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00:01Oh my gosh! Look at all these puppies!
00:05It doesn't get much better than being out bush with a bundle of puppies
00:10who are going to grow up to be mustard dogs.
00:13Free through!
00:15As we head out across Australia in celebration of Aussie working dogs
00:20and the humans who adore them.
00:23Gorgeous boy.
00:24Oh, you big softy!
00:26We watched our Kelpie and Collie pups grow from cheeky fluff balls.
00:31Pesto!
00:34And after 12 months of intense training,
00:38showed why both breeds are world-class workers on the land.
00:46But the story is far from over.
00:50Champion muster dog Banjo has fathered a bumper litter of pups.
00:55Come on!
00:56And our Series 3 participants are on board
00:59to help Banjo and Kim find new and loving homes
01:03for these aspiring champions.
01:06Where's the puppy?
01:07Have we got a surprise for you!
01:09Here we go!
01:10Oh my gosh!
01:11Puppy!
01:12Can I grow a prime mullet like you, Cam?
01:14Nah, you gotta have my luck!
01:16It's the perfect excuse for a mischief-filled puppy adventure
01:20across Australia.
01:21Good luck!
01:24Come on, James!
01:26Come on, James!
01:26Let's go!
01:27He's gone!
01:29Good boy.
01:32Good boy!
01:35Good boy.
01:37Good boy.
01:38Good boy, Syd.
01:47What do you reckon, Testo?
01:49Eh?
01:50Oh, you're still my favourite.
01:52Oh, there we go.
02:11For Banjo's Delightful Dozen,
02:14life so far has been pretty fabulous.
02:19Lots of play,
02:22chewing things they shouldn't,
02:25cuddles,
02:26sleeping
02:29and growing.
02:31Now they're all weaned,
02:33four have new homes interstate.
02:36Kim and hubby Shane are keeping three,
02:41leaving five powerpups for Kim to lovingly home.
02:46Given they're as cute as these guys,
02:48it should not be a problem.
02:51Well done.
02:53He's a lovely boy.
02:56Even though Kim was thrilled to win Mustardogs
02:59with her beloved Kelpie Banjo,
03:01the best part of the experience was the friendships that came out of it.
03:05The other participants are amazing.
03:08We just all clipped.
03:11You know, Renee and Pockets.
03:15Banjo and Pockets just had a love affair from the start.
03:20And Renee is the most amazing human being.
03:24What she does is just truly inspirational.
03:27Here's my kid.
03:28Hold on, Marlene.
03:30Marlene and Hudson, they gave us a run for our money,
03:33but you know, Marlene's become a great mate.
03:37Jack and I have managed to catch up a couple of times with Pesto
03:41and everyone thinks,
03:43oh, how can those two dogs be related?
03:45But they are.
03:47And you can see that when they both get together
03:49and they get their wiggly butts going.
03:51But, you know, Jack's Jack.
03:54He's just, he cracks you up.
03:56Don't stuff it up.
03:59Jack!
04:01And Blythe's come over to stay
04:03and has helped me on the farm a bit
04:05and we talk regularly
04:07and she has become one of my closest friends.
04:10So, it's just amazing.
04:11Good job, mate.
04:13That is so well deserved.
04:16And let's not forget Nathan, our youngest participant.
04:19I know how amazing is Nathan.
04:21He has so much skill for a young person
04:25and I'm really looking forward to being, you know,
04:28part of his future and seeing where he goes with everything.
04:43With five puppies from Banjo's huge litter to home,
04:48Kim didn't have to ask twice to get help from some of her new besties.
04:52But first, Kim has her own pup to hand over to a young man called Eric.
05:00Hello.
05:01Hi, Eric.
05:02We got a surprise for you.
05:05Here we go.
05:11Yes, I'm coming 12 in a month.
05:14I love football.
05:16I play it in a local club called Heathcote.
05:21I live on a farm and I love helping Dad feed the pigs,
05:26move the pigs with the dogs and also have a butchering room on our property.
05:31So, I love eating the pork when it's cut up.
05:37So, we have two working dogs and another house dog.
05:40And we have Buster and Mighty, they're the working dogs.
05:43And Mighty's a very good boy.
05:46He's very good on any stock we use him on.
05:49And Buster, I trained up and he was a very big boy and he's getting better and better.
05:57So, it's always fun farming them.
06:01Here we go.
06:03Oh, my gosh.
06:05Bobby!
06:07Hello!
06:08Oh, Bobby!
06:10Good boy.
06:11Yes, you're a good boy.
06:13You're a good boy.
06:15You're pretty beautiful.
06:17Gorgeous.
