By Katherine Cannon

Photographer Alice Mabin

has captured her unique experi-
ence of cattle droving in her
book titled The Drover.
Alice set out on a journey
from June last year, which cov-
ered a distance of 2000km over
two states, from Queensland to
New South Wales.
Alice, who resigned from her
job, went out for a day expecting
to drive along and take a few
snaps, but to her surprise, she
found herself saddling up a
horse and joining the drove.
After tracking down the
phone number of head drover
Bill Little she asked if she could
take photos of the drove one
weekend.
Alice, who hails from New
Zealand, is a Kiwi living and
working in outback Australia.
She has worked at various
properties around the country,
including properties in South
Australia, where shes managed
a lot of animal health pro-
grammes for property opera-
tions.
After last years severe
drought South Australian farmer
Tom Brinkworth purchased 18,
000 cattle.
The $8 million transaction
was the largest single purchase
in the history of Elders Live-
stock.
Having purchased the cattle,
the next concern was how to
transport them down from Win-
ton in Central Queensland to
Brinkworths Station, Uardry,
near Hay in New South Wales.
After tallying the sums, it
worked out the cost of trucking
the cattle was roughly the same
amount as walking them down.
The drove which lasted nine
months, consisted of nine mobs
that trekked thousands of kilo-
metres.
Alice spendt time with all
nine mobs over a five month pe-
riod on and off, where she cap-
tured the photos that are
presented in her first self pub-
lished book.
Alice said it was a challenge.
Droving the cattle was a
new experience for me, some-
thing Id never done before.
Some of the challenges that
arose were where the farmers
couldnt drove their cattle for
feed and water, due to various
council regulations.
Another challenge that Alice
found difficult was the people.
Some farmers thought she
was part of the media, however,
after much persuasion and a talk
over a cup of coffee, they even-
tually came around and became
comfortable with what she was
doing.
The drove came through
Parkes and Forbes, via the out-
skirts of the area, into Bogan
Gate, and Condobolin.
These local areas were some
of the places Alice says they
found difficult finding feed for
the cattle.
The enjoyable part of the
journey was it was great to get
back on a horse and develop a
relationship with the cattle.
I definitely had my
favourites, she said.
Alice wanted to tell the story
to make sure everyones efforts
in the drove was documented
and everyone could be appreci-
ated.
The Drover is now selling
at Parkes Newsagency.
4 | PARKES CHAMPION POST | Friday, July 18, 2014 | www.parkeschampionpost.com.au
Ooshka Baby and Kids Boutique are celebrating
their move to 234 Clarinda Street with a launch
party tomorrow from 10am to 4pm.
Ooshka has welcomed businesses Happy Home
Traders and Words Etc to the store.
Happy Home Traders offer an eclectic collection
of all things beautiful for you home, while Words
Etc produce bespoke designed stationery and prints.
Both businesses are a perfect match for Ooshkas
fresh and funky range of all things for babies and
children.
Owner Michelle Mellaney said they are all work-
ing mums who have a passion for small business.
We saw this as an opportunity to support each
other and showcase our individual products in one
location, Michelle said.
The response and support from the community
since we opened our doors almost four weeks ago
has been fantastic.
Ooshka has heaps happening instore tomorrow
and customers can win simply by walking in the
door!
We have an amazing lucky door prize up for
grabs which is valued at $374 and includes a Kip
and Co bedspread, Ahoy Trader Tile and a Words
Etc poster, Michelle said.
As a show of our appreciation Ooshka are also
offering 20% off storewide (excluding Incy) on Sat-
urday.
They have a huge range of quality brands in-
cluding Rock Your Baby, Sapling Child, Oishi-M,
Ahoy Traders, Lucky Boy Sunday, Il Tutto nappy
bags, Kip & Co, Words Etc prints and cards, Les
Folies Sophie the Giraffe, Urban Road, Mumma
Bubba Bling, Aden & Anais, Alimrose, OB De-
signs, Kantha Quilts, Jenny Krauss, Love to Dream
and Woombie.
And if its really a bargain youre after the side-
walk sale table will be set up in front of the shop
with heavily reduced items for sale from Oobi and
Rock Your Baby.
Happy Home Traders will also have discontin-
ued stock priced from $20 and under.
They will also be running a raffle for a woollen
Oishi-M jacket valued at $89.95 with all proceeds
going to the maternity unit at the Parkes Hospital.
Michelle said the kids dont miss out either,
there will be lolly bags and face painting to amuse
little ones.
We would love to see you Saturday, so why not
grab a friend come on down and enjoy a glass of
bubbles and some nibblies while browsing our
range, she said.
Big day of celebrations for Ooshka
Ooshka Baby and Kids Boutique have a fantastic day planned for Satur-
day. From 20% off store wide to face painting for the kids, there will be
something for everyone. Sub
Photographer, drover, author
Alice Mabin.
Alices book, The Drover, is the product of being months on the road droving 18,000 cattle from
Queensland to New South Wales. She shares her unique experience of being part of the epic
Brinkworth drove through the lens of her camera.
Federal Member for
Calare, John Cobb, is re-
minding community or-
ganisations to consider
funding available under
a revamped grants pro-
gram coordinated by the
Department of Social
Services (DSS).
Applications under
the new DSS grants
arrangements are due by
2pm, Wednesday, July
23.
They bring together
18 programs from five
former departments into
seven streamlined pro-
grams to capitalise on
common client needs
and reduce duplication.
Mr Cobb said these
grants support thou-
sands of local commu-
nity organisations
around the country.
They are for a range
of activities and pro-
grams such as financial
counselling, volunteer-
ing, multicultural
events, aged care im-
provements, disability
support, broadband for
seniors and tackling
problem gambling to
name a few, Mr Cobb
said.
I encourage local
organisations of all sizes
and backgrounds to
apply for funding under
the new arrangements.
Letters outlining the
new arrangements has
been sent from the De-
partment to current DSS
service providers.
The Department has
also placed two adver-
tisements in all major
national newspapers
providing details on the
programs with funding
available.
To assist organisa-
tions to see where serv-
ices fit within the new
programs, the Depart-
ment has developed the
DSS Grants Services
Map which illustrates
the types of services
available for funding in
the current application
process.
Applications can also
be submitted online,
using a simplified
process that reduces red
tape for applicants.
Further information
can be found at
www.dss.gov.au/grants
or contact the DSS
Grants Hotline on 1800
625 136.
Community grants up
for grabs but be quick