you are seeking live country music entertainment, exciting country activities or sensational country events… it will all be here ready and waiting for you in Tamworth NSW. Come and see what the Tamworth region has to offer. Book your accommodation now and bring your family and friends, a hat, sunscreen, fold-up chair or picnic rug for outdoor concerts, photo ID for the pubs/clubs… and you will be ready for an experience you will never forget.

For more information see Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth 2019.

Take care, Karen.

“A good country song

takes a page out of somebody’s life

and puts it to music.”

~ Conway Twitty, American Country Music Singer