Polar opposites don’t attract

By Daneka Hill

Jul 14, 2022

Gem was the first to notice the visitor. After barking from a distance she softly approached with a dipped head and lay at the reporter’s feet for pats. In comparison, Rusty marched up, glared, barked twice and pranced off. Photo by Daneka Hill

It’s a case of polar opposites on the Stedmans’ sheep and cropping enterprise in Caniambo. Their senior herding dog Gem is gentle, intelligent and a good listener, while her up-and-coming replacement Rusty has been labelled a boofhead and “a bit different” by the workers and farmer Locky Stedman.

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How many dogs are on the farm?

There is Gem, Rusty and my sister’s border collie Tilly.

Tell us about Gem.

Gem is six years old maybe. Six, seven, eight — somewhere in there. She’s getting older. She’s a pure kelpie and our herding dog. She’s really good with the sheep, she listens to you most of the time and she’ll do what you want, which makes things a lot easier. She’s pretty shy.

Gem and Locky Stedman. Photo by Daneka Hill

What’s Rusty like?

Rusty is Dad’s dog (Trevor Stedman). He’s only learning and would be a year old. Rusty is supposed to be the up-and-coming one but he’s a bit of a s***-head.

The handsome Rusty strikes a pose ... Photo by Daneka Hill

... then takes a break to lick the trailer. Photo by Daneka Hill

Do you only have one main working dog?

Gem is still the main working dog. She’s just a really good dog and she loves to be by your side, whether you’re on the tractor, on the bike or whatever. And she really likes to go around the sheep.