Elle Woodgate, 26, has worked for Brad Obst at Nutrien East Gippsland Livestock for 18 months and next week will mark her second Mountain Calf Sales.
The fact she is the only female livestock agent based in East Gippsland makes absolutely no impact on her.
“I don’t see the difference, there are definitely some older farmers who do, but I don’t class myself differently from anyone else,” Elle said.
“I go to work, I’m as efficient as the blokes and we all work as a team.
A farm girl at heart, Elle Woodgate grew up in Buchan around ‘a lot of Hereford cattle and crossbred sheep’.
At the time, working as a livestock agent was not on Elle’s agenda until she received a call out of the blue from Brad offering her a job.
“I actually told him I didn’t think I would suit the role,” she said.
“I get really nervous and shy around people all the time.”
Elle’s farming experience began with her father, Craig Woodgate and other Woodgate family members like Golly and Melva, Kevin and Tammy.
“I helped in the shearing sheds rouseabouting when I could, riding my horse helping with mustering,” Elle said.
“I always loved agriculture, but it wasn’t really until I left home that I learnt the major skills.”
Elle headed north at about age 18 like a lot of young people do, moving to Queensland working on cattle stations.
“In the first week my first boss taught me how to cut calves, taught me how to dehorn, it was a lot different to how we operated at home.
“Down here I was allowed to put the buttons in and do the ‘girl’s jobs’ sorts of things but within the first week up there that’s when someone took the time to teach
me, gave me a role and a responsibility and so I kept doing it and kept loving it,” she said.
Elle spent three years in Queensland, a year in the Northern Territory and then another year in the Kimberleys.
“You were out there, so remote, you had to do it because you were part of a team and everyone had to chip in their weight,” she said.
A badly broken collarbone meant Elle returned home to spend time to mend.
After rehab she started working on farms in Black Mountain, for the Coopers and Gordon Moon, and rouseabouting as well.
Which was when Brad’s well-timed job offer came in.
Elle was hesitant and took some persuading because she felt she didn’t have the confidence needed.
“Brad just believed in me that I’d be right for the job and so then I said ‘Ah, what have I got to lose’.
“He gave me the confidence to do it, and now, one of the parts I enjoy the most is the people and the relationships I make.
“Six months ago, I wasn’t so confident to have open discussions with farmers about different things but it’s coming a little bit easier for me.
“Personal growth has been the biggest thing for me in the past 12 months.”
Brad said he called Elle about the job for two reasons.
“I’ve always thought of Elle as a sensible young person and we were looking for someone really capable,” Brad said.
“So far it’s out worked out very well.
“She’s grown in confidence both personally and professionally, plus she’s competent and good at her job.
“The skills Elle has brought to the table was a skillset we didn’t have, she’s come up with a great format for our online market reports, as well as our pen cards, she’s taken us back to the lead with them.
“I think it’s also because she’s looking at the situation with fresh eyes, no past practices or prejudices in the industry behind her.”
Elle takes pride in her work and admits to being an ‘organiser’.
“I like having things organised, the pen cards, the photos of clients cattle, I make sure everything is advertised correctly, the more modern stuff, promoting our clients’ cattle the best way we can.”
The Nutrien EGL sale, a legacy of the Sharp Fullgrabe sales, starts at 10am on Tuesday, March 5, at the Hinnomunjie yards, and is the opening sale of the Mountain Calf Sales.
