When it comes to catching up with friends, making time to do something “just for you”, getting out and away from your daily to-do list can sometimes feel like hard work.
Life stages too, can impact how we connect with each other. As we move through life, the social invitations ebb and flow, so too does our capacity to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
‘Retirement’ comes to mind – whilst many say they’ve never been busier than in retirement, this doesn’t necessarily ring true for all, nor does it mean there’s regular connection and joy included in day-to-day life, especially if you’ve found yourself moving somewhere new.
For one group of (mostly) chaps in Tamworth, a monthly catch up with like-minded (and perhaps reluctant) retirees, has meant a regular commitment to connection, fostering friendships and an easy-sharing of decades of specialised knowledge and experience – grown through a love of farming.
“Farmers never retire, they just slow down,” says Mick Collins, who leads the Tamworth Seasoned Farmers Group.
Mick trained as a teacher and was a primary school principal for around 14 years, but in his role as Regional Services Manager for NSW Farmers, Mick says bringing this passionate and clever group of people together each month is some of the most satisfying work he’s ever done.
“It’s probably one of my most favourite things I do – it’s just so rewarding listening to what they’ve contributed and what they’ve done for agriculture… in this room alone, you have hundreds of years of experience in ag,” Mick says.
“In a world where everyone’s in a rush, they appreciate the chance to share their stories with people who are going to listen; it’s also important to reflect and acknowledge all the incredible things they’ve done for agriculture themselves,” emphasises Mick.
So how does the group work?
Mick reckons it’s pretty simple “Routine is everything!”.
Once a month, a catch up in town – the venue donates a room – Mick arranges a guest speaker, seeing like-minds discuss and debate issues from health, mechanics and education, to politics and rural services, cattle/sheep/grain/commodity prices to the real estate market and renewables. The group enjoy a cuppa together, stay for lunch, and all the while, they chat and enjoy each other’s company.
With around 15 to 20 members attending each month (some well into their 90’s), Doug Wilson is quite proudly the youngest of the group, at age 65.
Around two years ago, Doug and his wife Annette moved to Tamworth from a cattle, merino and grain operation between Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri. Whilst he still helps when needed, Doug is happy their children now run the family properties.
“I was getting a bit bored living on the farm full-time,” says Doug, “I was ready for a change.”
Immersing himself into a new city, finding a new community has proved easier than expected, with their neighbours Chris and Rachel suggesting he attend the Seasoned Farmers Group over a jar of homemade jam.
“They brought over a jar of fig jam, and now we’re mates!” says Doug, who has attended the group catch ups with Chris nearly every month since.
Doug isn’t the only farmer to meet friends at the Tamworth Seasoned Farmers Group.
Robert Creighton hails from Young, on the beautiful south-western slopes of NSW, where, until age 79, he’d lived his whole life on the family property. With his children living near Weabonga and Walgett in the north of the state, Tamworth was a much closer choice for Robert, especially as his health needed more attention.
“It was probably a good thing they yanked me out of where I was,” grins Robert, “and luckily, I’ve struck some people who I used to go to school with!”
Yes – you read correctly. All these years on, Robert Creighton has moved across the state, only to reunite with two old school mates, both of whom just so happen to attend the Seasoned Farmers Group in Tamworth.
Roger Bowman of Barraba speaks fondly of his life farming sheep, cattle and wheat, and is very glad his son Tom (of Australian Rugby Union ‘Wallabies’ fame) now carries on his agricultural legacy.
Watching Robert and Roger together, it’s like no time has passed! A cheeky glint in the eye, easy conversation, gentle humour passing between them – this is the kind of serendipitous magic this group creates.
Despite knowing each other a long time ago, these connections would never have reformed if it wasn’t for Mick Collins and his well-seasoned crew.
“Mick keeps us going, he keeps us awake!” Roger laughs.
Robert agrees, “It’s been a great help for me. I would have been stuck twiddling my thumbs, just doing the gardening.”
“We’re past the stage of being able to do all the things on farm,” reiterates Roger. “It’s for the young ones to do it all now.”
The collective centuries of farming brilliance gathered in one room, each and every month, isn’t lost on Mick Collins.
“I’m not afraid to admit, we’re friends, we’re mates, they’re people I look up to and admire. I would do this every day of the week if I could,” Mick beams.
“They now have friends in their later stages of life and can share the joy they’ve gained from a life in agriculture,” says Mick.
Tamworth is the second successful group hosted by Mick Collins from NSW Farmers. Inverell, in Northern NSW was the first, and continues as an ongoing success. “There’s no reason you couldn’t emulate this same idea in your community. It’s a great way to keep the connection to the land and agriculture going, retirement or not!”