06:17What do you think, Eric?
06:19He's beautiful.
06:20Thank you so much.
06:21That's all right.
06:22He's a stunning boy.
06:24I'm sure he'll love me.
06:26I know he will.
06:27He already does.
06:28Look at him.
06:29Very relaxed.
06:30Have you thought about what you're going to call him?
06:32Well, I was thinking about Diesel, if he likes that name.
06:35So, his grandfather's name is Charger, his brother's name's Turbo, and his great-grandfather's name was Nitro.
06:44So, it kind of all goes with the thing.
06:46Well, maybe we'll have to go with that one.
06:48That sounds good.
06:49Sounds good to me.
06:50Diesel it is.
06:52Oh, you're a good boy, Diesel.
06:54I think the puppy I've got is going to be an awesome boy and got to turn out just like
07:00Banjo.
07:02Nearly be able to do anything with him, especially work stock and have him by my side every minute.
07:09And he'll be a very big dog, just like his father.
07:16Eric and Diesel are off to a great start, already on track to be best mates.
07:22Just like Marlene and Hudson in Bingra, New South Wales.
07:39The hilly grazing country of Bingra, New South Wales, is not for the faint-hearted.
07:45Making it the perfect working landscape for this big bear of a collie pup, Hudson.
07:53And his number one fan is the hard-working Bushy, running her rocky grazing property solo, Marlene.
08:08He's a big fella.
08:10The big pretty boy.
08:12Hudson!
08:14Marlene was hoping for a female pup, but found an instant connection with the big male collie from day one.
08:22Hudson is very polished.
08:24He's like a James Bond or something.
08:27His temperament is phenomenal.
08:29I find him incredibly loyal.
08:31Just so easy to create a bond.
08:33I'm very lucky to have got you.
08:35And he wants to be with me, which I just, I really love.
08:39Good boy.
08:41Good boy.
08:44He's grown into a very bold dog for his age.
08:48Good boy!
08:49To the point that he had no respect of his stock.
08:53We'll get the bag.
08:55I thought, holy cow, I'm in for a ride with this guy.
08:58But his instinct is there, I had no doubt about that.
09:02A bit of a bark!
09:04Good boy!
09:06The dynamic duo arrived ready for the grand final showdown.
09:10I love everyone!
09:12How are you?
09:13Hudson to me, behind.
09:15Awesome!
09:17And it was obvious from the start
09:20that Marlene and Hudson were an extremely tough team to beat.
09:27You can breathe now.
09:30Teddy!
09:32Stop, down.
09:34Well, that's as neat as a pin.
09:36Yep.
09:36That's very good.
09:38And when they were called forward as one of the finalists,
09:42Marlene couldn't have been prouder.
09:45So, I think the challenge has been an overwhelming experience,
09:49but also a very good example of Hudson's ability.
09:58and his connection with me, because wherever I ask him to be or put him,
10:03from cattle to goats to sheep, he delivers.
10:11He's full of beans this morning.
10:13Hey Hudson, come and join us, buddy.
10:16Come on, to me.
10:17So, what have they been up to lately?
10:20You have been so busy.
10:23I have been, Hudson's been busy too, I can tell you.
10:28Been doing some demonstration, working dog demonstrations,
10:31been doing some trialling too, I've not said that.
10:34I've been doing these speaking engagements, which has been really left field,
10:41but super exciting.
10:43And Hudson comes along and he's a superstar.
10:47He loves it. He just loves people.
10:49Not overwhelmed by the crowds?
10:51No, he just wants to be in the mix of it.
10:54He wants to go meet everybody.
10:55It's like, look at me.
10:58Yeah, you're the star.
10:59He feels he's a star.
11:01Certainly he does.
11:05Hudson might be a superstar.
11:07But he's also a super musterer.
11:11Musterer, yeah?
11:12Never mind.
11:15Let's talk about the work.
11:17Where does he sit in the pack?
11:19What's he doing when he's out there with you?
11:21He is a young dog.
11:23He's still a young dog.
11:24So he's still, I don't think Hudson's going to come into himself
11:27until he's probably three.
11:29But he runs with my A team.
11:32I also have him in a boy team, which is really great.
11:40And that's been an achievement for me, having three boys work together
11:43and all young boys.
11:45He works in his own team doing small jobs because they're all under two.
11:50A small job might be shifting a few head of cattle from one paddock to another,
11:55while the big jobs involve long range mustering.
11:59He has got so much moveability on him and so much positioning
12:06that I can control them all at a distance just by where I set him up.
12:11And that has just been a huge asset to me.
12:14Sounds like you've still got it Hudson.
12:17Good boy, good boy.
