MUSTERING days are a family affair on "Congarrara".
Dan and Sally Muenster have three children - a son, Sydney, 5, and two daughters, Arabella, 3, and Clementine, 18 months - and all have a role to play.
Mr Muenster takes the lead in the chopper finding and directing goats towards his "right-hand man", Greg Simmonds, Bourke, on the ground on a motorbike and another employee or two, depending on the size of the job.
Despite his age, Syd is keen to join the action and already handles his PeeWee 50 bike like a pro - closely monitored by Mr Simmonds.
Mrs Muenster packs up her daughters, along with cool drinks, and heads out in the ute as ground support, assisting when needed.
Everybody is linked by two-way radio allowing Mr Muenster to direct from the air.
As well as helping with day-to-day jobs outside the home as needed, Mrs Muenster is responsible for the office work - recording stock movements and ensuring clients are paid on time.
She described juggling her workload with the children as a challenge at times - "we have no family nearby to help with the children".
Both in their early 30s, the Muensters have their sights firmly set on making a success of the venture and are passionate about what they're doing.
The couple both hailed from South Australia, where their families are still located.
Mr Munster spent his early years jackerooing and undertaking contract work at Booligal, north of Hay in the western Riverina, while Mrs Muenster was a teacher previously working at both Booligal and Hillston.
Keen on a country lifestyle operating their own business, the Muens- ters searched Australia for a property they could afford with their savings.
The main attraction on "Congarrara" was its affordability, along with its reliable water supply.
"The property is located in one of the last areas in Australia where land is affordable to run the amount of stock we need to remain viable," Mr Muenster said.
"This is an isolated location but we don't really feel that - we love the lifestyle," he said.
"There are few young people left in the bush these days - most can't afford a start - but we wouldn't be here doing what we're doing unless we could think outside the square.
"There's not the money there used to be in traditional farming these days - most people have to rely on off-farm income."
Mr Muenster said when they arrived, "Congarrara" could not generate the money needed to develop it.
"Only the goats have been profitable and gradually paid for the fencing and water system, the chopper and the renovations we're undertaking at the homestead.
"Any profit we have re-invested in the property," he said.
