Luke Harris
I was born In Maryborough Vic 1971. Growing up, my father worked on a large free range poultry farm that also ran a herd of Herefords that I was fortunitly exposed to, this is where I developed a love for the breed.
Following school I completed an apprenticeship in Graphic Reproduction and worked within this trade for 8 years. At the age of 26 I joined the Army and spent the next 24 years in the Army with postings that included; Wodonga, Darwin, Canberra and Sydney.
During my Military Career I deployed to East Timor, Iraq 3 times and to Afghanistan. I also spent time in India and the UAE. Highlights included working as an Instructor at the Royal Military College – Duntroon and as a Company Sergeant Major within 2 Special Forces Units; 2nd Commando Regiment and the Special Operations Logistic Squadron.
After 24 years I was discharged due to the state of my mental health which had been on the decline over the last 6 years of my service. During my transition out of the Army, we built a home on a property that was purchased a number of years earlier at Talgarno, just out of Albury Wodonga and along the banks of Lake Hume. An area that we selected to be closer with our family. Our original plan was to run the property as a small hobby farm with sheep, pigs, chooks and yes, a few cows.
I contacted Ian Locke from Wirruna with the intent of buying 4 PTIC easy calving cows who had already successfully raised at least one calf. Ian did a fantastic job of looking after us and of providing information and advice. We attended a Wirruna sale and came home with a Bull and 6 Cows (it had begun).
It quickly became apparent that caring for the cattle and immersing myself into cattle management was incredibly beneficial to my mental health. So without formal intent I increasingly became aligned to living the life of a cattle farmer. All of my interactions with seed stock producers, rural suppliers, vets and Herefords Australia were incredibly positive, leaving me feeling optimistic about the next chapter of my life.
I would best describe myself as a YouTube Farmer as it’s played a significant role in my education for day to day farming activities, such as fencing, working within cattle yards, minor animal husbandry issues and I have defiantly watched too many Hoof GP videos.
"It quickly became apparent that caring for the cattle and immersing myself into cattle management was incredibly beneficial to my mental health. So without formal intent I increasingly became aligned to living the life of a cattle farmer."
Luke Harris, Harbrae Herefords
“I think our friends and family are constantly amazed at what Luke and I get up to each day, but we love what we are doing and get so much joy from our cows. Our learning curve is steep but we have been so well supported by the people in the Hereford industry.”
Nina Harris, Harbrae Herefords
Nina Harris
The majority of my working life has been spent in the military, I initially joined the Army Reserve and then transferred to the Australian Regular Army 31 March 1998 at the age of 24. My trade training was as an Operator Supply and I ultimately became a Regiment Quartermaster Sergeant Major. During my 25 years in the Army I worked my way through to the ranks to achieve Warrant Officer Class One and had postings that included Units in Sydney on multiple occasions, Townsville, Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Darwin and Albury.
I have deployed Operationally overseas to East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Banda Aceh, Papua New Guinea and Iraq. I look back at my time spent at The Royal Military College – Duntroon, the 6th Aviation Regiment and the Special Operations Engineer Regiment as one of the first female RQs within the Special Operation Command as pivotal points in my career.
Some highlights of my service include the opportunity to represent the Royal Military College – Duntroon on a visit to United States Military Academy, West Point, NY and I also travelled to Albuquerque, New Mexico as part of a contingent of soldiers from the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.
I had an exceptionally rewarding career and was very fortunate to work with some truly amazing people, I’ve gone to some incredible places as well as some places that I would rather forget!!. Unfortunately 25 years in the Army spent in physically and mentally demanding workplaces both here and overseas took their toll, and in November 2021 I was medically discharged from the Army due to a mental illness.
Our property here at Talgarno brings me a great deal of peace and serenity, as well as sense of purpose post the Army. These things are helping me to slowly heal and adjust to life outside the Army.
Our herd of Herefords brings me a very unexpected sense of happiness. I would never have believed anyone that told me my future would include things like weighing new calves, vaccinations, drenching, prepping cows for AI, feeding bulls or even washing, clipping and blow drying cattle ready for the show ring.
I think our friends and family are constantly amazed at what Luke and I get up to each day, but we love what we are doing and get so much joy from our cows. Our learning curve is steep but we have been so well supported by the people in the Hereford industry, the advice and guidance we receive helps us every single day and we are humbled and grateful to all those people who spare the time to talk to us and answer all our random questions.