12:19Hudson, you good?
12:21No, you're so good.
12:23Didn't you?
12:24Look, we're putting a call over this Hudson.
12:27We've got a few there.
12:29We probably don't need that many.
12:32Whether he's in the paddock or signing paw prints for his fans
12:35at community events like this one in Gleniness, Hudson is just happy to be part of it.
12:41So lovely to see you. You're keeping well?
12:44Thank you for coming.
12:45And the bonus for these country women is a chance to hear Marlene share more of her story
12:51about running a remote farm on her own.
12:53And we are in control of that.
12:57That's changing the narrative.
12:59She has created an environment for others to feel they can become the mentors
13:06and they can become the inspiration.
13:09And it is a great privilege to ask Marlene Brewer up to the stage.
13:18Why would a 62-year-old woman stand up in front of this crowd full of strong women?
13:26One thing is that you do not need a certificate to be capable.
13:31You do not need a title, anything fancy that allows you to lead.
13:38And you sure as hell do not need permission from anybody if you want to get out and change your
13:45life.
13:52Marlene's determination to empower women is born of her own grit and resilience.
13:57And I tell you what, we're so lucky that she's made of all the good stuff.
14:06When you joined Mustard Dogs you talked about wanting to represent older women that you had felt invisible.
14:14Do you think that's changed?
14:16Absolutely changed.
14:18It's been my platform and I have loved this so much.
14:23Being able to get out there and talk to people, ladies that are my age and we just shelve things.
14:31We just stick these things away and we say, you know, because we fill so many other roles,
14:37we do so much for everybody else because that's what we do, we nurture.
14:43So things get shoved aside and we lose our sense of self.
14:48How clever is that?
14:55It was the commitment Marlene made to train Hudson to be a fully fledged working dog in just 12 months
15:03that unwrapped that sense of self she had lost.
15:08The fact that that dog turned up every day with a look in his eye when he would look at
15:14me and I knew that that was a love in just being in my proximity.
15:19And everything I taught him and I asked, he gave back to me tenfold in what he was learning and
15:26in his actions.
15:27That then said to me, hey, you're a pretty good chick.
15:31You really are patient.
15:33You really have a good heart.
15:37You're not angry.
15:38You're not this hard ass person.
15:41Everybody says you are because that's what it's perceived as when you run a farm by yourself and you're a
15:50woman.
15:50I actually got to feel that, that kindness and the softness, but the thing was in allowing that to happen,
15:59I actually started to like it, like it about myself.
16:06With all the joy her dogs brings.
16:09I love you too.
16:10Marlene's thrilled to be handing over a banjo puppy to a young puppy mad local.
16:16Marlene, we've got a puppy to deliver.
16:18I'm super excited about this pup.
16:21Also, there is a really super excited little girl.
16:25So who's this pup going to?
16:26Okay, it's going to a beautiful family.
16:29Two little girls.
16:30They live in country very similar to mine.
16:33But Phoebe is 11.
16:36Bridie is 13.
16:37They are both homeschooled.
16:39When I first met them, it was like, turn up with Hudson.
16:43And Bridie's like, oh my God, Hudson.
16:45I love Hudson.
16:46He's my favorite.
16:46And Phoebe goes, banjo was my favorite.
16:51So how perfect.
16:54While Phoebe's puppy makes its way up from Victoria, over in Western Australia, Blythe and Banksy have just taken delivery
17:02of a banjo puppy.
17:10I am so excited for you little girl.
17:13You're going to meet your person today.
17:15Every dog needs their own adventure.
17:18I was really excited when I picked the pup up off the plane to have a little red and tan
17:24girl pup.
17:25She's a delightful mix of sweet and sassy and I'm really happy that Kim matched up Team Red, Uncle Banksy
17:33with another little red pup to carry on his West Australian legacy.
17:37I bet Uncle Banksy's excited too.
17:41Banksy, what do you think about young'uns?
17:44You're a bit worried you're getting replaced, aren't you?
17:47Nothing could replace you, my Banks.
17:49Not a dog person, Banks, huh?
17:52Yeah.
17:52Banksy's pretty non-pulsed about being an uncle.
17:56Playing with kids doesn't really interest him at this point in his life.
17:59And he actually gets a little bit jealous of other puppies around, thinking he might be getting replaced as my
18:04favorite dog.
18:05Banksy, my darling.
18:08Have no fear, Banksy, you're not going anywhere.
18:11Because Blythe has found the perfect fit for this little girl pup.
18:16You're about to meet your life partner.
18:20Oh, you're too chicken to swing up.
18:22Hey.
18:24I wanted to watch you climb up, like a monkey.
