Bird's-eye view of the West

The Land has recently returned from a trip out west to bring you the stories of those living on some of the State's most isolated farms.

In the south we travelled from Wentworth to Pooncarie, and north we went west to Packsaddle and up to Dirranbandi, to sit down with local farmers over a cuppa to talk about their thoughts, fears and aspirations.

Topics ranged from keeping stock during dry times, to earning an extra income on the side to keep the farm ticking over.

They brought out family trees to show how the stations had stayed under the one name for generations.

The sheer size of the properties and the hearts of the farmers living along the Western Division opened discussion about issues that come with living so remotely; but we found they share the opinions of farmers living more centrally.

One stop on the map was Pooncarie to visit the Reids at Kinross Station.

They, like many others along the road, hope agriculture is an industry that becomes better recognised.

"People go to the supermarket like it's a paddock. But what goes in to getting that food there is phenomenal, and our livelihood," Rosemary Reid said.

The Border Stations feature will run in the May 29 edition of The Land.