Champion Dog's Offspring Benefit Regional Youth
Five children across regional Australia have received puppies sired by Banjo, the champion Kelpie from series three of ABC's "Muster Dogs." Banjo's handler, Kim Dodson, initiated a program with fellow participants from the show to mentor young people in mustering skills. This effort aims to support the next generation of farmers and address skill shortages in rural areas.
Mentorship and Skill Development
Each of the five "Muster Dogs" participants selected a child in their region to receive a puppy and ongoing training. The mentors expressed a desire to share their experiences from the show by mentoring children.
Recipients include:
- Eric (11, Tooborac, Victoria): Received Diesel and is being mentored by Kim Dodson. Eric works on his family's pig farm.
- Phoebe (11, Bingara, NSW): Received Leroy and is being mentored by Marlene Brewer. Phoebe is involved in agriculture as a homeschooling subject.
- Will (14, Kingaroy, Queensland): Received Rascal and is being mentored by Nathan Obst. Will assists with his family's stud bull farm.
- Cameron (16, Ethel Creek Station, Western Australia): Received Bindi and is being mentored by Blythe Calnan. Cameron, who experienced difficulties in the schooling system, is developing agricultural skills through this opportunity.
- Johno (teenager, Dunkeld, Victoria): Received Ned and is being mentored by Jack Kennedy. Johno, who grew up in a town, expresses an interest in farming.
Addressing Regional Labor Shortages
The initiative aligns with efforts to address labor shortages in regional Australia. A July 2025 roadmap from Jobs and Skills Australia indicated that 36.8 percent of regional jobs face hiring challenges, a figure higher than the 23.2 percent reported in major cities. Mentors like Nathan Obst highlighted the importance of encouraging young people to engage in agricultural careers within rural areas. The program seeks to provide practical skills and foster interest in farm work among the youth.