18:26That's too much effort right now.
18:31Could I grow a prime mullet like you, Kim?
18:33Nah, you gotta have my locks.
18:3516-year-old Cameron is currently learning the ropes with Blythe at Ethel Creek Station, owned by the Neapali people.
18:43It's an arid land rehabilitation program and cattle operation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
18:51Cameron's had a bit of a tough trot.
18:53He's had a real difficulty in the schooling system.
18:55And a few years ago, his parents started homeschooling, travelling around Australia,
19:00and getting Cameron experience at working in agriculture.
19:03Because that's where he seemed to enjoy himself.
19:06Yeah, so she's just getting bulls out of the way.
19:08And they've just been so fortunate to come here to Ethel Creek,
19:12where investment in young people and building their skills is a real priority for this property.
19:17And I feel really privileged to be able to assist in that with Cameron in the yards and in his
19:23adventure with dogs.
19:27Hey mate, how you going?
19:28Good, you?
19:29Good.
19:36Out here at Ethel Creek, we've done a Neil MacDonald course,
19:40and it was brilliant because he taught us mostly stock,
19:45even though it was called a dog handling course.
19:46It was mainly about how you can use dogs in different ways, learning what dogs do.
19:54Where would you rather be Cam?
19:55Nowhere. Heaven out here.
19:57It's the best, isn't it?
19:59And now, Blythe has much bigger plans in store for Cam.
20:03Go, let's go Cam.
20:04I think Blythe saw how enthusiastic I can get in some ways.
20:08As soon as I saw the dogs working, she saw me light up,
20:13and how much I was interested in how they work stock with dogs,
20:17and seeing how well just some one dog could move a thousand cattle just with the right moves and right
20:23codes,
20:25you can get a dog to move as much cattle as you want.
20:27And I was just so impressed by that, I wanted to really get into the industry of dog handling,
20:32and I think she might have saw that in me and chose me,
20:36because school didn't really work out for me,
20:39and Blythe's finally the first teacher I've ever had that's seen my capability,
20:44understood it, and given me a work that helps me out and teaches me.
20:55And I think Blythe's instincts are spot on.
20:58I've got a pretty good treat for you.
21:00Do you now?
21:02I'd like to present you with this little girl.
21:11She's a great pup Cam.
21:13Oh my God. No.
21:14She is such a great pup.
21:16Hello.
21:19Don't let her sweetness fool you.
21:21There's a fair bit of sass there.
21:22She can get pretty feisty.
21:24I hope she's got a bit of feist in her.
21:26Needs a bit.
21:28Put up with you.
21:32I think you'll be very well matched.
21:35Got any names in mind yet?
21:36Oh, I've got a few.
21:39Bindi's so far my favourite.
21:40Oh yeah?
21:41Yeah.
21:43Hopefully she turns out to be a very good Bindi.
21:45Yeah.
21:47A cheeky little prickle.
21:48Yes.
21:49Very much so.
21:50Alright.
21:50Well you'll have to play with that and see if it suits her.
21:53Very much.
21:58Bindi.
21:59How very nice to meet you.
22:13I chose the name Bindi because she's got a great personality and she's just a cheeky little prickle.
22:20She's just a lovely puppy.
22:21She's got the gorgeous coat, she's got amazing eyes and she's just adorable.
22:27Lovely puppy.
22:28Ooh, kisses.
22:30She's just a lovely puppy.
22:31I love her very much.
22:33She's probably the best thing I'm ever going to have in my life.
22:37I think Bindi might feel the same way about you, Cameron.
22:44With his hands as full as mine, Cameron's about to set off on his own Mustard Dogs adventure, with Blythe
22:50as a trusted mentor.
22:52So, let's check in on our Series 3 Livewire puppy.
22:57Can you guess who I mean?
22:58Hey you.
23:00Let's get settled.
23:06At the foot of Victoria's stunning Grampians, you'll find the country's most enviable views.
23:13Good girl.
23:18And home turf to the famously fizzy Kelpie pup, Pesto.
23:25And then we can do some dog training.
23:28Keeping busy is also the favourite pastime for Pesto's handler, station manager, turned stay-at-home dad, Jack.
23:40This puppy here is very bold.
23:47I'm enjoying this behaviour.
23:51I'll get you little pup.
23:53Pesto has been an interesting addition to the dog pack.
23:58From the very first day that I picked her up, she weared all over me and it must have just
24:02become a conditioned response or something.
24:05I think she's just done away on your shorts.
24:08Oh, perfect.
24:08Good start.
24:10Pesto.
24:11For Jack and Pesto, it was a less than ideal introduction.
