stuartwalmsley.com

stuartwalmsley.com Stuart Walmsley is a content producer based in central Victoria, with more than 20 years experience

The latest film in my series for Weddin Landcare's Over The Fence project is now live at this link: https://youtu.be/pBo...
30/07/2026

The latest film in my series for Weddin Landcare's Over The Fence project is now live at this link: https://youtu.be/pBodUZM5zEY

This story profiles Stephen, Melanie and Trevor Cooper, who farm 'Myall Park' at Caragabal, 40km west of Grenfell, NSW.

Melanie is one of the most community-focussed, pro-active people I've met in the course of my work. She has been the Weddin Landcare Coordinator since 2020, volunteers on countless local committees and is exactly the type of person who holds regional communities together.

Husband Stephen is part of a family which has farmed at Caragabal for almost a century, and his father Trevor has always been considered progressive and innovative, which is part of the reason they've prevailed.

As their agronomist Kirrily Condon explains, the Coopers make an effective team with their varied skillsets, and are an example of different generations and ideologies finding a way to achieve a common goal.

They have made significant changes to their cropping practices and improving soil health under the guidance of the Condons, which Kirrily reviews perfectly, and Melanie defines the future of the farm in one word; 'diversity'.

I've also incorporated some fascinating old footage shot by Trevor's father Clarence, which shows what life looked like around Caragabal when the area was made up of smaller blocks exclusively farmed by families.

As farms expand to stay viable, families inevitably leave the district, and communities like Caragabal are unfortunately shrinking. This has obvious flow-on effects for schools, businesses and social connection - but also the stewardship of the land.

It’s incredibly important that we support farmers who care about their land, the food they produce, and continually improve their systems for the benefit of the landscape and human health.

Weddin Landcare’s Over The Fence project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.

02/07/2026

Follow the link to view my latest work for CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes - CCWF, which updates the organisation's ground-breaking Men's Behaviour Change Program (MCBP).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMSNvQkrMAU

The MBCP helps men who use violence against women change their behaviours and, ultimately, make regional communities safer.

In 2021, I documented the pilot MCBP program in Parkes, and that film helped secure funding for the program's expansion throughout central and western NSW. It now runs in Forbes, Parkes, Narromine, Condobolin, Bourke and Cobar.

In this film, we focus on the facilitators, many of whom are also survivors of domestic violence. The work they do is heroic, and I am in awe of their strength and the compassion they have for participants, who often haven't ever been shown how to regulate their emotions.

Men gradually unpack the reasons why they react violently, begin to understand the negative impacts of that behaviour, and generally become far safer partners and fathers.

The rates of domestic violence in regional and remote communities are shocking, and we also know much goes unreported, due to the fear and isolation victims feel.

Support for women and children in these situations is crucial but, until we address the violent behaviour of men, we really aren't getting to the root of the problem.

Sitting with these men in group has also made me a better partner, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from people like Rebecca Lee.

Her work has improved the lives of countless men, not to mention the ripple effect of that behavioural change throughout their families and on the next generation.

I spent the winter solstice this year warmed by various heat sources at Frost And Fire, which I shot for Forbes Shire Co...
27/06/2026

I spent the winter solstice this year warmed by various heat sources at Frost And Fire, which I shot for Forbes Shire Council and Amazing Forbes NSW.

This was a very 'cool' event, staged by Lake Forbes, and headlined by the evergreen Diesel Music.

So nice to see familiar faces amid the good vibes, warm light, bubbles, music, fire breathing and effigies, which prompted some Burning Man flashbacks. Good ones.

Thanks also to Mike at Bulla Creek Brewing for delivering my care package, which is getting me through Central Victoria's mid-winter chill.

My second mini documentary for Weddin Landcare’s Over The Fence project is now live at this link: https://youtu.be/9LXJE...
25/06/2026

My second mini documentary for Weddin Landcare’s Over The Fence project is now live at this link: https://youtu.be/9LXJE5jtgIQ

This film shares the story of Jake Chandler and his partner Gemma Wilkinson who farm ‘Tumbleton’ near Wombat, NSW, with Gemma's parents Bruce and Tracey.

Gemma is continuing her family’s legacy as the fourth generation of women to farm the property, and Bruce and Tracey are still heavily involved. This four-way, multi-generational partnership has its challenges, but the family has developed clear strategies to keep everyone informed, engaged and heard.

Their shared vision, underpinned by strong environmental values, guides their management decisions and prioritises landscape health - with profit seen as an outcome, rather than the driver.

Together, the family has made significant changes to improve soil health, with a focus on grazing and groundcover management, and replacing artificial chemicals and fertilisers with biological alternatives. They have also invested in training and professional development, drawing on independent advisors and a growing network of like-minded people to strengthen their business, production and sustainability.

Jake also reflects on the bigger picture: the global responsibility farmers have to produce healthy food while caring for the landscape. It's often too overwhelming for an individual to be able to see their role in this, but it's clearly a big part of what drives Jake, and I don't think I've heard a better synopsis of the collective impact farmers can have in securing out future.

Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc

15/06/2026

I spend a lot of time filming on farms throughout south-eastern Australia, and Bromar Engineering's machinery is everywhere.

