She has a vision of better life on the land

Press, 12 April 1984, Page 16

She has a vision of better life on the land

JACQUELINE STEINCAMP

meets a farmer who is promoting rural skills among women.

A remarkable Australian cattlebreeder is visiting New Zealand — not for the Hereford Conference, but as a guest of Women in Agriculture (WAg). Rosemary Lucas, J.P., singlehandedly runs a 207hectare high country property near Armidale, in New South Wales. She has a mob of some 220-280 head of top-quality cattle, a small dairy herd, poultry, and the odd pig. A tough proposition for anyone, but even more so if that person is a single woman who delights in visitors; provides a home away from home for dozens of children; is involved in community projects; runs the closest thing to a farm training school there is; and is now involved in an organisation imparting farming skills to country women. Miss Lucas is secretary of a newly formed organisation called Rural Skills For Women. It has run Australia’s first agricultural field days for women, attracting media attention from three states. She is in New Zealand on a private visit, staying with members of the Women in Agriculture (WAg) network. She stayed with Isla and Bob McFadden of Cheviot during much of her Canterbury visit.

She is here to strengthen ties and understanding between farming women in both countries, and to see what ideas and skills can be shared.

A sturdy countrywoman with a weathered face and hearty handshake, Rosemary Lucas has an unassuming manner which belies her breadth of experience her organising abilities, and her vision of a better life on the land — for everyone. As a ’sos Junior Farmers’ Club member, Miss Lucas

won three state championships with her dairy cattle. She was top Junior Farmer in New South Wales in 1957, with a world tour as prize, visiting farms a,nd farmers in 18 countries.

In turn, Rosemary Lucas hosts visitors from many parts of the world, along with neighbours’ children, friends from Armidale, and all parts of Australia. “There are always visitors around — I had 27 in one day not so long ago,” she says. “It wouldn’t be possible if they didn’t fit in with what’s happening and pitch in and give a hand. People have to take me as they find me.” The possibilities for community radio to enhance personal growth and increase understanding is another interest for Miss Lucas.

Three years ago she fostered a problem boy, who has now found his feet by running a rock programme on Armidale’s community FM radio station. Last year, she took an eight week course in broadcasting skills, and hopes to put these to fuller use in the future.

When Rosemary Lucas bought “Sunray” in 1972, a soil test showed it to have the lowest pH level ever recorded in the area.

Massive expenditure was needed to bring it up to scratch, with fertiliser bills for sAust27,ooo, ?Austlo,ooo on fencing materials, and another ?AustlQ,ooo on repairs, two wells and a bore and in generally converting the property from sheep to an easy-care cattle and

cropping enterprise. At an altitude of 3334 ft, the area enjoys mild summers and often very cold winters, with temperatures down to —6deg C. To keep her cattle alive, Miss Lucas sent them out to be fed on to properties as far away as Dubbo and Queensland. The stock are now all back on “Sunray,” with no deaths from starvation or neglect.

A Charolais and Shorthorn breeder, she was fortunate to acquire a few of the original allocation of 2000 ampoules of Charolais semen allocated to Australia in the 19605.

By her choice of top quality Poll Shorthorn cows as dams, she built up a herd which she says combines the best qualities of both breeds. She considers that Charolais has done less well in Australia than it should, because many breeders used poor quality foundation stock.

Rosemary Lucas does not believe in trying to do everything herself. She employs contractors, and a tractor is her only major item of farm machinery.

Her most regular farmhands are “The Musterteers,” a group of children who come in on their horses and farm bikes. She repays their efforts with driving lessons, good food, and by providing a home-away-from-home.

“Not only do the ‘Musterteers’ get a good deal of practical experience in cattle handling, they are also helpful with plumbing, building, harvesting,

machinery repairs, and with looking after the poultry and pigs,” she says. “It’s a totally exclusive club made up of the neighbours’ children who come every week-end and during school holidays. Membership is eagerly sought, and there’s a waiting list of about ten at the present moment.”

Good manners from her youthful workforce are a top priority for Rosemary Lucas.

“Requests that are not accompanied by a polite ‘please’ are not dealt with till the next day,” she comments. “Our manners are well-nigh perfect as a result.” •

A friendly retired butcher does the killing and butchering for her home freezer. To add variety to meals she regularly pickles and cures meat, and can’t understand why this is not done more on New Zealand farms.

“It doesn’t take long; it’s easy to do — and what could be nicer than homecured pickled pork?” she asks.

Rosemary Lucas will be acquiring a husband and six ready-made children (most of whom are adult) in the near future. One thing’s for certain — they’ll all have fun at “Sunray.” Rosemary’s recipe for home curing of meat In a large, stainless steel container or new plastic rubbish bin, mix: lOlbs coarse salt 21bs brown sugar 21bs Giopowder lOgals water Soak meat from 3 to 5 days. Remove pieces, pat them dry, and freeze. Suitable for forequarters of pork, belly pork, tongues, beef brisket and silverside, lamb or mutton legs.