24:15She's still really fizzy.
24:17She probably wouldn't be the dog that I would pick out of the litter.
24:19Pesto.
24:20But I'm glad that she's the one that I got, I think.
24:25But at the grand final, they had a real crap at making it all the way to the top.
24:32Starting with a blistering run through the first two tasks.
24:36Well done.
24:38Back.
24:39Back.
24:43Before dialling things up with an impressive 100 metre cast.
24:47How good is that?
24:49Walk him.
24:50Steady, steady.
24:51Walk him up.
24:52Oh dear.
24:53Walkie, walkie.
24:54That's very, very good.
24:55Proving that these loveable larrikins were a capable and charismatic muster dog team.
25:01They got through the gate.
25:03I think everyone has been a winner.
25:06Everyone has gone away with a fantastic little dog.
25:09Pesto, she is a little gem and I'm really excited to see what I can do with her.
25:23It's a bit fresh.
25:24It is a bit fresh.
25:25What are you doing wearing shorts?
25:28I'm a shorts man.
25:29I always wear shorts all year round.
25:31If you get wet pants, you're stuck with wet pants all day.
25:34But if you get wet legs, then I can just dry them off.
25:38I bet you don't get sick of this view.
25:40No, it's absolutely beautiful.
25:41We're so lucky to live here.
25:43Right on the edge of the grampians.
25:45It's just, yeah, amazing.
25:47Beautiful.
25:48I see Pesto hasn't lost her enthusiasm for life.
25:51No, she's definitely very excited to be alive every morning.
25:56She gives me more energy in the morning than a cup of coffee.
25:58Who needs a double shot when you can wake up with Pesto?
26:01That's right.
26:03Hello.
26:07Good job.
26:08Great job, Pesto.
26:10Oh, you did such a good job, darling.
26:14How is she in the team?
26:16Yeah, she's good.
26:17She's still a little bit of a pest.
26:18She's pretty pig-headed sometimes.
26:21Turns her ears off.
26:23Lower cup.
26:24Pesto cup.
26:25Pesto cup.
26:26Pesto cup.
26:27Pesto cup.
26:28No.
26:29But she's, yeah, she's really, really a valuable member of the team now.
26:33Really useful.
26:34And she just seems to have that bit of talent that some of the other dogs don't quite have.
26:39She'll notice, she'll be a couple of steps ahead of the sheep, she'll, or the cattle,
26:44she'll move into the right position before the other dogs have even thought about it.
26:48So where's she sitting in the team?
26:50She's probably sitting in the lower part of the A team.
26:54She's not quite the B team, but she's not up there in the A team.
26:59But I think that's just experience.
27:01I think with a bit more experience, she'll make her way up.
27:03And I think she'll possibly be one of my best dogs I've ever had if she switches on.
27:10Is she still fizzy?
27:12Pesto's still pretty fizzy.
27:13She's a little bit licky.
27:17She's definitely settled down since the first couple of episodes of Mustardogs
27:21with a bit of work to take her mind off being a silly, silly sausage without using any swear words.
27:35Jack has always bitten off more than he can chew,
27:38taking a slice out of every pie that life has on offer.
27:42So it won't surprise you that he's coaching and playing in the local footy team.
27:48I want every single second to be effective from every single player.
27:53Keep the vibe up.
27:54Let's get out there and have a lot of fun and beat these blokes.
28:08Go for the ball first.
28:10The ball is our priority, alright?
28:12Tough footy, alright?
28:13Let's go.
28:13Go on!
28:16No one can ever argue with the energy Jack puts into everything he does.
28:22Go, Dad!
28:24Oh, yeah!
28:25Just watch him, where else?
28:26Watch him!
28:27It's more than just a bit of fun and exercise.
28:31Games like this hold the community together.
28:33They allow you to thrive, which is really important to Jack and his sense of camaraderie.
28:39It's great!
28:40I think it would be patterned by anyone.
28:43Yeah.
28:44It could work.
28:44A bit tense.
28:46A bit tense.
28:48Nice work.
28:49We will always fight for victory.
28:52We will kick the winning score.
28:55Go here by your fans!
29:08With quite a lot going on in his life, Jack likes to keep his bucket pretty full.
29:14So, tell me, what is in this bucket of yours, Jack?
29:18Let's have a think about what's in the bucket.
29:21So, we've got, obviously, mustard oggs for a start, which is a big part of the bucket.
29:26We've got a few different volunteer jobs in the SES and CFA.
29:34Sit!
29:35We've found some childcare, which has been exciting.
29:37Sit!
29:38Sit down, please.
29:39Sit down, please.
