257: From drought, to depression & rage - a candid conversation with Steph Schmidt

Ingrid Matthews and her husband manage 4 beef cattle stations in Northwestern Queensland. They also have 4 kids, aged 12, 10, 7 and 6. But Ingrid and her youngest daughter Olivia have spent 6 weeks maximum at home over the last 15 months. Olivia is living with a chronic condition she was born with that impacts her stomach and her blood sugars. When she was just 8 days old she was rushed into surgery. And there were many more after that. These surgeries take place some 700kms away from their home and often see Ingrid away from her older children for weeks and months on end. When Olivia was 10 months old, Ingrid left for what she thought would be a 2 week stay in hospital. But they didn’t return for 10 months, and during that time she only saw her older kids 4 times. Now at 6 years old, Ingrid never knows when Olivia is going to need to go to hospital. During this interview Ingrid had to stop and check her blood sugars to make sure that they were stable enough. The mental load on Ingrid’s shoulders is huge but her strength shines through. Despite immense challenges, she somehow still manages to meet her family's needs. But, not always her own. This is her story.Thanks to our Autumn sponsor Telstra, cyber support is available to regional small businesses for free. Cyber Wardens is a cyber security program run by the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) with the support of Telstra. It helps regional small business owners and their teams learn how to protect themselves from cyber threats. To learn more about Telstra's work with the Cyber Warden's Program CLICK HERE. We are so excited to introduce Heritage 365 by our incredible partner, CABLE.  This Woolmark-certified knitwear collection celebrates Australia’s iconic Merino wool with timeless pieces like cardigans, jumpers, singlets, beanies, and gloves—available year-round in Cable stores and online 365 days a year. To explore the new Heritage 365 collection CLICK HEREhttps://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Dr Rebecca West grew up in England—far from red dirt, heatwaves, and the howls of wild animals echoing through desert nights. She never imagined that by 40, she’d be raising three young children on one of the most remote properties in New South Wales, 450 kilometres from the nearest supermarket and hospital. But since 2017, Rebecca and her husband Reece—both ecologists—have called the edge of the Strzelecki Desert home. Together, they manage an ambitious conservation project on 86,000 acres in Sturt National Park, rewilding a former sheep station and reintroducing native species like bilbies, pushing back against Australia’s extinction crisis. It’s ground breaking work. But it’s also life lived at the edge—where parenting and working without childcare centres, isolation, and the wild beauty of the land all collide. So what is it like being the most remote family in New South Wales whilst raising kids in the desert and trying to bring our endangered animals back from the brink? This is Rebecca West’s story.Our Autumn sponsor Telstra proudly partners with the ICPA to advocate for education equity by continually working on improved connectivity and communication for students and their families in rural and remote areas, particularly focusing on those relying on fixed land lines. To learn more about Telstra’s work with the ICPA and ‘RRed day’ CLICK HEREThe Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW is the largest women’s organisation in Australia, supporting NSW and ACT rural, remote and regional communities for more than 100 years – and they'd love you to JOIN THEM! Contact your local branch for more information, CLICK HERE to become a member today. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Nicky Prosser lives on a station in the middle of South Australia that spans 1.2 million acres. She’s spent a lot of her life travelling around the state working in remote areas as a teacher and a principal. When Nicky was living in Maree, she met her property manager husband Nathan. They underwent one round of IVF to have their now 18-year old son, Ned. But now, at 50, Nicky is looking down the barrel of a possible heart and lung transplant due to a condition she was born with. But when you have a lung transplant, it’s often the case that the lungs don’t last longer than 10 years, and as Nicky says, she’s not quite ready to tap out of her life at 60. So she quit her job, moved away from her son and joined her husband in the middle of the outback with three dogs and 30,000 sheep. Because when the time comes for her to get new lungs, she’ll need to be living in Adelaide. Nicky has a great outlook on life, and her story is full of hope and a lot of love. This is her story. Our Autumn sponsor Telstra delivers some amazing programs through the Telstra Foundation. Telstra Foundation with the support of its Youth Advisory Council, partners with for-purpose organisations to deliver “tech and youth” focussed programs and resources in regional and remote areas. To learn more, head to:  https://telstrafoundation.com                      Sign-up to the The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW in April for a reduced rate on membership. Contact your local branch for more information, or CLICK HERE to become a member today. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Steph is a farmer, psychologist, and mum of three little boys who lives on a property in Worlds End, in South Australia. And right now, it kind of looks like the Worlds End is near because the state is in the midst of a horrific drought. Two weeks ago we released a bonus episode about the floods in central Queensland -  today, I’m sharing a story from the other end of the spectrum. Steph and her husband and their three little boys are feeding their sheep daily. They are in desperate need for rain across their properties and are starting to feel the impact of no rain, not only financially but also on their mental health. And on the days her kids want to tap out of farming, she has to remind them of the realities of a drought. Steph and I had a wide ranging conversation about drought, mental health and more specifically maternal mental health - because as we can all acknowledge, there is a lot of pressure on rural families right now. But we also talk about her experience with postnatal depression, rage, ADHD, parenting three little boys and the importance of looking after yourself as a mother. This is her story. Lifeline 13 11 144Beyond Blue 1300 224 636PANDA 1300 726 306Our Autumn sponsor Telstra are clear on their purpose for connecting regional, rural and remote Australian families just like yours. Do you think you know Telstra? To learn more CLICK HERESign-up to the The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW in April for a reduced rate on membership. Contact your local branch for more information, or CLICK HERE to become a member today.   https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

When I say the name Liz Ellis, you probably think one of three things:One of the greatest Netballers our country has ever seen A very funny media commentatorThe winner of I’m A Celebrity Get Me out of here a few years ago.What you probably don’t think of is Liz Ellis the farmer. Liz, her husband of 25 years, Matthew, and their two children live on a farm in between Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay growing beef cattle. Liz and Matthew bought the land 14 years ago when their professional sporting careers came to an end, Matthew as a former Waratahs rugby union player, and Liz as the captain of the Australian Netball team the Diamonds. Liz’s road to motherhood wasn’t as simple as she had initially thought. After falling pregnant easily with her daughter, Liz thought she’d be able to fall pregnant again with her second child. But after 3 miscarriages and IVF treatment, Liz and Matthew were ready to give up. But then, along came her son, in his own time. On this episode, Liz and I chat about it all - including farming, fertility, motherhood, and menopause. We look forward to sharing more from our autumn sponsor Telstra and their initiatives, programs, helpful tools and changes in regional technology impacting the lives of rural Australian families.  Do you think you know Telstra? To learn more head to: https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/telstra-regional-australia The Country Women’s Association of NSW has been supporting regional, rural and remote women, children and their communities for over 100 years and they want to keep that voice and diversity of membership strong into the future. Sign-up in April for a reduced rate on membership. Contact your local branch or head to: https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/join to become a member today. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Outback Queensland is in crisis. An area more than double the size of Victoria has been hit by devastating floods not seen in 50 years. Properties have been inundated, More than 150,000 livestock have perished, with the death toll rising. Farmers are scrambling to save cattle, feed cattle, and salvage what they can. Behind the headlines, are the true stories of this unfolding crisis- the rural families at breaking point because of the emotional toll - the financial one is not something they’re even able to comprehend yet. And through it all- mothers continue to mother. Because they have no choice. Shona Underwood is a rural mum who is right in the thick of this catastrophe- she lives on a station between Quilpie and Windorah. The deluge came without warning in the night, as her and her husband scrambled to evacuate with two of their young children. Not only are you going to hear the incredible story of one of the most extraordinary rural mums I’ve ever spoken to, you're also going to hear some of the key issues affecting rural families in the floods right now. The things you don’t hear on the news. This is Shona’s story. Lifeline 13 11 144Beyond Blue 1300 224 6361300 MH CALL (1300 642 255)1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)PANDA 1300 726 3061800 4 WOMEN (1800 496 636)Rural Aid 1300 175 594https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Em Armstrong is a glass half full kind of person. She’s one of those people who oozes positivity, you can see it on her socials, and hear it in her voice. Growing up in New South Wales’ Riverina district on a sheep grazing property, Em has always loved the bush. And she’s always been connected to it. Em has worked on stations in the Northern Territory, and lived in Sydney for five years. But it’s when she returned to the Riverina to move in with her now husband Hamish that she really found her calling. In 2018 she completed her yoga teacher training, and she started Saltbush Stretch, a yoga and pilates studio in Hay NSW, and an online fitness hub. And while building her business, Em and Hamish decided to start trying for a family. But that part hasn’t been as simple. After two years of trying to fall pregnant, they booked in to see a fertility specialist. But the week Em was meant to have an operation, she found out she was pregnant… with twins. However after the 12 week scan, Em tragically lost one of her babies. But thankfully, one of them survived - their son Ted. Now, three years on, Em and Hamish are trying to expand their family, but it hasn’t been without trials. At just 31, Em has the egg count of someone in perimenopause. But, there’s still hope. Her fertility journey, while heartbreaking, is also full of perhaps the most positive attitude I’ve ever encountered. Despite everything, she’s not giving up hope. This is Em Armstrong’s story.A final thank you to our seasonal partner nbn for an incredible summer podcast season. nbn is committed to bridging the digital divide by ensuring that, no matter where we live in regional, rural and remote Australia, we are connected. To learn more about their commitment to regional and remote Australia in 2025 - click here to read this reporthttps://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

