A passion for her team of 15 hardworking kelpies kicked off Pilbara cattle woman Aticia Grey’s photographic career.
Story By Aticia Grey
Three years ago Aticia Grey was taking such wonderful photos of the dogs just on her iPhone that she became a hit on social media and was soon selling individual images and calendars. She’s upgraded her equipment now, but the more expensive SLR still cops just as a rough time as she alternates between travelling on the road with her dogs, doing contract sheepwork, and working on the two family properties, which are 1200km apart. “I’m pretty hard on the gear because I take it with me wherever I go. It’s in the yards and bull wagon with me.” At this time of year, Aticia is based at the family’s main cattle station, 1920sq km Glenflorrie, near Paraburdoo, with its 4000 head roaming across rich buffel grass. “It’s pretty rough country – there’s a lot of rocks and spinifex,” the 28 year old says. “But it’ll fatten a broomstick when it’s had rain.” Aticia’s jobs at this time of year, with temperatures still regularly over 40°C, include yard-building in preparation for mustering, water runs – which take a minimum of four hours – and cooking for the crew. But wherever she is, she always has her camera by her side. “The red dirt is still flowing through my veins and this ruggedly picturesque cattle station I call home has never loosened its hold on me,” she says. “The response to my photos of our life in rural Australia has been incredible humbling and has kept me inspired and truly appreciating just how lucky we are living on the land.”
This story excerpt is from Issue #106
Outback Magazine: Apr/May 2016
