Just weeks into their livestock traineeships, Drew Read-Smith, Megan Nekel and Beth Stirling were given an opportunity most people in the industry would wait a lifetime for: a trip to Rawlinna Station, Australia’s largest sheep station.
Located in the remote Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, on the edge of the Nullarbor Plain, Rawlinna spans an extraordinary 10,000 square kilometres (more than one million hectares). Its scale and isolation make it one of the most unique pastoral operations in the country.
The trip was led by Wayne Peake, Livestock Sales Manager for the Western Region. The Elders team travelled to the station to assist with shearing preparations for the new owners, Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC). While on site, the team supported stock valuations and animal health work, including worm egg counts. This gave the trainees valuable hands-on exposure to large scale station operations.
“For the trainees, it was a fantastic opportunity to experience station life and build practical skills around stock valuing and drafting,” Wayne said.
“It was also a great chance to work alongside them in the field and run real, on the ground training.”
Despite its size, Rawlinna left a strong impression for how efficiently it operates.
“What really stands out is just how big it is, but also how well everything runs,” Wayne said.
“The teamwork on display was outstanding, and the appreciation we received for helping out made it incredibly rewarding.”
For livestock trainee Drew ReadSmith, the experience was both eye-opening and confidence building. Seeing the shearing shed in full operation for the first time offered a firsthand look at the efficiency required to manage livestock at scale.
“It was like a well oiled machine,” Drew said.
“Sheep were mustered, drafted and ready to be shorn the next day. The whole process flowed seamlessly.”
With limited prior sheep experience, being involved in work of that scale helped fast track Drew’s learning and confidence.
The Rawlinna visit forms part of Elders’ broader full service offering to the station. Two livestock production agents also scheduled to head out later this month, further supporting operations on the ground.
For Drew, Megan and Beth, the experience delivered more than technical skills, it provided perspective, confidence and a powerful start to their careers with Elders.
This visit follows the recent announcement of Jumbuck Pastoral and Consolidated Pastoral Company entering into a sale and purchase agreement for the iconic property.