David Pollock’s story begins with his recollections of growing up in the outback on a vast station in Western Australia and goes on to tell of his overseas travel and young adult years. While this is not the essence of the book it provides a background to his love of the land and farming.
When his father retired from farming he invited both sons to provide an outline of how they would manage the property. David’s brother, the elder of the two and the son most likely to inherit the job proposed to continue in the manner that had been the way of life for generations. David, who had a kinship to the land rather than farming, proposed methods of regeneration and conservation through destocking and allowing the land and waterways to heal.
Australia is a country unlike any other; only truly understood by its indigenous people. Knowing no other method, the early European pioneers farmed the land the only way they knew how. Being passed down from generation to generation it has resulted in the degradation of this ancient land, extinction of Australian wildlife and continuing assumptions the old ways are the best ways. They knew no better but now there is a voice demanding a change.
It took over 10 years but under David’s new approach the land began to heal; water ran clear, overgrazing by kangaroos controlled, perennial plants (some David didn’t even know existed) grew again and the dingo was allowed to do its job controlling feral pests and protecting small native marsupials.
In his attempt to do the right thing for his land and its conservation and restoration, David time and again came up against bureaucracy. His constant battles would have most sane men surrender but David and his wife Francis keep fighting for what they believe in. He exposes the faults and maladministration of the bureaucratic systems governing pastoralism in WA.
As his mother did on a small scale, they opened their home to tourists to survive financially – yet another issue to fight the bureaucrats.
He admits and recognises his own mistakes and maintains his humour throughout writing candidly and honestly.
I now follow David and Francis’s work on social media and applaud every success they achieve and richly deserve.
The Pollock’s story is a lesson for every Australian.
I believe this book should be in every public and school library. Maybe if we start with making it essential reading for students in agriculture, animal husbandry and conservation our youth of today may discard the old practices and head down the Wooleen track.
Let’s not blame our early white Australian pioneers for trying to farm as they did in England – let’s just get on and the job of repairing this country done.
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