29:40So, we've got a couple of days a week of childcare, so I've been contracting with that
29:44and I've bought myself a crutching trailer just to keep the work up to us.
29:48The family's fantastic.
29:50The family's growing.
29:52Do you think Pesto knows that Mum's having a baby?
29:55Yeah.
29:55Do you think it's going to be a baby brother or a baby sister?
29:58Baby sister.
29:59Really?
29:59He's going to come out.
30:01He's going to come out?
30:02Yeah.
30:02I hope so.
30:05We're expecting another child very soon, so we're all getting very, thank you very
30:12much.
30:12We're all getting very excited about that, especially Mara.
30:18We ask her, are you going to be a big sister?
30:21And she always says, yeah, I'm going to be a big sister like Bluey.
30:23So, she's obviously watched a little bit of Bluey.
30:27Mara and Pesto get along really well now.
30:29Since she's settled down, Mara's felt a lot more comfortable around her, just standing
30:34around her and stuff and loves giving her little pats and Pesto loves a pat now.
30:41And the tough guy book club?
30:42Oh yeah, and of course the book club.
30:44Don't let me forget the book club.
30:45There's probably a few others that I've forgotten, but yeah, the book club, footy,
30:52master dogs, farm, family.
30:58Pesto.
30:59Just trying to be a decent human being can be pretty tough sometimes too.
31:05I think you've nailed that one.
31:07I'm trying.
31:13Despite Jack's huge to-do list, he's also mentoring a young local with Aunty Pesto's
31:19nephew.
31:20While up north, Nathan has found a worthy teenager to receive one of Banjo's gorgeous
31:27Kelpie Pops.
31:33For Queensland superstars Nathan and Chief, one public appearance is now blending into
31:39the next.
31:40Chief, where are your manners?
31:42Come on, Chiefie.
31:43A lot of people coming up wanting to hear about where Chief's going and they're very
31:48invested in his life and mine, which is very nice to hear.
31:52Go, give it a try, Lisa.
31:53Okay, I'll give it a try.
31:55Chief, speak.
32:03Even when you're a TV star, a behind-the-scenes tour of an ABC studio is pretty exciting stuff.
32:11Here in Queensland, getting to 20 degrees today.
32:14Chief, pay attention.
32:15We've got Kingaroy on the maps.
32:18Speak.
32:20And for Nathan, it means he can use his current celebrity status to encourage more young people
32:25to regional communities.
32:27I hope it's inspired people to come out to the country because we are facing critical labour
32:34shortages and we need people.
32:36And it would be nice to know that people have seen this and seen at my age what I'm able
32:42to do.
32:42Nice run, mate.
32:43And yes, I've had a lot of help, but there are a lot of people willing to help.
32:48And I want more people from the city to come out and learn and take on knowledge and partake
32:54in our community.
32:57Which is why mentoring a young family friend with a banjo puppy is such a great fit.
33:04Will, he's a little 14-year-old we know, been family friends with them for ages.
33:09And he's just a really good young fella.
33:11He's always wanting to learn.
33:13He wants to keep improving on his dogs.
33:15He comes out always asking questions and wants to know more.
33:18And he listens.
33:19So I thought him to be the perfect one to pass on a pup to.
33:28Will, the puppy is almost here.
33:30And on a scale of one to ten, how excited are you right at this moment?
33:34Eleven.
33:35Just can't wait.
33:37Yeah.
33:37Alright, we're going to wait and see what Nathan has for you.
33:41Yep.
33:47Well, I'm a 14-year-old and I go to school in Kingaroy.
33:51And I've grown up on a farm with my parents and we raise stud bulls for a living.
33:57It's good because you get to see them right from when they're born through to when they're mature bulls and
34:03cows.
34:03And it's really interesting to see how they develop.
34:06Do you think you're going to stay on the land?
34:09Definitely.
34:10I love it.
34:10So, yeah.
34:12I've got two dogs at the moment, one that I'm still training, but they're going very well.
34:17What does it mean to get one of Banjo's dogs, a mustard dog champion?
34:22It means a lot that I'm capable, hopefully, of training this dog and that Nathan thinks that I'm good enough.
34:31So, yeah.
34:32Well, I was actually really gobsmacked that he came to me for this opportunity and I am really excited.
34:40So, yeah.
34:42Okay, here's the moment, Will.
34:50Oh, wow.
34:53Isn't she gorgeous?
34:56She's a cute little puppy.
35:02This is who I've nicknamed little Kim, Will.
35:05Thanks, Nat.
35:06No worries, mate.
35:11What do you reckon, Will?
35:13She's a lovely little puppy.
35:15Aww.