All this equipment comes out of a workshop in my home town of Grenfell, NSW, and it's a nice reminder of my roots, whichever dusty paddock I happen to be in.

Farmer Mark Liebich started the company in his machinery shed in the early 1990s, and the business is now one of the main employers in town, providing crucial job opportunities and keeping young people in the community.

This year I've started shooting some films for Bromar and, of all their products, this multifeeder is the one I see most regularly.

I don't know how many of them they churn out a year, but they are spread far and wide across Australia, feeding thousands of sheep and providing drone shots for days.

Thanks to Paul Tognetti of 'Myee' for providing the farm (and sheep) for this film, and classic Weddin Mountain views.

Follow the link to view my first mini doco for Weddin Landcare’s Over The Fence project, which profiles Graham and Lynne...
25/05/2026

Follow the link to view my first mini doco for Weddin Landcare’s Over The Fence project, which profiles Graham and Lynne Watt of Greenethorpe, NSW. https://youtu.be/Wa8_r8NthrI

Graham and Lynne’s story is one of deep love and connection with the land and a balanced approach to farming life.

Rearing cattle is what lights Graham up, and he has perfected a holistic management system over the decades which allows him to produce prime beef, while also improving the health of the environment.

But the Watts are currently grappling with the issue of farm succession, and potentially leaving the land they love.

They tragically lost their eldest son Jack in 2024 and their other children are currently pursuing careers far beyond the Weddin Shire.

Their resilience has been truly tested as they ponder their future, their legacy and face up to the simple fact that you can’t farm forever.

It was a privilege to tell Graham and Lynne’s story, and I was moved by their willingness to speak so openly about Jack’s death, and the seismic impact it has had on their family.

I know their situation will resonate with many other families in regional Australia, which is one of the intentions of this project.

Sometimes the benefit of connecting with other farmers is purely the comfort of knowing that you’re not alone, and others out there are facing similar challenges.

21/05/2026

This is a preview post for a huge project I have been working on for Weddin Landcare, profiling six farming families around my home town of Grenfell, NSW.

The first of these short documentaries will be published next week and I'm super excited to start sharing them.

Pulling off a storytelling project like this as a one-man band has been challenging, professionally and personally, but I'm extremely proud of the finished films.

The project was the brainchild of a former neighbour and schoolmate, Melanie Cooper (nee Diprose), who works for Weddin Landcare and farms with husband Stephen 40km west of Grenfell.

Melanie did the hard yards putting together a successful funding application to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Natural Heritage Trust, and then asked if I was interested in delivering the project.

The films are part of Weddin Landcare's 'Over The Fence' initiative, which seeks to inform and connect farmers about the challenges and benefits of changing practices, promote climate-smart ag solutions and create a supportive community.

They do this through on-farm 'field days' and myriad other events. The films are an extension of that initiative, and needed to promote the Landcare ethos, but I have tried to achieve this through an authentic telling of each family's story.

The stories are locally relevant, but the topics discussed are applicable to producers across Australia. Farming businesses face such a unique set of challenges; often asset rich, cash poor operations at the mercy of the elements, market fluctuations and global crises over which they have no control.

Farming is also deeply emotional, and all these families feel genuine connection to the land that supports them. Throw in succession, isolation, debt and the responsibility of feeding the world, and you've got some powerful storylines. Who needs reality TV, when you've got reality?

On this day 10 years ago I managed to convince this bunch of maniacs to stage a scratch match on the manicured turf of O...
11/05/2026

On this day 10 years ago I managed to convince this bunch of maniacs to stage a scratch match on the manicured turf of Oakley Amateur Picnic Race Club.

The crew all had a loose affiliation with - and we shot this as a promo for the annual tournament in outback Queensland.

The following day I covered Kooroorinya Races for before driving 11 hours south east to the Banana Shire for Ladies Day at Dawson Valley Drovers.

I saw my first brolgas on that drive, and had a close encounter with the biggest goanna I've ever seen during a p*e stop near Muttaburra.

On the Sunday I covered a community rugby gala day in Rockhampton, and by the end of the following week I'd had shoots in Darwin, Bourke, Narromine, Cobar and Trangie.

I think I produced about a decade's worth of community content that season - so it's little wonder Rugby Australia are still using many of the images.

Could be time for an update, ?

Research shows that there is 'broad acceptance' in Australia that we must transition to a nation that is largely powered...
27/04/2026

Research shows that there is 'broad acceptance' in Australia that we must transition to a nation that is largely powered by renewable energy.

But the impact of this transition is far greater on those living in regional areas, where most wind and solar projects are located, and farmers are understandably concerned about the loss of prime agricultural land.

I spent a couple of days recently with Guardian Australia reporter Benita Kolovos in and around the western Victoria renewable energy zone.

We listened to many locals, and learned about the good, bad and ugly ways government and industry have engaged about compulsory acquisition, compensation, and consultation.

I now have a much deeper understanding of this issue and what I learned is you shouldn't underestimate the power of an in-person conversation over a cup of tea in a farmer's kitchen.

It's how the big deals are done out here.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/25/fast-tracking-or-ploughing-through-renewable-energy-shaping-up-as-defining-issue-for-victorian-election

Address

Malkin Avenue
Underbool, VIC
3509

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when stuartwalmsley.com posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category