From Tocumwal student to Top End ringer

By Carly Marriott

Sep 29, 2023

Millie Locke (left) and Bridget O'Dwyer mustering Wagyu during their gap year near Charters Towers.

This time last year, Millie Locke was a Year 12 student from a farm near Tocumwal.

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Today, she’s a ringer from the Top End who has the calloused hands to prove that doing a gap year on a cattle station is a sure-fire way to grow up.

“I’ve learnt a lot this year, I’ve been outside my comfort zone and away from my family and I know what it means to be exhausted after a hard day’s work,” Millie said.

Millie, with her best mate Bridget O’Dwyer from Shepparton, are living with a team of fellow ringers, two hours out of Charters Towers on a 97,000-hectare Wagyu breeding station.

This intensive operation has been a baptism of fire for the pair of school leavers who both hope to pursue tertiary studies in veterinary science and agriculture in the future.

“We’re in the thick of mustering and bringing in weaners,” Millie said.

“We draft them off their mothers, preg test the cows, vaccinate and drench them and then train the weaners. That involves running them through the yards to get them used to it and quiet them down.”

Blue skies and big hats at the end of a long day on horseback in Far North Queensland.

When Country News spoke to Millie she’d finished another long day of dusty work in the yards.

“It’s such beautiful country and the people are great,” she said.

“I’ve had to do some tough things that are mentally challenging, but afterwards I’m proud of myself — whether it’s out mustering on bikes or just getting through big days processing cattle.”

Millie believes the practical experience she has gained and the animal knowledge she is developing will be hugely helpful when she goes on to study veterinary science.

“I’m learning so much about animal handling, welfare and AI. Before we head home in November we have calves to brand, which is a big job.”

Despite the fatigue and the expected bouts of homesickness, the girls have the job in hand and agree they have ‘no regrets’ chasing the outback dream.