Butch Walker

Butch Walker grew up on a 55,000 acre organic cattle station between Blackall and Tambo. After spending some time away, Butch made the decision to head back to Blackall to help run the family property. After being home for just two months, Butch’s father was killed in an accident on the property.

Like most country kids, Butch knew his way around but taking over the reins of the family’s operation was a steep learning curve. Still, over the last couple of years – while taking some killer photographs on the side – Butch and his family have expanded the business to operate on over 75,000 acres. Butch and his wife Meg now have two daughters who keep them very busy and he can’t imagine anywhere he would rather be.

“Photography gives me a way to show people what we do out here, and gives me the ability to give context to things that many people without a rural background may not understand. Agriculture is an incredibly sophisticated globalised industry and I think it’s time we take control of the narrative and show young people that a career in agriculture can be just as rewarding and challenging as any other industry. Ironically, I first picked up a camera to help with the boredom of walking mobs of cattle long distances. Artistically, there’s a certain nostalgia I feel in the way that so many things out here haven’t changed over the years. A lot of my photos are attempts to recreate stylised versions of childhood memories; seeing mobs of cattle with ringers on horseback, rolling a smoke one handed as they walk along. I’m flat out drawing a stick figure at the moment but would love to learn to draw - there are a few scenes I have in my brain that just can’t be photographed. At the end of the day I just feel incredibly lucky to live and work where I do and I feel it’s important to show that we aren’t a bunch of rednecks chasing cattle around in the bush.”

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