When you pitch a show to us that’s all about dogs and women working the land, we are interested. Muster Dogs has been a popular show with Australian viewers, The Weekly among them. We sat down with two of the breakout stars of the hit series, Marlene and her dog Hudson, to get a deep dive into their lives and experiences on the show.
What is your background in farming?
My dad had always worked as a station manager, but I’d grown up in town. How I ended up on the land, I don’t know! I think it was just my love of horses and dogs and animals in general that got me here, but I’ve been doing it for over 30 years.

What was your starting point?
I got into my first property with my then-husband, but that was a situation that dissolved, and I chose to stay with the farm. I started out as a wool classer; we were running about 3000 merino sheep here. And then I had to learn to run the farm by myself and manage the stock by myself and having sheep was just too hard work.
It’s not easy country. It’s not flat country. It’s very hilly and there’s a bit of scrub and I’m boarded by national park. So I said to myself, if I’m going to do this, I’ve got to be able to manage it. And cattle were a lot easier, so I transitioned from 3000 plus sheep and a small herd of cattle, to being 95 percent cattle and a very small mob of poll Dorset sheet.
I was doing it solo for a very long time. I have my son home with me now, which has only happened in the last 12 months.
And what is your background working with dogs?
Doing it solo for all that time I had to learn how to muster and manage stock myself and the only way I could see doing that was to develop my skills as a horse person and learning to train dogs to help me do my work.

Border Collie or kelpie – what was your preference?
I’ve always had both breeds and always really respected the differences in the breed. They make great teamies. They work great together. They just have different strengths.
When I started I had a male Kelpie and a female Border Collie – Rusty and Tiffany. But they became my teachers. I was really lucky to have a couple of really lovely dogs that I’ve learnt a lot from.
They must be great companionship when you’re on your own, too.
A hundred per cent. I just really love dogs and horses. They get to know your mood swing so they have been very important to me – much more than just being a tool or part of my job.
There’s nothing like sitting on a rock on top of the hill when you’re having a bad day and you’ve got your dog and your horse with you.

Why were you keen to do Muster Dogs?
I really believe in the power of working dogs and how they transform the way you manage livestock. And I thought that that was going to be a chance to share my journey, particularly being an older female and a woman in agriculture.
Thirty years ago, it wasn’t easy for women to get any sort of recognition in the industry. It was a really tough gig and people didn’t give you the kudos or the credit that you would possibly be able to run a farm. It was challenging. And maybe I had something to prove.
I also wanted to bring some visibility to women in the industry. It’s changed now, which is a great thing because I think women make much better livestock managers than men. There’s a natural affinity. This isn’t about “women can do what men can do.” What it is about is women that can take something and do it their way. And do it successfully.

Tell us about your your early days with Hudson. How did you settle in?
I was just so, blessed to be gifted this dog, this Hudson, because he was so easy. He was just so willing and so intelligent. I honestly didn’t feel I had an obstacle. That dog challenged me Every time to put something new on the table because he just wanted to learn. He’s an amazing dog.
What are your plans for the day the show comes out?
I’ll watch it with my son and his wife and my granddaughter – she calls me Grammy – and I’ll even do popcorn.
She must be excited to see her Grammy on the TV!
She even has her own little model Hudson dog. She plays with her horses in her farm set and Hudson goes off and musters the feral goats and the sheep.
Is Hudson prepared to see himself on the big screen, too?
He’s this big fluffy, ball of … Everyone just wants to pet him and say hi, and it frustrates me because he’s so friendly. But you know, that’s the beauty of his temperament and his nature.
As for seeing himself on the big screen? The thing that makes him so happy honestly is just to be able to spend time with me, doing what he has to do. I obviously want him to be the champion dog, but, no spoilers, to me he is a champion. By 10 months of age he was out already doing station jobs, already mustering cows and calves.
Where can I watch Muster Dogs Season 3?
Muster Dogs season 3 debuts Sunday, February 2 on ABC and ABCiview.