The Life of an Australian Horseman: Geoff Toomby: The Power of Animals

Description

This story of an Australian Horseman called Geoff Toomby exposes a childhood of terror, ridicule and pain that has led to a life dedicated in making a difference to the lives of people in similar situations through the power of animals.

Preface
After many years of travelling and teaching in rural Australia and telling the stories of my experiences, people were always asking if I’d write a book on my life. Finding the time to do this is especially difficult but if I don’t make the time now it will never be done. I suppose the thing that prompted me was working with so many people from large pastoral companies to small family units in rural Australia. I could see the need for every one of us to document the knowledge we hold. This book is my story … the way I remember and perceived things to have happened. At no stage have I intended to write an ill word towards another, however, if the way I have perceived certain events are not how others saw them, then I stand the right to express my opinion. I always said I’d write a book someday but the day Tony Freshwater rang and asked, “How’s that book going?” was the push for me to get on with it. I’m hoping that with the way things are today in the cattle industry with low prices, shortage of labour and export markets, maybe more people will relate to the difficult times we all go through. After spending a great deal of time teaching incoming staff for the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association, I hope people will relate to my experience and realise the support they are offered in today’s world through companies like: Consolidated Pastoral Company, Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association, Australian Country Choice Beef – and last but not least – our private producers. This means young people of today have been afforded greater opportunities and support than ever before … especially for those in the bush.
Cheers Geoff

Ken Warriner – Co-Founder Consolidated Pastoral Company, Australia
I feel the “Geoff Toomby Story” is one of great achievements and needs to be told.

John McRae – Owner / Operator since 1956 of Lisbourne Park, Jeogla, NSW
He’s definitely a fella with vision and I have a lot of respect for Geoff and the technique he has developed and refined. If you were to compare my father’s technique with Maurice Wright’s and
Geoff Toomby’s, I would say Geoff’s is the best.

Cameron Kruckow – Manbulloo Station Manager, NT, Australia
There are good horsemen in Australia with many different styles, but very few possess the ability to work the human as well as the horse.

Andrew Cripps – Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Nth Queensland
I hope that young people, and particularly young people from Northern Queensland, will have the opportunity to learn from Geoff and Vicki at their training facility, in order to secure the skills and experience required to move into the pastoral and rural industries, giving them meaningful jobs and livelihoods for themselves and their families into the future.