35:16As a pup of Banjos, that's quite a pedigree you've got there.
35:20What are your first thoughts?
35:21Well, she's very energetic and she's going to be a lovely dog.
35:25Lovely dog.
35:26Why do you think that?
35:28Because she's just got a nice nature about her.
35:31She's really friendly and she wants to play, so.
35:35She's definitely a little bit cheeky.
35:38But Nathan's quick to offer up a few tips.
35:41Start her on her back and, yeah, just comfort her.
35:45And then don't let her down until she's been calm.
35:48And just start that little bit of training.
35:52And then as soon as she stops moving, just give her a nice pat.
35:56Good puppy.
35:57Good luck.
36:00Yeah, thank you, Nathan.
36:01You'll have to have a name.
36:03You got any?
36:04At the rate she's gone, it's probably going to be Rascal, but hopefully she'll calm down a little bit.
36:10Well, she will.
36:11You work with her.
36:12You'll be right.
36:13I know you will.
36:14Yeah.
36:16Hey, you going to come work some cows?
36:18Hey.
36:18Going to come work some cows?
36:20Yeah.
36:21Yeah.
36:27This pup will probably be my main focus.
36:31She's going to be a good dog.
36:33Yeah, it's going to be interesting to see how the pup goes.
36:37Nathan is a very good dog handler and we both will be able to wrangle this pup and make it
36:43a good working dog.
36:52With puppy joy being spread across the country, it's time for Marlene and Hudson to finally make their delivery in
37:00Scotts Creek, New South Wales.
37:02So this is Lisa.
37:03To a very excited young lady, Phoebe.
37:07Are you excited?
37:08Yes.
37:08Are you really excited?
37:10Yes.
37:10Get super excited because this is Hudson.
37:16Hi Hudson.
37:18That's not a puppy.
37:19Hi Hudson.
37:20Hi Hudson.
37:21Hi Hudson.
37:23Darling Hudson.
37:24For once, the moment is not meant to be about you Hudson.
37:28Where's the puppy?
37:29You really want your puppy?
37:30Yeah.
37:30I think it's time.
37:32You have waited.
37:33Come on Hudson.
37:41Well, I have lots of dogs and I've got a horse.
37:45We live on 9,000 acres.
37:47I've got a sister.
37:48Her name's Bridie.
37:49Rydie's got two dogs and a horse.
37:52We have lots of fun riding together and working our dogs.
37:56And where do you go to school?
37:57We home school.
37:59And mum teaches us.
38:00We do maths, English and ag.
38:04Do you have a favourite subject?
38:06Ag.
38:07Because we're outside most of the time.
38:09I've got four dogs.
38:11I've got four dogs.
38:11One's called Mr Kelp.
38:12Well, we're going to get another mate.
38:14I've got another one who's called Kit Kat.
38:17Then I've got Nessa and Ruby.
38:18What sort of dogs are they?
38:20Kelpies.
38:21And collie collie cresses.
38:27I see a puppy.
38:30He's beautiful.
38:32Hello.
38:34Gorgeous boy.
38:35You're a beautiful big fella.
38:37You take him.
38:38You ready?
38:39Yep.
38:39Because this boy's not light.
38:41I can tell.
38:42Hello.
38:44Oh, hello.
38:45You're a beautiful boy.
38:47Aren't ya?
38:48Gorgeous boy.
38:50Hmm?
38:51Gorgeous.
38:52He has got the most beautiful temperament.
38:57I know.
38:58He's so gorgeous.
39:00Okay, get it.
39:01Ready?
39:02He's a heavy boy.
39:03He's a big boy.
39:06Look at the size of his paws.
39:09Yeah, you're a gorgeous boy.
39:10You look like your father.
39:11Yeah.
39:12You're beautiful.
39:14What are you first thinking?
39:15What are your thoughts, Phoebe?
39:16That he's handsome.
39:18He's handsome.
39:19What do you think about this fur on the back?
39:21Yeah, it's a beautiful coat.
39:23Have you noticed how crinkly?
39:27Yeah.
39:27It's almost like he's got girls.
39:29Yeah, he does.
39:30He reminds me of Banjo.
39:33Do you have a name in mind?
39:35Yeah, Leroy.
39:37Leroy.
39:38That's a cool name.
39:39What do you think, Bridie?
39:40I think he's going to be best friends with Phoebe.
39:43Aww.
39:46Gorgeous boy.
39:47It's not about you today.
39:49Excuse me.
39:50It is not about you.
39:51Oh, Hudson.
39:52Oh, Hudson.
39:53You just love attention, don't you?
39:57I think maybe Hudson was hoping for another collie instead.
