Episode 83: Cilla Pershouse

Kate McKittrick is based in Mudgee, NSW, and has three adult children (including twins). As her kids were growing up, her focus was on supporting them through boarding school, until one day it was Kate who needed all the support. After taking some very common over the counter medicine to help with the cold she thought she had, she had a severe allergic reaction. The outcome was catastrophic. A rare immune response caused her skin to blister and peel, and she spent 3 weeks in the burns ward, but unbelievably, the worst was yet to come. Weeks after leaving hospital, Kate lost her right eye, and her sight in the other is slowly deteriorating. Despite facing a potential future in the dark, Kate's story is still one full of hope and light. This is her story. 

The RFDS (Queensland Section) support mental health in regional and rural Australia through a range of FREE mental health resources - available to individuals and families who are struggling with their mental health, going through challenging times or just needing some everyday mindfulness. Check out these free resources HERE

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Jo Mahony who has worked for the RFDS over 20 years as a Nurse Manager at their Charleville Base, one of 23 national Flying Doctor bases around the country. Jo is also a rural mum, and her story provides a special insight into the work that RFDS nurses, doctors and clinicians do that directly impacts so many of rural families. Countless rural women and their families utilise their vital aeromedical and primary healthcare services as they navigate life on the land. Today, Jo gets to do something a bit unique. She gets to tell her own story, and share her life working across remote Australia, while also opening up about how she’s balanced life as a wife and mum to her three daughters. This is her story.

 Thank you to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) who are our Summer season sponsor. It’s regional, rural and remote nurses just like Jo who support countless families through the RFDS’s vital aeromedical and primary healthcare services every year. For more inspiring stories, check out the Flying Doctor podcast - it’s a wonderful listen .

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Bronte Appleton is a country GP who lives in Gunnedah in rural NSW. She's a mum of two, and a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed when her second baby was just 6 months old, and heartbreakingly she was still breastfeeding when she made the decision to have a double mastectomy in a bid to save her life. Bronte also suffered from intense antenatal depression and experienced extreme loneliness after moving to Gunnedah. She joined a mothers' group, but found the balance between being people's friend and doctor, incredibly hard.  I think you'll love this raw and honest conversation. This is her story.

Grab your RFDS Rescue Swag here - a premium first aid kit that has everything you need to keep you and your family safe on your property. For a limited time apply the code MOTHERLAND to receive 15% off.

Get 15% off all your parenting and baby essentials at The Memo when you spend $100 or more. Use code MOTHERLAND at checkout to redeem. This offer is valid until 27 March 2024. T&Cs and exclusions apply. Valid for new customers only.

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Kate Pearce lives on a sheep farm in the Southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia with her husband and 5 year old twins. Her motherhood journey takes the saying 'it takes a village' to a whole new level. It took Kate three years and 9 embryo transfers to have her twins, who were born at 28 weeks, weighing just 1 kilo each. What followed was a three month stay in hospital before she finally brought her babies home to the farm. Then, just as she was adjusting to life with newborns, Kate's cousin and  best friend moved in... and what happened next can only be described as a  bit of a circus! This is her story.

Everyday, the RFDS holds more than 68 clinics across rural Australia.  From immunisations, health check-ups, referrals or management of chronic conditions, RFDS primary health services mean there is regular medical assistance when needed for people living and working remote Australia. Head to the Flying Doctor HERE to find an RFDS Primary Healthcare Clinic near you. 

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Erin Mackley left the city for an adventure on a remote cattle station where she met her future husband. They eventually moved to rural Victoria and were excited to start a family. But at just 31 years of age, Erin was diagnosed with breast cancer, and just when she thought she beat it, two years later it has spread to her spine. Not only was Erin in the fight of her life, but she was also desperately trying to preserve her fertility. Until now, Erin has never shared her story publicly, and what she's been through is unimaginable. After being told she couldn't carry children of her own, she explored the surrogacy route which ended in heartbreak. Then, when almost all hope was lost... three special children came into her life; siblings that Erin and her husband adopted three years ago. This is her story.

From the Australian made, water resistant Premium Rescue Swag which will keep your family prepared and safe, to the cutest dog coats which will see your fur babies look the part - the RFDS have a gift for everyone. Check-out the range HERE and apply code MOTHERLAND for 15% off all Rescue Swag First Aid Kits and the extended RFDS merchandise range for a limited time.

