The old saying “behind every good stud there is a great women” has proved true again. In this issue we present an inside glimpse of the ladies behind this year’s Beef Congress Grand Champions, Kristine Dingle of Redline Brangus and Elaine Lill of Chadwick Downs. Ed….

Kristine Dingle

When asked to write an editorial about myself I was a bit reluctant, but after a bit of reflecting about what women do on the land, I decided to put pen to paper.

I grew up on a dairy farm 10km north of Monto. Life was never boring on the farm, always cows to be milked, calves to feed, pigs to feed, irrigation etc. As a child I loved riding horses and most of our spare time was spent riding horses with all the other local kids in the neighbourhood. Mum and dad had seven children of their own and a couple of the neighbour’s kids most weekends would have tested the most tolerant of people. But mum was a very patient person and she always instilled on us that our jobs had to be done first. My mum was an amazing lady, working side by side with my father running a dairy farm, maintaining a house, bringing up seven children and we always had good wholesome food on the table, and she did all of this without any complaining or fuss. Growing up on the dairy farm taught me to work hard, and these work ethics have helped me throughout my life.

Primary and secondary Education was completed in Monto at the Monto State Primary and Monto High School. I have fond memories of my school days. In particular my sporting achievements, winning Age Champion in athletics two years in a row and a bronze medal for high jump at the QE2 in Brisbane.

After finishing school, I moved to Bundaberg for a number of years, working as a receptionist at Bargara Beach Motor Inn and Don Panchos. My boyfriend Peter Dingle lived on his family’s property at Abercorn and finally I moved back to be with him. We got married in 1992, had a son – Kristopher Peter Dingle and settled down to married life on a beef property.

Due to drought, and with that, having no money, I decided to apply for the Admin Officer’s position at the Abercorn School. I was fortunate to get the admin job, a position I still hold today. For a number of years I worked full-time at the Eidsvold & Abercorn Schools and then transferred from Eidsvold to Mulgildie School. Whilst working for the Education Department I further my career by completing a Diploma in Frontline Business Management.

Even though I worked full-time off the land, I have been responsible for bookkeeping and advertising of our family business and helping out with the general running of the property where I could. I was also an active member of the Abercorn Parents and Citizen Association and held the Treasurers position for seven years.

In 2007 we purchased the family property from Peter’s parents and in 2010 we purchased Mally Plain the neighbouring property where we are currently living. With our stud and commercial operations growing, and more work commitments at home, I finally resigned from Mulgildie School and now I only work at the Abercorn School 2 days a week.

I enjoy my life working side by side with my husband Peter, our son Kristopher and Arnie Dingle – Peter’s father. As I write this article we have been busy weaning and educating our young weaners, vaccinating, NILS tagging and weighing weaners, dipping bulls ready to send to WA, bookwork - BAS, writing this article and one for Redline Brangus and feeding our Sale bulls morning and night. Even though life on the land can throw many hurdles at you, through drought, floods, fires, government legislation etc the love of the land keeps you fighting. Our drive to achieve and expand will hopefully benefit our next generation.

Click here to view originial article published in The Australian Brangus, Winter 2012

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