I grew up on a sheep and cattle station right on the NSW/Queensland border near the tiny outback town of Goodooga. My childhood was the kind most country kids dream about – riding horses, fishing for yabbies in the creek, and long, hot days mustering with Dad. Life was busy, outdoorsy, and deeply connected to the land and family.
Goodooga is a close-knit community with a strong Aboriginal presence, and I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up surrounded by that beautiful culture, taught alongside us at our local primary school. It shaped me – and I carry that pride and connection with me still.
Now, my husband Tim and I raise our four children just outside Narromine on a small lifestyle block. We run a regional Livestock and Property Agency, so the kids have grown up with a strong work ethic, riding horses and motorbikes, mustering for clients, and spending weekends at campdrafts all across rural NSW. Our evenings often end around a fire, telling stories with friends and family. We’re blessed to live on acreage by the Macquarie River, where hours of waterskiing and fishing create lifelong memories.
Boarding school was never foreign to us. Tim and I knew early what it would mean – the challenges, yes, but mostly the opportunities. For us, it’s about giving the kids a chance to connect with a diverse group of people, gain independence, and open doors to education, sport, and life skills they just can’t get living remote.
Boarding school opens their eyes and their futures. That’s what we want most for them.
One of the things I treasure most about this whole journey – the highs, the lows, and all the in-betweens – is the school holiday reunions. Those times when the kids come home and the family bursts back into full, noisy life. After weeks or months apart, those holidays are the highlight of our year and the traditions we keep alive to hold us all close, no matter the distance.
But the lead-up to reunions – when the kids finally come home for school holidays – is a funny mix of emotions. You’d think excitement would drown out homesickness, but sometimes the opposite is true. I’ll admit I sometimes let my guard down, thinking, “They’ve only got a few days left – they’ll be fine.” But the days before they get home can be the trickiest of all.
When they finally arrive, they’re often wiped out. Their lives at boarding school are full-on. One of my boys once said, “You’re always switched on, never able to switch off,” especially when you don’t even have your own room. So those first few days at home are about retreating – lots of sleep, finding space, recharging.
After that, freedom hits. Music blasts from the verandah, games of pool become fiercely competitive, and bedtimes are whatever they want them to be. One of the boys treasures the quiet the most – the kind of quiet that sounds like nothing at all. He has a favourite Tyler Childers song called Universal Sound that perfectly captures that feeling. Being home means soaking up that stillness, doing the simple things they miss at school – sitting on the riverbank and throwing sticks in, last rides on the horses, and debating the “last meal” (which, naturally, always turns into a family argument).
These “last of” moments make the countdown real and sweet. They mark the time but also remind us how precious these reunions are.
When all four kids come home, the house fills with noise and life immediately. Banter, wrestling, teasing – it’s how siblings reconnect after weeks apart. Three boys (+Dad) means there’s always a competition – who’s best, who’s fastest, who’s loudest. It’s noisy, chaotic, and full of love.
Our first night back together is a ritual. Usually, it’s a BBQ with blue rare steak – my personal favourite – followed by pool games on the verandah and music blaring into the night. Simple, but precious. A moment to reset, reconnect, and just be as a family.
The kids pick up shared jobs quickly too. Whether it’s helping with livestock or running errands, teamwork feels effortless. Despite the time apart, they fall back into their roles on the property as if no time has passed.
Of course, having all four home is a bit of an adventure. Muddy boots everywhere, the fridge empties fast, belly laughs fill the house, and there are always arguments over who’s next in the shower or who used the last clean towel.
Our recent winter holidays were no different. The washing piled high, and the house smelled like a cattle truck with all the saleyard clothes covered in manure. But I’m so grateful the kids still love being involved. It’s a team effort, and they take pride in pulling their weight.
Between mustering, drafting, weighing, and feeding livestock, their days are physically exhausting – something their city mates might never understand. Tim and the kids often juggle jobs on different farms, so keeping everyone organized is a full-time job for me alone.
At night, we gather around the dinner table, laughter echoing over the continuing pool games. Any snappy words or tired arguments from the day get smoothed over by the warmth of the fire and the bond that holds us together.
What always cracks me up is the endless banter. Someone once said, “A family that plays together stays together.” I’m sure I didn’t make that up, but it fits perfectly.
Staying connected during term time is a whole other challenge. As the kids get older, they take more responsibility for keeping in touch with each other. Their theory seems to be: if one doesn’t answer, another will – there are plenty of us to go round! Sharing similar interests helps a lot. It’s easy to ask each other about a particular horse, a mob of cattle, or a new job someone’s started.
But let’s be honest: long school terms can be tough. Homesickness and boredom settle in, and sometimes there’s just not much to say for hours on end. When calls come multiple times a day, it can get overwhelming – for them and for us.
The key is to keep phone calls quick and easy. Short check-ins help everyone stay in touch without the pressure to fill the silence. We spread the calls around – Dad, grandparents, older and younger siblings all get a turn.
Sometimes all the kids get their phones back at once, and calls flood in simultaneously. Merging those calls can be a lifesaver when all they want is a quick hello and check-in.
Mums instinctively remain connected in many ways. We give our kids wings to fly, roots to come back to, and reasons to stay. That balance of freedom and belonging is the heart of it all.
Having been a boarder myself, I know boarding school life firsthand, and it shapes the way I parent our kids now. I’m grateful for the advances in technology and communication – the days of dropping kids off at the start of the year and not hearing from them until term ends are gone. Now, I can be far more present and involved, offering support when the tough times come and making sure they know I’m always there, even from afar.
That experience has been invaluable, but the most important thing is a strong relationship and open communication. Our kids need to know we’re in their corner no matter the miles between us.
From my upbringing, I’ve passed on simple but powerful values: gratitude and hard work. I want my children to appreciate the opportunities they have and understand the effort it takes to make the most of them.
To rural mums just starting the boarding journey, my advice is simple: strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. Embrace the challenges – they’ll make your kids stronger. Savour the good times – there’ll be plenty. And above all, God speed!
For us, school holiday reunions are the best days of the year – the times when the chaos, the distance, the worry, and the tears all melt away. They are the traditions that keep love strong. Whether it’s simple games of pool, BBQs with blue rare steak, or sibling wrestles and jokes, these moments stitch us back together.
We don’t take those reunions for granted because the miles between us don’t lessen our bond – they make it all the more precious. Our family thrives on these reunions; they recharge our hearts and remind us what matters most.
No matter where life takes us, we’ll always have these traditions – shared stories, laughter, and love – waiting for us at home.
If you’re a family about to send your kids off to boarding school or somewhere far from home, remember this: those school holiday reunions will be the highlights of your year. They’re the glue that holds your family tight and the traditions that keep your love strong.