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There aren't many of us who haven't heard the name Fiona Simson. Fiona Simson became the first female President of the National Farmer's Federation, and recently stepped down after an incredible 7 years at the helm.  She's had an amazing career to date; I've read the articles, I've met her, and I've watched her passionately advocate for the industry. But on a personal level, it's rare we hear more about her life. Fiona is also a mum, and a grandma, a journey that began when she was living in the city, and a friend set her up with a country boy. We chat life, love, business and motherhood, including how times have changed, and why some rural mums have lost their villages.

The RFDS (Queensland Section) is giving away an incredible prize pack worth over $700 that includes an RFDS Premium Rescue Swag, RFDS Australian Merino Wool Blanket, RFDS cap and RFDS mugs. To enter, click THIS LINK and tell us why you love the RFDS. 

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Emma Groat is a mum of three and lives on a beef property north of Roma in Queensland. After a reasonably straight forward IVF journey with her first child, it took an unbelievable 10 rounds to conceive their second, before something very unexpected happened with their third. In 2019, Emma's youngest Max had a horrifying accident, walking into a fire pit that from the night before, suffering extensive fourth degree burns on his feet that required multiple surgeries and a 6 week stint in hospital. It all happened as Emma and her husband were navigating a drought. This is her story. 

Don’t forget to grab your RFDS Rescue Swag - a premium first aid kit that has everything you need to keep you and your family safe on your property. For a limited time apply the code MOTHERLAND to receive 15% off.  All proceeds from swag sales go back into supporting the Flying Doctor’s vital services. 

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Shanna Whan is the rural woman, founder, CEO, and face behind Sober in the Country, a nationally respected grassroots not-for-profit, shifting the entire conversation around booze in the bush. Shan almost lost her life to trauma-linked alcohol addiction a decade ago and then chose to use her second chance to advocate for other rural and remote people just like her. In our very candid chat, we cover everything from Shan's childhood in Zimbabwe, her struggle with addiction, Sober in the Country's impact, and the toxic 'mummy wine culture'. Motherhood is also something we touch on, and it's very difficult for Shan to talk about.  She's always wanted to become a mum - but never got the chance. A  warning: today's episode touches on mental health, suicide, trauma, and sexual assault.

Lifeline 13 11 14
Sober in the Country: www.soberinthecountry.org
Family Drug Support 1300 368 186
Family Member Help: 1300 660 068

The RFDS Queensland Division is increasing access to mental health services in regional and rural Australia through the development and distribution of their new book ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing on the Land’. You can now access this FREE resource here.  Or register to be sent a copy of the book by emailing outback@rfdsqld.com.au.

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In 1989, Anna Brown visited a remote property in the Northern Territory which led her on an adventure that changed her life. She went on to nanny at Newcastle Waters Station, owned by the Packer family at the time...It's there she met her future husband Geoff. Years later, their fairytale turned into heartbreak. Anna was seven months’ pregnant with their third child when Geoff died suddenly at age 32. Unbelievably, just a couple of years later, Anna also lost her brother in an accident. Anna and her children eventually made the move to Bathurst, where she picked up the pieces, and established her recruitment business, Anna Brown Recruitment. Anna is very bravely sharing her story with Motherland, including how she survived the unimaginable, and the heartbreak of leaving the station and starting a new chapter. This is her story.

Summer Season sponsor: the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section).
The RFDS runs Mental Health and Wellbeing Services across Australia which helps
regional, rural and remote people through tough times. To find a service near you, or to access any of their free online resources, please head to the RFDS website HERE

Spinifex Recruiting specialises in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors with a team that boasts over 20+ years of experience, who can assist in recruiting farmhands through to General Managers. Search current roles or learn more at spinifexrecruiting.com.au or follow @spinifexrecruiting on socials. 

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Toni Tapp Coutts grew up on a cattle station in the Northern Territory as the eldest of 10 children. She's an author who wrote a bestselling memoir about her childhood on the legendary Killarney cattle station. Her stepfather was cattle king Bill Tapp, and for the first few years of family life on the property there was no electricity and Toni and her siblings slept under the stars in swags. She was just five. Toni went on to raise her own kids in the gulf country, 600km from town. She's had a varied career, from station life, to campdrafting, running a clothing boutique and now, real estate. Toni has been with her husband for nearly half a century! It's been quite a ride. This is her story.

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