This episode was recorded as part of a Centralian Land Management Association project - which they have kindly shared with our listeners.

In this episode, we hear from John Hagan — someone who knows the Territory not just by map, but by memory.

Over the course of 87 years, John has witnessed the Territory change in ways few others can truly grasp. Raised on cattle stations in the VRD during World War II, he came of age in a time when cattle were still walked thousands of kilometres to market.

He travelled vast distances across the Territory, Queensland and South Australia as a drover, working first for Peter Sherwin, before later going out on his own.

At just 27 years of age, John stepped into the role of manager at Brunchilly Station, where he spent the next 26 years quietly transforming it into a benchmark operation on the Barkly.

John has spent his life on horseback, in stock camps, and behind the scenes — quietly contributing to the backbone of Australia’s pastoral industry. It’s a story not of fanfare, but of grit, commitment, and deep knowledge earned the hard way.

Red Centre Reflections is a Centralian Land Management Association project, supported by FRRR through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

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