Winnie Jones (UK)
New citizen achieves export first
Winnie Jones' commitment to breeding Welsh Black Cattle has taken her and her children from 'the small paddocks of Wales' to a 1000 acre property in North-East Victoria.
Winnie, her daughter Jemima, 11, and son Davey Tom, 8, arrived in Australia in 2000 and three years later became Australian citizens.
Since then she's achieved a world first for Australia as a cattle breeder and contributed significantly to Victoria's tourism industry.
For Winnie Jones, Mt Bellevue in Victoria's King Valley was perfect cattle country.
'The cattle have a much more natural life than in small paddocks in Wales – where they are under pressure from continental breeds,' said Winnie.
One of the first bulls born on her property, Silver Metal Delmi, won Supreme Exhibit at the Melbourne Royal Show and was spotted by people interested in exporting his genetics. They are now being sent to Europe with the potential for worldwide distribution.
It was a success Winnie shared with fellow Welsh Black Cattle enthusiast Mal Douglass, whose cow had given birth to Silver Metal Delmi.
Winnie's plans for a Bed and Breakfast business on the property have also taken off with Mt Bellevue now firmly on the tourist route for North East Victoria.
'We like to think our business is benefiting not just ourselves but the whole area. The King Valley is a growing tourism region that is attracting people from all over Australia,' said Winnie.
'Living on the farm is also a great way for Jemima and Davey Tom to grow up. They're both extremely good horse riders and it gives them a great sense of achievement doing cattle work on the farm. Davey Tom is having an awful lot of fun and I'm still wondering how that happened to the little Welsh boy.'
Davey Tom's farm skills became apparent when he took out the national Peewee Whip Cracking Championship title at Tamworth the first year he competed.
'We are completely committed to this country and what it stands for: opportunity, equality, tolerance and a fair go for all. My children love Australia and they are absolutely determined to be Aussies. When you make a commitment like that you don't do it by halves – you just get on with it,' Winnie said.