❤️ An International Women’s Day initiative to celebrate inspiring Durack women ❤️
⭐Lara Jensen is a passionate pastoralist from Wondinong Station, a remote cattle station 80 kilometres north-east of Mount Magnet. A dedicated advocate for regional communities, Lara has long campaigned for improved lighting on trains and level crossings in the bush. Her fight for better railway safety began after the tragic loss of her brother and two of his friends in a level crossing accident in 2000. A proud mum and regional champion, Lara represents many other families and continues to be a strong voice for change in rural Australia ⭐
An interview with Lara
Tell us about you?
My name is Lara Jensen. I live on a cattle station near the mining town of Mount Magnet with my husband and young family that I educate through School of the Air. I am a proud rural woman and I believe in giving back to the community at a time when the age of the volunteer is almost becoming a thing of the past. I am also a passionate rail safety advocate because of a terrible triple fatality that claimed the life of my brother and his two friends in the WA Wheatbelt in 2000. I believe that those of us who choose to live in regional Australia are entitled to expect far better than we receive across the board, whether it is in the areas of road and rail safety, health or education. I am a passionate rural Australian and I believe that our primary producers are the most self-reliant, resourceful and resilient human resource that Australia has and one that needs to be valued so much more than we currently are by our government, state and federal. My husband Jason Homewood and I bought our 77,000-hectare pastoral lease, Wondinong station, located 80km northeast of the mining town of Mount Magnet back in 2013. I was raised on a sheep station southwest of Mount Magnet and after a varied career in mining, agriculture and rural media, I was inherently glad to return to the bush. Like many other bush expats who find themselves living at the end of some gravel road again, I’m firmly of the belief it calls you home because you belong to it. It’s as simple as that.
What advice would you give to your younger self, considering the unique challenges that women often encounter in leadership roles?
Stick to your guns, stay true to yourself and never, ever, give up. Strong women not only stand up for themselves, they stand up for others too. I believe that comfort never built grit, in my role as a rail safety advocate and spokesperson for our families around Australia, it's been hard, trying, frustrating and difficult at times but I'll keep showing up for as long as it takes .
What word/s describe your leadership style?
I am a plain-speaking straight-shooting rural woman who has an inherent dislike for bureaucratic waffle. I lead by example, and I never give up.
What words of inspiration can you share with women in regional, rural and remote Western Australia?
Believe in yourself and keep showing up for what you believe in. Remember that you are the only you there ever has been or ever will be. Do everything with love, conviction and purpose. Be brave, stand your ground, back yourself and never, ever give up.
Who are the role models that have inspired you?
My Mum Catherine Jensen is one of my greatest role models. Mum raised me to be strong, independent and myself. I am eternally grateful to both my parents for raising me with the values of integrity, honesty and fortitude. My dear friend and rail safety co-campaigner Merrilea Broad is another of my greatest female mentors. Merrilea lost her daughter Jess in the same horrific crash as my youngest brother Christian and their friend Hilary Smith. Merrilea has been with me through some of the darkest days of our advocacy spanning many years. I love her strength, resilience and tenacity and the fact that she keeps right on showing up with me time and time again. Merrilea's strength and fortitude is truly inspirational and has helped to keep me strong during the lowest points in our journey for rail safety reform in Australia.
We thank you Lara, for what you achieve for your community and regional Durack 💙