The Long Paddock

Tim, Linda, and John Sypher are a metonym for many – if not most – Australian farmers. Forced to leave their grassless family farms – some of which have remained under one name for over a century – by the worst drought this country has seen, they are three of countless drovers who’ve resisted the temptation to sell up and move out, who are fighting to keep alive the way of life they know and love. When their 16,400-acre property became so dry that the only thing growing was the poisonous Pimelea weed, Tim and Linda decided to sell their 500 cattle. This was until they were told their undernourished herd was more of a liability than an asset. “We had two options,” says Tim. “Either put them on the road or sell them, and at the time they weren’t worth too much money because they were too light. The only thing to do was put them on the road to strengthen them up and get them back in better condition.” That was twelve months ago. Since then, the Syphers have moved in a 150 km-wide circle on the edge of the Outback, following the elusive rain clouds that keep the area barely functioning. Each afternoon they set up a temporary fence where they herd the cattle, before retiring to their caravan for the evening. For the first two months John missed his year 10 studies to help his parents, and he’s since left school to work with cattle full-time. Though the current drought’s been affecting rural farmers since 2001 , the rest of Australia’s population (the majority of whom live in coastal areas) have only just begun to realise its affects in other areas. Tough times for farmers mean tough times for consumers, as food prices increase with a shortage in supply . Rising oil prices increase production and transport costs, while less expensive overseas produce undercuts domestic farmers, pressuring them to lower their prices and thus, their profits. Living with and documenting the Syphers between February and May 2007, I’ve realised their story is less about bleeding hearts than it is of doggedness in one of the world’s harshest environments. Time spent with them has proved the things that remain most intact in this situation are the Syphers’ sense of humour and dignity. Pity isn’t much use to them, unless it can fall as rain—if you can’t bring rain, then you better bring a pack of beer and a few laughs.

Linda Sypher re… The Syphers' ca… After filling p… Leonie Scott, a… Feeding time. John Sypher pic… Tim and Kurt, a… After a horse t… Born blind with… John Sypher clo… Vinnie Ciancio … Leonie Scott mo… Street Socceroo…

Keywords drover cattle farm bush roma australia drought herd nomad