UNVEILING THE UNTOLD STORIES OF CATTLE INDUSTRY PIONEERS
Photo: Kim Gentle Credit: Supplied
Kim Gentle, a renowned community facilitator with a storied history of working alongside Indigenous groups in Australia, is now channelling her efforts into celebrating the unsung heroes of Australia’s cattle industry.
With a career marked by a dedication to cultural and community development, Gentle is turning her focus to the pioneers of droving whose resilience and ingenuity have shaped the cattle industry’s rich legacy.
Having previously lived in the Pilbara region and collaborated closely with the Ngarluma and Yinjabarndi peoples, Gentle’s current endeavours spotlight the remarkable individuals who have played a pivotal role in the development and sustainability of Australia’s cattle industry.
Her work involves honouring these figures and preserving their stories and contributions through comprehensive archival efforts and engaging exhibitions.
A close friend of Gentle’s, Frankie Holmes, is a prime example of the type of individual being celebrated. A senior Elder from Ampilatwatja, Holmes has dedicated his life to the cattle industry as a wringer.
His deep connection to the land and the cattle industry reflects the profound impact of drovers on the industry. “Frankie Holmes is a dear friend of mine. He’s one of our senior Elders from Ampilatwatja, and he’s had a long history with the land and stations and the cattle industry as a wringer,” Gentle remarked. “He’s just a magnificent person.”
The history of droving is a testament to perseverance and ingenuity. Drovers, often facing extreme conditions and working with limited resources, have been integral to the cattle industry’s growth.
Their work required physical endurance and a deep understanding of the land and the cattle they managed.
Gentle’s efforts to archive and display historical resources, including news articles and photographs, shed light on this vital aspect of Australian history.
Gentle’s work extends beyond Queensland and Darwin, involving collaboration with key figures like Ian Saltmere and Josie Rowlands.
These individuals are spearheading an initiative to highlight droving history, culminating in a series of features and exhibitions that celebrate the legacy of drovers and acknowledge the contributions of those who have been instrumental in the industry’s development.
Australian photographer David Prichard has also been instrumental in this project, capturing images that bring the history of cattle droving to life.
His work highlights the characterised of the droving era.
As Gentle succinctly puts it, “The key words I think of when I think of drovers are resilience, toughness, and necessity as the mother of invention.” Through her dedicated efforts, Kim Gentle ensures that the stories and contributions of Australia’s cattle industry pioneers are preserved and celebrated for future generations.
Photo: Josie Saltmere & Ian Saltmere Credit: David Prichard