40:10With a bond already developing between Leroy and Phoebe, it seems like these two are going
40:16to go far.
40:20Leroy, I can't wait to stop working with him.
40:24Hoping Marlene will teach me lots of things that I've never learned before.
40:29Something different.
40:30Some different training techniques.
40:31You and me are going to be best mates.
40:35Good boy.
40:37Good luck, you two.
40:39You make a very cute match.
40:49The love of a puppy is life changing, isn't it?
40:55Jack is ready to give a young bloke a banjo pup I reckon he's going to adore.
41:07His name is Jono.
41:09He's a teenager, a really, really nice kid.
41:12He's a townie like me.
41:13He grew up in town, but he loves farming and I see a lot of myself in him.
41:17He's never had his own working dog before, so I'm very excited to see how he goes.
41:22I think him and this pup that I've been calling Big Fella will get along really well.
41:29And waiting patiently too, believe it or not, is Aunty Pesto.
41:34This is the most settled I've seen her.
41:36I think you've got a bit of a way with dogs.
41:39Yeah, I reckon Jono.
41:40I reckon it's time you get a dog of your own.
41:42What do you reckon?
41:43Let's do it.
41:44Alright.
41:46Jono, how are you feeling about getting one of Banjo's pups?
41:50A bit nervous but also excited at the same time.
41:53I reckon it'd be pretty fun to teach my own dog.
41:55Well, I think you're about to find out.
42:01I'm 15 and I'm the fourth child out of six.
42:05And I work on a cattle and sheep farm just out of Mortlake.
42:10It's a family farm.
42:12Being a shearer's son, I've grown around sheep and dogs.
42:16Mainly just using them for mustering and for pen work.
42:20Do you study?
42:21Yes, I do a Cert II in agriculture, which is basically teaching me more and improving my skills in farming.
42:29What is it that you like about working dogs?
42:32Well, they're pretty handy in the yards and out in the paddock.
42:35They're very nimble and can get around the sheep quickly and catch the strays.
42:39So very fast.
42:43Here it comes!
42:47Oh, what a gorgeous pup.
42:49Here you go, mate.
42:50Your very first working dog.
42:54What do you think?
42:56Is it a boy or a girl?
42:57It's a boy.
42:58It's a boy.
43:01Oh, he's heavy and wriggly.
43:05And look at the ears.
43:07Aren't they gorgeous?
43:08Big and floppy.
43:10Do you have a name?
43:12Um, I reckon Ned.
43:14Ned?
43:15Yep.
43:15You're not going to go a food name?
43:17No.
43:18I thought he'd be like a bit of a porridge or something.
43:21No.
43:23Well, hello, Ned.
43:25Hello, Ned.
43:25Welcome to Jono's world.
43:27Ned with the big head.
43:29Look at him.
43:30Settled right down.
43:31Just like his Aunty Pesto.
43:33Hey, Pesto.
43:35Hey.
43:36Jealous.
43:43When I saw him, it just came to me that he's a Ned.
43:47I don't think his name is meant to be porridge.
43:51I'm a bit nervous about going through the process of training.
43:55Well, just coming into something new that I haven't experienced.
43:59Hopefully, I might have potential in training Ned and other dogs.
44:05I'd say you guys are going to do great.
44:14Boy.
44:15Yes, you're a good boy.
44:19Hi.
44:20It looks to me like five perfect matches.
44:23Ooh, kisses.
44:31Next time, it's the first day of school for our new recruits.
44:35Okay, Phoebe.
44:36The most important thing is establishing a bond.
44:39As the mentor sessions with our former Mustard Dog alumni officially get underway.
44:45Good boy, Chief.
44:46Good boy.
44:47And with a whole lot to learn about these gorgeous pups.
44:51Banjo.
44:53It may not be just the kids with a lot of work ahead of them.
44:56You're being so naughty.
45:00Get up, get up, get up.
45:02Feeling the love.
45:04All right, Jono.
45:05This is a really big responsibility, mate.
45:08Keep him coming.
45:09Keep him on the lesson.
45:10Don't let him get distracted.
45:11It's important for me to do something like this because as a young kid,
45:14so many people gave me opportunities and especially now I've got the knowledge to share.
45:18It would be really selfish and irresponsible of me to just keep it to myself, really.
45:23Being able to lift, you know, skills, help dogs get better and livestock understand things better
45:32makes me happy and feel purposeful like my life is offering something of real value.
45:38Enough.
45:47Yeah.
45:54Such a great delivery.
45:57Let's keep going.
46:01There you go.
46:05Thanks for any idea.
46:08And we'll see you next time on the other side.
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