One of the greats

FOR about 50 years, cattle grazier Pat Fennell has fought for equality in rural communities.

She has lobbied for improved education and health services, advocated better land care practices, spoken out about Indigenous affairs and promoted export opportunities to help northern farmers.

In June, the 82-year-old bush pioneer was named a Queensland Great, an honour accepted humbly and with some bewilderment.

“I didn’t get involved in agripolitics until the children went off to boarding school,” Pat said from the property she lives on outside Mount Isa with her husband Mark and extended family.

“I was too busy with the property, the lessons and feeding the stockmen until then, and while I do a bit of community and church volunteering now, I’ve been pretty quiet recently. “But I think it’s time I put the battle armour on again.

“Seems to me there’s nowhere near enough use of technology to bring patients and specialist doctors together in remote parts and no one is asking why.

“Video conferencing has been available in remote hospitals and clinics for years but is it really being used? I don’t believe so.

“Instead, people leave their families to go to cities for consultations. And it’s such a costly exercise.

“I wonder if anyone in Canberra or Brisbane has done the sums. I’ve found that sometimes the most damned obvious things are those overlooked!”

Pat grew up in Charleville in the state’s south-west, before moving to a cattle station near Winton as a newlywed. She spent years on isolated cattle properties near the Queensland-Northern Territory border before heading back to Mount Isa.

Pat’s involvements have included Landcare, the Women’s Council for Rural and Regional Areas, National Health Council and Cattle Council of Australia.

Helping establish the live cattle trade to Indonesia and the Philippines from northern Australia was among her successes.

“As I travelled around the Gulf country, I saw a golden opportunity to assist northern graziers to be on an equal footing with their southern counterparts,” Pat said.

“What a pity the public’s thoughts about live cattle have been misrepresented with the stories of ill-treatment from RSPCA and animal rights activists.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m absolutely against cruelty.

“The reality is we cannot control what goes on in other countries – and we can hardly point a finger when such cruelty has been going on in our own state in the greyhound racing industry.

“Stopping live exports was an absolute animal welfare disaster!”

With family – four children, 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren – living in mostly remote parts of Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, this Queensland Great is inspired to keep on fighting for services.

“Family is a blessing,” Pat said.

“If I can advocate for improvements affecting their lives and their children’s lives, I’ll be doing my bit to building a sustainable remote Australia.”

Pat's in distinguished company

Pat Fennell was the only woman among seven Queensland Greats announced in June.

Another notable inclusion was conservationist Steve Irwin, who was honoured posthumously.

Past greats include hairdresser Steve (Stefan) Ackerie, Anzac hero Ted Smout, medical researchers Laurie Powell, Adele Green, Ian Frazer and Julie Campbell, rugby league’s Wally Lewis and Wayne Bennett, winemaker Angelo Puglisi, environmentalist Aila Keto, and actors Geoffrey Rush, Diane Cilento and Deborah Mailman. Meals on Wheels, Red Cross, Blue Care and the RSL are among organisations included on the list.