Cooinda

Cooinda

The purchase of Cooinda Station in early 2010, provided CPC with increased back grounding capacity. The property is located in Queensland’s central west, approximately 70km north of Winton. Cooinda is in close proximity to Mimong station (140km) and is situated approximately halfway between Wrotham Park and Nockatunga. Cooinda’s location also provides a good spelling center for Queensland bound cattle from CPC Northern Territory properties.

Cooindas 24,000 hectares is predominantly Flinders and Mitchell Grass country, receiving on average an annual rainfall of 350 mm. In favorable conditions it runs approximately 3,000 to 4,000 head, primarily receiving weaners from the company’s breeder blocks. These weaners are generally either grown out and trucked to Nockatunga for finishing or sold into domestic markets.

Early pastoral holdings of the Winton district tell the story of an aggregation around 40,000 hectares of which Cooinda was a part. The early pioneers, who took on the challenge of inadequate surface water, are the same people who put Cooinda on the map.

In 1896 Edward Balgarnie and his partner Stewart undertook a bold attempt to sink a bore to a depth of more than 4,000 feet. The drilling was the subject of regular newspaper articles "Boring Notes", which circulated widely throughout outback Queensland. When Balgarnie and Stewart struck water, not only was the flow sufficient to fill bore drains all over their property, they were able to demonstrate the benefits of a successful artesian bore. Hence the productivity of Cooinda increased, marking its name on the map.

 

Cooinda productivity is still well noted in town as locals regard the block as one of the districts best blocks.

Mark Walsh & Amanda Shandley
Cooinda Outstation & Mimong Manager
Joined CPC in
2012

Before starting with Consolidated Pastoral Company at Cooinda early 2012, Mark managed Saltern Creek and Audrystone Stations at Barcaldine for four years.

Born in Cunnamulla and growing up on a property near Julia Creek, Mark finished his secondary schooling at Mount Carmel, Charters Towers, before commencing his career in the pastoral industry.  Based from Barcaldine, Mark worked for various contractors, mustering, yard building and droving for a number of years before heading to the Kimberleys in 1993 where he worked on Liveringa and Nerrima Stations.  In 1994 Mark was contract mustering around Alpha and Clermont and in 2002 started working for Carpentaria Helicopters managing mustering camps on Vanrook, Beetaloo, Benmara and Dunbar.  During 2005 and 2006 Mark, ran his own contract mustering camp on Lorraine and Percol Plains. 

2007 saw Mark travel to Canada and the USA competing in saddle bronc riding, making two finals in Canada, on his return to Australia he made the Pro finals in 2008.  Mark and Amanda have a daughter, Rylee.