Maggie hails from Elfinvale Kelpie Stud at Casterton, but is now home on the farm near Tocumwal with the Wilson family.
When you’re on you’re on.
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And Ben and Abby Wilson are on.
With three little farm boys waiting in the wings, this Tocumwal farming family has got all bases covered, including kelpie duties.
“Maggie is from Elfinvale Stud Kelpies down at Casterton and she’s a good dog,” Ben said.
The Wilsons grow winter crops, maize, hay for export, run ewes and fatten lambs. Harrison, 11, Charlie, 9 and Darcy, 5 all attend Tocumwal Public School with the two eldest boys playing for the Tocumwal Football Netball Club.
It would be safe to say there’s never a dull moment.
“Maggie is a hybrid, she’s a work dog but she’s a pet as well, she loves a cuddle and is allowed inside the house sometimes,” Abby said.
Prudence the ute dog refuses to take part in the sheep work with the eager Wilson boys.
When Country News visited the Wilsons, Maggie was very busy awaiting instruction on what to do with the mob of ewes in the yards. A rich chocolatey brown colour and with a calm temperament, it is hard to believe she gets cranky when pregnant, and is known to fight tooth and nail with unknown dogs.
At five years old, Maggie has had two litters of pups and did her apprenticeship of sheep-doggery under Pip, the Wilson’s previous kelpie, who at 17 sadly passed away.
The sheep yards are a training ground for sons and dogs as Ben gives direction. There is no shortage of eagerness as work shirts and the work dog zip about, thrilled to be involved.
“I want to be like Dad when I grow up, I want to drive tractors,” Harrison said.
It is the middle son Charlie who sparks up at the mention of sheep work.
“I love moving sheep and shearing time. I like sweeping and having a go at shearing,” he said while patting Maggie.
Young Darcy must know that nothing moves without road transport as he declared, “I’ll drive the truck!”.
With all the hype it would be easy not to notice a second dog, hiding in the tray of the ute.
“That’s Prudence, she’s a ute dog and she hates sheep,” Ben said.
The boys and Maggie work together, instinct kicking in on both fronts; gates are swung, sheep are walked away and Prudence is convinced to get out of the ute.
Maggie has done her day’s work and is looking for a rest, but for the boys (and their Mum-taxi) it’s off to footy training.
Ben Wilson with his dog Maggie and sons, Charlie, Harrison and Darcy (front).
Charlie Wilson loves moving sheep and so does Maggie.
Learning the ropes, Harrison Wilson tries his hand at directing Maggie in the yards.
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