Walcha, Fresh South Wales cattle farmer Sam Mackaway is balancing the demands of a multi-generational family business with the challenges of modernising agricultural practices, all while appearing on the popular ABC TV series Muster Dogs. Mackaway, a third-generation farmer on a 2,800-acre property held by his family for 27 years, is featured on the show as he learns to train working dogs.
The program has provided Mackaway with a platform to highlight the importance of mental health awareness within rural communities. He’s doing so by wearing shirts from This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS), a non-profit organisation aimed at encouraging open discussion about mental wellbeing, particularly among farmers and tradespeople. Mackaway’s advocacy stems from personal experience, having lost an electrical apprenticeship colleague to suicide and experiencing a family loss shortly before filming began.
“I love those shirts, I love the designs, and I love what they stand for and getting people to talk about what’s going on with their head noise, and getting on top of that,” Mackaway said, according to reporting from The North Eastern Times. “If people see something and it starts a conversation, that’s worthwhile.”
Inheriting the family farm is a future Mackaway has long envisioned. He explained to Muster Dogs that he and his brother were encouraged to gain experience outside of farming before returning to the property. Mackaway pursued an electrical apprenticeship, a skill he continues to utilise on the farm. “I don’t use it every day, but I use it quite a lot on the farm, just being able to build stuff,” he said.
Modernisation is a key focus for Mackaway as he prepares to seize the reins. He’s integrating technology such as GPS-guided tractors and a farm management app to track cattle weights, growth, lineage, and breeding data. This contrasts with his father’s more traditional approach. “I’m driving around in a tractor with a GPS and auto steer, whereas Dad’s driving around in a tractor just using his eyes, trying to see the lines,” Mackaway noted.
The introduction of working dogs represents another significant shift. While his father is experienced in moving cattle using machinery, Mackaway is learning the art of dog training through his participation in Muster Dogs, despite facing an injury during the show’s production.
Mackaway’s experience reflects a broader trend in Australian family businesses. According to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, seven out of ten businesses in Australia are family-owned, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing accounting for 25 per cent of that figure. Corrina Wright, the sixth-generation owner of Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards in South Australia, described the pressure of maintaining a family legacy. “You don’t want to be the generation to stuff it up,” she said in an interview featured on ABC News.
Succession planning is a regular discussion within the Mackaway family, occurring every five years. Mackaway’s father is mindful of ensuring a smooth transition, having observed his own father’s reluctance to retire and potentially compromise his son’s vision for the farm.
Financial considerations also play a role. Mackaway highlighted the benefits of working with his wife, Laura, to reduce debt and expand the property. The couple’s collaborative approach allows them to accelerate progress compared to pursuing independent ventures.
The third season of Muster Dogs, featuring both Kelpie and Border Collie puppies, is scheduled to air in 2025. A four-part special, Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now, presented by the series narrator Lisa Millar, debuted on ABC TV on December 1, 2024.