After Rosie Clements spent her gap year as a Jillaroo in the Northern Territory she knew she wanted a career that would enable her to help people in the bush. After starting degrees in law and teaching, Rosie finally landed on the right one for her... medicine. Now, she’s the only permanent GP in the Cunnamulla region in remote Queensland. She’s 500km from a CT scanner and 200 km from an ultrasound machine. So when she sees a patient, she needs to have a few backup plans! Rosie is also the mum of Lydia, who is 4 and Fergus who is 2. And while she had an easy baby in Lydia, things were a little different with Fergus and Rosie really struggled. Rosie is a remarkable woman, and she’s extremely open about the realities of motherhood in the bush and life as a remote GP. In our chat we talk a lot not only about her own journey - but about the state of healthcare across rural Australia. This is her story.And just a heads up this episode touches on post-natal depression and anxiety, if you need help, contact the PANDA National Helpline on 1300 726 306, or for urgent help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.Our summer sponsor, nbn, values their partnership with the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA), and their strong alliances with the Regional Tech Hub, and BIRRR (Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia) to collectively support and drive change for rural and remote families.Isolated Children’s Parents' Association (ICPA):Website: https://icpa.com.auProvides resources and advocacy for rural and remote families, including education and connectivity support.Regional Tech Hub:Website: https://www.regionaltechhub.org.auOffers free advice, resources, and guidance to improve internet connections and digital skills for rural communities.BIRRR (Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia):Website: https://www.birrr.org.auSupports rural families by addressing connectivity issues and providing resources for better internet access.https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Phoebe White has had a lot of titles and lived in a lot of places in her 35 years. She’s been a PE Teacher in Sydney. A Fashion stylist in London. A High-profile real estate agent in Miami. But it’s the two she’s been given in the past eight years that light up her life, and have brought her home. The first is being a mum to her two daughters Camilla and Olympia, and the second, is being the custodian of a Mountain near her family’s property outside of Scone, NSW. Phoebe’s family have been farmers for 7 generations on “Belletrees” - one of Australia’s most famous rural properties. And she is the third generation to inherit Mount Woolooma, a piece of land with an architect-designed residence her grandparents commissioned as their own private retreat in the 70s. Now, the house on Mount Woolooma, the Woolooma Glass House, offers luxury accommodation on the side of the Mountain, and Phoebe and her husband Jonathan, Elle McPherson’s former wellness coach, run it. So how do you adjust from living the high life in Miami with supermodels as friends to running a family business in rural Australia? And what’s it like inheriting a mountain while raising your two young daughters? This is Phoebe White’s story.Connectivity for remote learning, telehealth services, business, work and keeping in-touch is vital. Thanks to the nbn Sky Muster services, remote families can now access an affordable and fast network. To learn more about nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium satellite services, click here. https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Weeks before Sonja Chrystal was born, her father was in a farming accident and became a paraplegic. Months after she was born, her mother packed her bags and left her paralysed husband and two little girls, and never returned. Her dad and her grandparents raised Sonja and her sister on a cropping and grazing property in the central west of NSW before Sonja found herself living and working in Sydney as a graphic designer. It was there that she met her fiance Jeremy, and the father of her son, Herbie, who just turned one. After her dad passed away, Sonja and her non-farmer husband decided to trade their life in Sydney’s Paddington and moved an hour from Dubbo so Sonja could run the family property. While running the property, Sonja and Jeremey decided to start trying for a baby. Things weren’t as simple as they hoped and after an operation, Sonja was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis. After booking in for a round of IVF, she then found out she was pregnant. Herbie was born in February 2024, but Sonja had never felt more alone. Sonja is a truly remarkable person and her story is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. From her incredibly unique upbringing, what it was like growing up without a mum, through to isolation, grief, a traumatic birth, a radiant sense of positivity, all while managing a property -  we discuss everything including the depths of her postpartum depression and anxiety that she’s been through and survived….. and how telehealth saved her life. This is Sonja Chrystal’s story.A quick warning today’s episode discusses mental health including birth trauma and PNDA if you or anyone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 Did you know that you can check when to expect to be connected or upgraded on the nbn network through the ‘check your address’ tool? nbn can also conduct an additional analysis to confirm the availability of access to the nbn Fixed Wireless service at your actual premises.To ‘check your address’ and learn more about the nbn’s fixed wireless expansion in regional and remote Australia check out our show notes: https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/regionalhttps://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia