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The Wooleen Way: Renewing an Australian Resource
A remarkable memoir detailing a heroic and unswerving commitment to renew the severely degraded land on Wooleen, a massive pastoral property in Western Australia's southern rangelands.
The outback conjures many images that the Australian psyche is built upon. Its grand vistas of sweeping dusty plains and its evocation of a tough pioneering spirit form the foundation of our prosperous culture. But these romantic visions often hide the stark environmental, economic, and social problems that have inadvertently been left in the wake of our collective past.
Through retelling the struggle of his family amid droughts, financial ruin, depression, and death, David Pollock exposes the modern-day realities of managing a remote outback station. Forced by a sense of moral responsibility, he set out on an uncharted course to restore the 153,000 hectares of degraded leasehold land that he felt he was obliged to manage on behalf of the Australian people. Then, just at the point when that course seemed certain to fail, the project was saved by the generosity and faith of everyday Australians.
This is an urgent story of political irresponsibility, bureaucratic obstinacy, industrial monopolisation, and, above all, ecological illiteracy in a vast segment of the Australian continent. It is a familiar story of overexploitation. Yet it is also a story of the extraordinary ability of the natural environment to repair itself, given the chance. After over a decade of his hard-won insights, Pollock outlines in The Wooleen Way a specific and comprehensive plan to reverse the ecological damage done to the pastoral resource since European colonisation. He also emphasises the economic and social necessity of carrying it out.
This is a story with national implications about a way to curb the conquering human spirit so that it aligns with the subtle power of the natural landscape.
The outback conjures many images that the Australian psyche is built upon. Its grand vistas of sweeping dusty plains and its evocation of a tough pioneering spirit form the foundation of our prosperous culture. But these romantic visions often hide the stark environmental, economic, and social problems that have inadvertently been left in the wake of our collective past.
Through retelling the struggle of his family amid droughts, financial ruin, depression, and death, David Pollock exposes the modern-day realities of managing a remote outback station. Forced by a sense of moral responsibility, he set out on an uncharted course to restore the 153,000 hectares of degraded leasehold land that he felt he was obliged to manage on behalf of the Australian people. Then, just at the point when that course seemed certain to fail, the project was saved by the generosity and faith of everyday Australians.
This is an urgent story of political irresponsibility, bureaucratic obstinacy, industrial monopolisation, and, above all, ecological illiteracy in a vast segment of the Australian continent. It is a familiar story of overexploitation. Yet it is also a story of the extraordinary ability of the natural environment to repair itself, given the chance. After over a decade of his hard-won insights, Pollock outlines in The Wooleen Way a specific and comprehensive plan to reverse the ecological damage done to the pastoral resource since European colonisation. He also emphasises the economic and social necessity of carrying it out.
This is a story with national implications about a way to curb the conquering human spirit so that it aligns with the subtle power of the natural landscape.
384 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2019
14 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
David Pollock
29 books2 followersDavid Pollock lives in Edinburgh and has reviewed over 1,000 festival shows in the city. He is an arts writer whose work has appeared in The Scotsman, The List, The Guardian, The Independent, The Herald, The Times, The Courier, The Stage and The Big Issue, and in music magazines including Mixmag, Electronic Sound and Record Collector. He is a judge for the Fringe Firsts and the annual Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS).
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June 17, 2020The astonishing story of reviving the oldest land on Earth. The Wooleen Way is a revelation.
Tim Flannery
Written in simple, accessible language devoid of cant or dogma, this is a work of bracing intellectual honesty. All Australians who take environmental issues seriously must read this book. 4.5 STARS
Chris Saliba, Books+Publishing
With passion, wisdom, and keen observation, David Pollock has conducted a master class of regenerative rangeland instruction, supported by a do-able plan. The Wooleen Way should be read and absorbed by every agricultural/environment minister in the country and by their departmental staffs, whilst the principles outlined should be taught in all our agricultural colleges.
Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC, former governor-general of Australia and former governor of Western Australia
David tells his story with detail, care, humour and an endearing vulnerability. This 360-page paperback is a personal story of a man with a deeply rural heart and love of the land who wants to see it return to its former glory ... It’s a great read for lovers of autobiographies or anyone who wants to understand rural Australia, and particularly vital for anyone interested in livestock production in semi arid country.
R.M. Williams Outback
Through retelling the struggle of his family amid droughts, financial ruin, depression, and death, David Pollock exposes the modern day realities of managing a remote outback station ... This is an urgent story of political irresponsibility, bureaucratic obstinacy, industrial monopolisation, and, above all, ecological illiteracy in a vast segment of the Australian continent.
Sunraysia Life
The Wooleen Way is an engaging, must-read for anyone managing land in this nation. It will both challenge and reassure all farmers.
Sarah Hudson, Weekly Times
Fiercely intelligent, hopeful and candid, this is an engaging and personal read that will appeal to pastoralists as well as anyone with a passing interest in the environment and the impact of humans and farmed animals on the Australian landscape.
Eliza Henry-Jones, Organic Gardener Magazine
Tim Flannery
Written in simple, accessible language devoid of cant or dogma, this is a work of bracing intellectual honesty. All Australians who take environmental issues seriously must read this book. 4.5 STARS
Chris Saliba, Books+Publishing
With passion, wisdom, and keen observation, David Pollock has conducted a master class of regenerative rangeland instruction, supported by a do-able plan. The Wooleen Way should be read and absorbed by every agricultural/environment minister in the country and by their departmental staffs, whilst the principles outlined should be taught in all our agricultural colleges.
Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC, former governor-general of Australia and former governor of Western Australia
David tells his story with detail, care, humour and an endearing vulnerability. This 360-page paperback is a personal story of a man with a deeply rural heart and love of the land who wants to see it return to its former glory ... It’s a great read for lovers of autobiographies or anyone who wants to understand rural Australia, and particularly vital for anyone interested in livestock production in semi arid country.
R.M. Williams Outback
Through retelling the struggle of his family amid droughts, financial ruin, depression, and death, David Pollock exposes the modern day realities of managing a remote outback station ... This is an urgent story of political irresponsibility, bureaucratic obstinacy, industrial monopolisation, and, above all, ecological illiteracy in a vast segment of the Australian continent.
Sunraysia Life
The Wooleen Way is an engaging, must-read for anyone managing land in this nation. It will both challenge and reassure all farmers.
Sarah Hudson, Weekly Times
Fiercely intelligent, hopeful and candid, this is an engaging and personal read that will appeal to pastoralists as well as anyone with a passing interest in the environment and the impact of humans and farmed animals on the Australian landscape.
Eliza Henry-Jones, Organic Gardener Magazine
February 16, 2021
The Wooleen Way is an interesting insight into the aims and ideals of a Western Australian pastoralist to make his property sustainable and environmentally sound, not just for the present but for the future.
David Pollock’s story begins with his recollections of growing up in the outback on a vast station in Western Australia and goes on to tell of his overseas travel and young adult years. While this is not the essence of the book it provides a background to his love of the land and farming.
When his father retired from farming he invited both sons to provide an outline of how they would manage the property. David’s brother, the elder of the two and the son most likely to inherit the job proposed to continue in the manner that had been the way of life for generations. David, who had a kinship to the land rather than farming, proposed methods of regeneration and conservation through destocking and allowing the land and waterways to heal.
Australia is a country unlike any other; only truly understood by its indigenous people. Knowing no other method, the early European pioneers farmed the land the only way they knew how. Being passed down from generation to generation it has resulted in the degradation of this ancient land, extinction of Australian wildlife and continuing assumptions the old ways are the best ways. They knew no better but now there is a voice demanding a change.
It took over 10 years but under David’s new approach the land began to heal; water ran clear, overgrazing by kangaroos controlled, perennial plants (some David didn’t even know existed) grew again and the dingo was allowed to do its job controlling feral pests and protecting small native marsupials.
In his attempt to do the right thing for his land and its conservation and restoration, David time and again came up against bureaucracy. His constant battles would have most sane men surrender but David and his wife Francis keep fighting for what they believe in. He exposes the faults and maladministration of the bureaucratic systems governing pastoralism in WA.
As his mother did on a small scale, they opened their home to tourists to survive financially – yet another issue to fight the bureaucrats.
He admits and recognises his own mistakes and maintains his humour throughout writing candidly and honestly.
I now follow David and Francis’s work on social media and applaud every success they achieve and richly deserve.
The Pollock’s story is a lesson for every Australian.
I believe this book should be in every public and school library. Maybe if we start with making it essential reading for students in agriculture, animal husbandry and conservation our youth of today may discard the old practices and head down the Wooleen track.
Let’s not blame our early white Australian pioneers for trying to farm as they did in England – let’s just get on and the job of repairing this country done.
David Pollock’s story begins with his recollections of growing up in the outback on a vast station in Western Australia and goes on to tell of his overseas travel and young adult years. While this is not the essence of the book it provides a background to his love of the land and farming.
When his father retired from farming he invited both sons to provide an outline of how they would manage the property. David’s brother, the elder of the two and the son most likely to inherit the job proposed to continue in the manner that had been the way of life for generations. David, who had a kinship to the land rather than farming, proposed methods of regeneration and conservation through destocking and allowing the land and waterways to heal.
Australia is a country unlike any other; only truly understood by its indigenous people. Knowing no other method, the early European pioneers farmed the land the only way they knew how. Being passed down from generation to generation it has resulted in the degradation of this ancient land, extinction of Australian wildlife and continuing assumptions the old ways are the best ways. They knew no better but now there is a voice demanding a change.
It took over 10 years but under David’s new approach the land began to heal; water ran clear, overgrazing by kangaroos controlled, perennial plants (some David didn’t even know existed) grew again and the dingo was allowed to do its job controlling feral pests and protecting small native marsupials.
In his attempt to do the right thing for his land and its conservation and restoration, David time and again came up against bureaucracy. His constant battles would have most sane men surrender but David and his wife Francis keep fighting for what they believe in. He exposes the faults and maladministration of the bureaucratic systems governing pastoralism in WA.
As his mother did on a small scale, they opened their home to tourists to survive financially – yet another issue to fight the bureaucrats.
He admits and recognises his own mistakes and maintains his humour throughout writing candidly and honestly.
I now follow David and Francis’s work on social media and applaud every success they achieve and richly deserve.
The Pollock’s story is a lesson for every Australian.
I believe this book should be in every public and school library. Maybe if we start with making it essential reading for students in agriculture, animal husbandry and conservation our youth of today may discard the old practices and head down the Wooleen track.
Let’s not blame our early white Australian pioneers for trying to farm as they did in England – let’s just get on and the job of repairing this country done.
May 18, 2020
David Pollock is not a natural writer, and there is a self-consciousness about his writing that gives a slightly stilted and defensive tone. Nonetheless, he captured really well the experience of growing up on a remote pastoral property, where his mother's hospitality in opening her house up to tourists meant that it teetered between profitability and ruin. He did not necessarily intend to become a farmer, having spent much of his early adulthood travelling the world, and as the second son, it would have been more conventional for his older brother to step into his father's shoes. But his father, who was obviously a flexible thinker, asked both sons to spell out their vision for the property...and gave the management to David.
He then goes on to describe his decade-long experiment on returning the land to an earlier state. Unlike his neighbours, he chose to run cattle instead of sheep; he greatly reduced the stocking rate; he embraced the return of the dingo as a sign of progress; and he shot the kangaroos and goats that threatened to overrun the property and undo all that he had achieved. This set him up for conflict with his neighbours and with the local Land Conservation District and the Pastoral Land Board. He disdains bureaucrats and distrusts government...Actually, he's a pretty prickly fellow, and you can sense why he might alienate people around him.
For my complete review, please visit:
https://residentjudge.com/2020/05/18/...
He then goes on to describe his decade-long experiment on returning the land to an earlier state. Unlike his neighbours, he chose to run cattle instead of sheep; he greatly reduced the stocking rate; he embraced the return of the dingo as a sign of progress; and he shot the kangaroos and goats that threatened to overrun the property and undo all that he had achieved. This set him up for conflict with his neighbours and with the local Land Conservation District and the Pastoral Land Board. He disdains bureaucrats and distrusts government...Actually, he's a pretty prickly fellow, and you can sense why he might alienate people around him.
For my complete review, please visit:
https://residentjudge.com/2020/05/18/...
July 20, 2025
I have followed the Wooleen station story since the Australian story launched the struggle underway between David and Francis Pollock and the archaic Leasehold System that exists in Western Autralia. Their struggle to rehabilitate a special part of the Southern Rangelands by de-stocking completely for 10 years has been blocked by a biased system which influences all decisions needed to maintain the traditional model in place to govern the leaseholders trapped on their own leases.
I wonder where the model for governorship was first formulated 130 years ago, somebody must have used an existing model from an environment completely different to that of the rangelands, an environment with less droughts, more rains, no feral animals, and completely different flora and fauna. The regime in place expects parstoralists to perform a miracle each season, denude the perennials and annuals their stock exist on then rely on nature to perform another miracle (replace the feed) even in drought each year.
David has to fight all this every day. His book is a window into a world the rest of us can't imagine. I have seen goat herders in Syria with 20 goats and not a blade of grass or twig in sight just rocky ground without topsoil and I wonder if they once had anything like what our rangelands have? Are we heading for their 'normal' environment. It is happening now, one small loss every day.
I wish I had read this book before visiting Wooleen Station this year. Keep fighting David, I'll vote for you for PM! (Seriously)
I wonder where the model for governorship was first formulated 130 years ago, somebody must have used an existing model from an environment completely different to that of the rangelands, an environment with less droughts, more rains, no feral animals, and completely different flora and fauna. The regime in place expects parstoralists to perform a miracle each season, denude the perennials and annuals their stock exist on then rely on nature to perform another miracle (replace the feed) even in drought each year.
David has to fight all this every day. His book is a window into a world the rest of us can't imagine. I have seen goat herders in Syria with 20 goats and not a blade of grass or twig in sight just rocky ground without topsoil and I wonder if they once had anything like what our rangelands have? Are we heading for their 'normal' environment. It is happening now, one small loss every day.
I wish I had read this book before visiting Wooleen Station this year. Keep fighting David, I'll vote for you for PM! (Seriously)
June 10, 2019
The Wooleen Way by David Pollock
This is a story of Wooleen Station in the Murchison region of Western Australia, and yet it is so much more than the story of one station. This book reads like a blueprint for the future of Australian agriculture and is a model that could even be adopted in similar environments worldwide. David Pollock examines in detail the degradation of the land since white settlement. He researches vegetation native to the region, overstocking, introduced species, indigenous land management and water management providing foresight and insight in how to move forward for the future of agriculture. Throughout the book I felt frustrated on pastoralists behalf due to the bureaucracy of governments and the various departments. The pastoralists have long been traditionalists when it comes to managing the land but it is heartening to see David’s model influencing centuries of tradition through families on the land. I would love to see a copy of The Wooleen Way placed in every Politian’s hand with the requirement to read it. The topic is critically relevant now in our critical climate environment. Very readable and hard to put down, I would highly recommend this book to anyone on the land or in suburbia – this is a story every Australian needs to read RIGHT NOW!
This is a story of Wooleen Station in the Murchison region of Western Australia, and yet it is so much more than the story of one station. This book reads like a blueprint for the future of Australian agriculture and is a model that could even be adopted in similar environments worldwide. David Pollock examines in detail the degradation of the land since white settlement. He researches vegetation native to the region, overstocking, introduced species, indigenous land management and water management providing foresight and insight in how to move forward for the future of agriculture. Throughout the book I felt frustrated on pastoralists behalf due to the bureaucracy of governments and the various departments. The pastoralists have long been traditionalists when it comes to managing the land but it is heartening to see David’s model influencing centuries of tradition through families on the land. I would love to see a copy of The Wooleen Way placed in every Politian’s hand with the requirement to read it. The topic is critically relevant now in our critical climate environment. Very readable and hard to put down, I would highly recommend this book to anyone on the land or in suburbia – this is a story every Australian needs to read RIGHT NOW!
October 23, 2019
An engaging biography and DIY for the rangelands. A well reasoned, practical and persistent approach to a 'wicked problem'- the historic and ongoing degradation of the largest land-use in the largest State of Australia. When the problem and the causes are looked at as part of a complex system - which The Wooleen Way does very well - the solutions do not look very complicated: cut the grazing pressure (to nothing in some cases) and get the perennials back in whatever way is possible.
And balancing the native and feral herbivores with a native predator - dingoes - makes a huge amount of sense. As David points out, and many other programs for reintroducing native predators have found, having a peak predator in the mix can give surprisingly positive results.
Spreading blame for the amount of historic degradation in the rangelands is a temptation which David mostly avoided - but I agree that we now need to find ways of supporting pastoralists to forego grazing income in the short term to rehabilitate the land and build pastoral capacity for the long term. David and Frances's business nearly collapsed from the financial pressure of their rehabilitation program, and it was only the unusual persistence of these 2 that saved the day.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in rangelands, caring for the land resource, or acting to deal with large personal challenges.
And balancing the native and feral herbivores with a native predator - dingoes - makes a huge amount of sense. As David points out, and many other programs for reintroducing native predators have found, having a peak predator in the mix can give surprisingly positive results.
Spreading blame for the amount of historic degradation in the rangelands is a temptation which David mostly avoided - but I agree that we now need to find ways of supporting pastoralists to forego grazing income in the short term to rehabilitate the land and build pastoral capacity for the long term. David and Frances's business nearly collapsed from the financial pressure of their rehabilitation program, and it was only the unusual persistence of these 2 that saved the day.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in rangelands, caring for the land resource, or acting to deal with large personal challenges.
October 16, 2019
A standing ovation. What a vision, what a work, what an outcome. What a fascinating, un-put-downable story ... Man!
What gifts (Frances, EMU, Australian Story, a responsive public .. in the very nick of time). What hurdles (Pastoral organisations, ANZ bank, our very own government ..)
But 'the Wooleens' did it - and the proof's in the regenerating Wooleen landscape, beautifully described and photographed.
So we watch closely to see which elected leaders have the wisdom to champion lessons learnt at Wooleen: that skilful conservation of our precious, renewable rangelands resource and skilful, sustainable grass-fed meat production CAN work hand in hand. Page 314 sets out the (chartered, but as yet unheeded) regulation and support that’s needed. As David, the Wooleen Way author states: 'If the renewing of the resource [the rangelands] is not the direct target of any proposed solution, we should be very wary as to whether it is a solution at all ..’
‘... It [the Rangelands] is a renewable resource, which means that if we use it without over-stretching its capacity, we should be able to use it indefinitely … To be able to use it forever has a value that we do not yet have a measurement for …' Bravo, David and Frances.
What gifts (Frances, EMU, Australian Story, a responsive public .. in the very nick of time). What hurdles (Pastoral organisations, ANZ bank, our very own government ..)
But 'the Wooleens' did it - and the proof's in the regenerating Wooleen landscape, beautifully described and photographed.
So we watch closely to see which elected leaders have the wisdom to champion lessons learnt at Wooleen: that skilful conservation of our precious, renewable rangelands resource and skilful, sustainable grass-fed meat production CAN work hand in hand. Page 314 sets out the (chartered, but as yet unheeded) regulation and support that’s needed. As David, the Wooleen Way author states: 'If the renewing of the resource [the rangelands] is not the direct target of any proposed solution, we should be very wary as to whether it is a solution at all ..’
‘... It [the Rangelands] is a renewable resource, which means that if we use it without over-stretching its capacity, we should be able to use it indefinitely … To be able to use it forever has a value that we do not yet have a measurement for …' Bravo, David and Frances.
December 15, 2022
Regenerative agriculture is a passion of mine and one that I not only adhere to but believe in for restoration of the land.
Reading this in among the heaps of books I read was an indulgence and an inspiration.
This man’s journey illustrates the warts and all process and the economic highs and lows of adopting this practice.
David Pollock’s station is 153000 hectares and had endured drought, overgrazing and bad management.
Regeneration is a method of letting grazing animals lightly rotate over areas and then letting it rest.
The sciences behind the microbes being activated by manure and urine very interesting.
The book covers his restoration plan, how to economically survive and leave the land to the next generation in better shape.
Moral responsibility and the generosity of the Australian people the major green lights for success.
Admittedly this type of book will only appeal to small cross section of society but it’s ideals should become common knowledge.
It gives the consumer a compass when selecting regenerative branded foods in the future.
As the world becomes over populated and polluted it is nice to know that this movement will contribute to a better outcome.
Everyone has a role to play in helping Mother Nature.
Reading this in among the heaps of books I read was an indulgence and an inspiration.
This man’s journey illustrates the warts and all process and the economic highs and lows of adopting this practice.
David Pollock’s station is 153000 hectares and had endured drought, overgrazing and bad management.
Regeneration is a method of letting grazing animals lightly rotate over areas and then letting it rest.
The sciences behind the microbes being activated by manure and urine very interesting.
The book covers his restoration plan, how to economically survive and leave the land to the next generation in better shape.
Moral responsibility and the generosity of the Australian people the major green lights for success.
Admittedly this type of book will only appeal to small cross section of society but it’s ideals should become common knowledge.
It gives the consumer a compass when selecting regenerative branded foods in the future.
As the world becomes over populated and polluted it is nice to know that this movement will contribute to a better outcome.
Everyone has a role to play in helping Mother Nature.
September 3, 2019
An amazing book, which uses David's personal story as a way of illustrating a much bigger challenge. I'd give this six stars if I could.
On a personal level, I found it incredibly inspiring. We all have days where we feel overwhelmed by all our worries and things we have to get done. But imagine trying to manage a 165k hectare property (bigger than some countries) that's falling apart after decades of abuse. Full of feral animals eating what little feed is left. 300km of fence to fix. Drought. Your brother won't talk to you. A massive loan and the Bank wants to evict you. Your neighbours think you're nuts. Oh, and you find out you have Diabetes.
But one of the interesting challenges David highlights is how we're going to manage land. The "lock it up and leave it" approach works for small parcels of land such as National Parks. But that only scales so far - these will always be a relatively small area. So what should we do about the rest? There needs to be some commercial return, but how can this be managed in a sustainable manner? David has a neat definition of sustainable: the underlying asset (the land) improves rather than degrades, producing more not less over time.
On a personal level, I found it incredibly inspiring. We all have days where we feel overwhelmed by all our worries and things we have to get done. But imagine trying to manage a 165k hectare property (bigger than some countries) that's falling apart after decades of abuse. Full of feral animals eating what little feed is left. 300km of fence to fix. Drought. Your brother won't talk to you. A massive loan and the Bank wants to evict you. Your neighbours think you're nuts. Oh, and you find out you have Diabetes.
But one of the interesting challenges David highlights is how we're going to manage land. The "lock it up and leave it" approach works for small parcels of land such as National Parks. But that only scales so far - these will always be a relatively small area. So what should we do about the rest? There needs to be some commercial return, but how can this be managed in a sustainable manner? David has a neat definition of sustainable: the underlying asset (the land) improves rather than degrades, producing more not less over time.
March 8, 2020
I grew up in regional Western Australia and now work in environmental science and yet I didn't know much about pastoralism before reading this book. What an eye opener. I can't believe how badly managed the industry is and how incompetent the governing bodies are. The lack of impact assessment / monitoring is shocking and it's hard to comprehend how long this industry has been left unchecked.
Well done to David for speaking out against antiquated views and management practices. It's refreshing to see there are people out there trying to make a difference with long terms goals in mind. This book shows just how difficult that is in the face of personal financial struggles and without support (or more accurately being hindered) from relevant authorities.
I enjoyed the book because I learned a lot and the writing style was engaging. It was obviously well researched and some interesting comparisons were made to other industries such as fisheries. I've seen that various politicians have been passing this book around so hopefully one day we can see some legislative changes that have a meaningful impact. It doesn't hurt to dream anyway.
Well done to David for speaking out against antiquated views and management practices. It's refreshing to see there are people out there trying to make a difference with long terms goals in mind. This book shows just how difficult that is in the face of personal financial struggles and without support (or more accurately being hindered) from relevant authorities.
I enjoyed the book because I learned a lot and the writing style was engaging. It was obviously well researched and some interesting comparisons were made to other industries such as fisheries. I've seen that various politicians have been passing this book around so hopefully one day we can see some legislative changes that have a meaningful impact. It doesn't hurt to dream anyway.
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December 6, 2019This book is much better than I anticipated. That view was based on the fact that David is a man of the land and not a trained writer! Well I have to say, that is no longer the case! He has a really nice 1st person style and I enjoyed reading as much as I appreciated the gravity and importance of the subject matter.
This book should be on the national school book curriculum and therefore read by all school children. This story is one that should be a cautionary tale of the risks of not studying the grasslands, rangelands and bush vegetation of each and every state in Australia before agricultural activity is planned!! Seems so obvious. So much common sense but sadly we live in ever divisive times. I thought that your work is of national significance before I read your book, now I believe you have chronicled your solutions for generations to come and may end up as the basis of regeneration in a climate changed environment. We can only hope!!
This book should be on the national school book curriculum and therefore read by all school children. This story is one that should be a cautionary tale of the risks of not studying the grasslands, rangelands and bush vegetation of each and every state in Australia before agricultural activity is planned!! Seems so obvious. So much common sense but sadly we live in ever divisive times. I thought that your work is of national significance before I read your book, now I believe you have chronicled your solutions for generations to come and may end up as the basis of regeneration in a climate changed environment. We can only hope!!
September 30, 2020
I enjoyed reading The Wooleen Way, especially the great depth and detail David Pollock illustrates the WA rangelands and the future of farming.
The book shares some interesting insight to how such degraded and almost considered desolate/ unviable pastoral lands can be improved and made sustainable. David Pollock shares his reflections of life which coincide with the knowledge being a pastoralist in some of Australia’s harsher country. Failures to successes, and honesty in knowing the solution to farming in the WA rangelands is still distant, this book has it all and will either give ideas that can be implemented or help readers conjure up ideas to rehabilitate their own land.
A very humanising read as David shares the financial, visioning, corporate, weather struggles and more, but also gives readers some solutions appropriate to be spread amongst other pastoralist all the way to government.
Overall I enjoyed the read and am inclined to visit Wooleen Station one day.
The book shares some interesting insight to how such degraded and almost considered desolate/ unviable pastoral lands can be improved and made sustainable. David Pollock shares his reflections of life which coincide with the knowledge being a pastoralist in some of Australia’s harsher country. Failures to successes, and honesty in knowing the solution to farming in the WA rangelands is still distant, this book has it all and will either give ideas that can be implemented or help readers conjure up ideas to rehabilitate their own land.
A very humanising read as David shares the financial, visioning, corporate, weather struggles and more, but also gives readers some solutions appropriate to be spread amongst other pastoralist all the way to government.
Overall I enjoyed the read and am inclined to visit Wooleen Station one day.
October 3, 2019
This is an amazing book. It's inspiring, infuriating, full of hope and also depressing. Every Australian and all of those who think we can just colonise another planet should read this.
David fights against the odds, the banks, bureaucracy and the staggeringly inept government to regenerate his pastoral lease, Wooleen Station. Over the years of European farming the land has slowly degenerated until it really is nearly all over - some of the slower growing sandalwoods for instance may never regenerate due to overgrazing and over stocking. He has managed to rectify the situation to a certain degree but has had to fight all the way. The whole incompetence regarding the Native Title act just beggars belief. This man should be put in charge of the whole of WA as he seems to have a plan and get on with the local indigenous groups as well.
David fights against the odds, the banks, bureaucracy and the staggeringly inept government to regenerate his pastoral lease, Wooleen Station. Over the years of European farming the land has slowly degenerated until it really is nearly all over - some of the slower growing sandalwoods for instance may never regenerate due to overgrazing and over stocking. He has managed to rectify the situation to a certain degree but has had to fight all the way. The whole incompetence regarding the Native Title act just beggars belief. This man should be put in charge of the whole of WA as he seems to have a plan and get on with the local indigenous groups as well.
August 29, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read about a farmer's struggle to develop sustainable farming practices on his enormous station in the WA rangelands. It is a very personal and somewhat polemical account, but his love of the land, deep knowledge, passion for sustainable farming all shine through. It is not a technical manual at all, in fact there is not a lot a lot of detail on HOW to sustainably farm this land - possibly because (as is broadly hinted at through the book) it may not be defensible to run cattle (and certainly not sheep) on such marginal land, at all. He largely survives off ecotourism / farmstays now, and I would very much like to visit and stay on his land, and learn more from him in person one day - I warmed to him very much and belive I'd very much enjoy learning about his land from him.
May 21, 2024
A detailed account of David's childhood growing up on a 150,000ha (1500km2) Western Australian pastoral property. Like most of the other properties it was severely degraded from cattle, sheep, goats and kangaroos grazing, so when he took over he was determined to destock and restore it. It was difficult to control the subsequent invasion of goats and kangaroos so following someone else's advice he encouraged Dingoes onto the property. They got rid of foxes, goats and kept the kangaroos in check but all his neighbours hated him! The book goes into great detail about the various government departments failure to help pastoralists in a meaningful way and outlines what they did at Woolean to gradually restore the property. Well worth reading even if you skip some of the technical stuff!
October 15, 2019
This is a book intended to get the word out.
It is a story of the near broken Australian landscape and a young couple’s courageous attempts to revive their portion, a vast outback station. Both engaging and educational ‘The Wooleen Way’ will have you chuckling, incredulous, touched and awaiting the sequel.
David Pollock and his equally extraordinary wife, Frances, have illustrated a way forward for renewal of a most precious resource, our land. Perhaps this new paradigm, based on understanding, can now be embraced by the rest of us.
It is a story of the near broken Australian landscape and a young couple’s courageous attempts to revive their portion, a vast outback station. Both engaging and educational ‘The Wooleen Way’ will have you chuckling, incredulous, touched and awaiting the sequel.
David Pollock and his equally extraordinary wife, Frances, have illustrated a way forward for renewal of a most precious resource, our land. Perhaps this new paradigm, based on understanding, can now be embraced by the rest of us.
October 9, 2019
What a great read! David has a story to tell and some suggestions to those who can make the changes - it is a quick read and one that makes a lot of sense. I just hope that the men and women who sit in our parliament have all got their hands on a copy and take the time to read it. The suggestions made from the experience at Wooleen, if implemented, will have a marked impact on our environment and the future of our land!
October 12, 2019
This is the most honest approach to pastoral management that you’ll ever read. After getting knocked back at every turn the Pollocks never gave up. Now after struggling through and surviving in one of Australia’s harshest climates the changes been seen prove the proof is in the pudding. While destocking is controversial as is supporting the dingo, it is now starting to look like this is the only way to continue sustainable management of WA biggest assets. The environment.
October 14, 2019
The Wooleen Way is a fabulous and inspirational read highlighting what a driven person can achieve simply by having a plan and "sticking" to ii, no matter what obstacles get in the way. The book is a motivational tool to people who need inspiration in achieving their dreams. The book also highlights what we can do to save our pastoral areas by adopting "non standard" ways and working against the "we've always done it that way mentality" it is a roadmap to achieving "Change". Highly recommended
November 18, 2019
A truly inspiring story of 'a little guy with big ideas'. He literally is 'a lone voice in the wilderness'. It is a remarkable story of a young man who saw a way to bring the land back to life by using techniques that flew in the face of accepted practice. His vindication is the signs that the land is starting to heal while the bureaucrats still have their heads in the sand. David's drive and determination to carry it through is awe-inspiring. This book should be required reading for everyone.
July 3, 2019
Absolutely fantastic! I can't stop telling people about this book and imploring them to read it.
I want to hand this book to every politician, commentator, journalist, senior executive and bureaucrat. If they read nothing else in 2019, this book could change their thinking and their actions.
Further review to come.
I want to hand this book to every politician, commentator, journalist, senior executive and bureaucrat. If they read nothing else in 2019, this book could change their thinking and their actions.
Further review to come.
August 7, 2020
Great to read about what they are doing to try and regenerate the land! Amazing to read the bureaucracy in politics! So silly! It’s going to take another generation to see effective results! But a great easy read!
October 12, 2020
A visionary pastoralist attempts to regenerate his desperately degraded rangelands station. Impassioned commitment against social & economic forces and despite abysmal failures of governance. Why aren't land resources managed like fisheries?
October 21, 2023
Interesting read. Focused on regenerative agriculture for a pastoral station in WA. Demonstrates important & difficult realities of institutional & government politics & obstructions to good sense & science & sustainable futures.
December 27, 2024
It's really important reading if you live in Western Australia. We should all know how the pastoral lands are managed, and David tells his story so expertly, it's a joy to read, even if the challenges of overturning the colonial extractive system sometimes seem insurmountable.
June 27, 2025
A very interesting and important story. It is quite long-winded and information dense in places as if he had to put down his every thought but may be interesting to others attempting regenerative farming.
ps we will be there in 3 days time!
ps we will be there in 3 days time!
June 14, 2021
Lyn bookclub 2021
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