Production

‘Outback Ringer’ premieres tonight

Beef Central, 20/10/2020

THE unique skills of bull catchers will be documented through a new ABC television series that premieres tonight, telling the stories of four groups of ‘outback ringers’ at various locations in the Top End.

Part one of the 10-part NT produced television series Outbac Ringers airs on ABC TV and iView at 8:00pm tonight.

An original concept by Darwinite Tom Lawrence, the series is produced by Ronde Media with Ben Davies (Bondi Rescue) serving as Executive Producer.

The show is set to provide audiences with a unique insight into the exhilarating world of ringers while showcasing the Northern Territory’s vast landscape and colourful characters.

The four awe-inspiring teams include husband and wife duo Liz and Willy Cook, Lach McClymont, seasoned bull catcher Kurt Hammer, and father and son Clary Shadforth and his 17-year-old Francis.

The Northern Territory Government provided $80,000 towards the production of the series, with the show generating $0.45 million for the Northern Territory economy through local purchases.

This locally filmed series was commissioned by ABC. Create NSW provided post production assistance on Outback Ringer.

The full-length series is the successor to ABC iView ratings winner Gun Ringer, which saw audiences first introduced to the fast-paced, high-stakes world of feral bull catching in the Northern Territory’s Top End.

The series will showcase the Territory to a global market comprised of more than 100 countries.

Director Screen Territory, Jennie Hughes said Outback Ringer is set to be shown in more than 100 countries.

“So this is a fantastic opportunity for those around the globe to gain a unique insight into an action-packed, highly specialised industry in the Northern Territory.

“Through funding and collaboration with Screen Territory, I hope that our evolving screen industry will see our rich Territory tales continue to be shared on a global scale.

“The production is a testament to the fact that screen content from the Northern Territory is clearly resonating with audiences in Australia and internationally.”

Outback Ringer producer, Tom Lawrence said he was excited to see the show go to air.

“Growing up in the Territory, I would always see cattle trucks on the highway so I have always been interested in the world of outback ringers and excited by the aspect of mustering at remote cattle stations.

“I feel very lucky and grateful for the support from the Northern Territory Government for providing funding towards this project and the local film industry.”

Cast member, Kurt Hammer said the series helped to show what the Northern Territory is like.

“There are a few characters, there’s the country and it will open up people’s eyes to what handling feral cattle is all about.”

Liz and Willy Cook said being part of Outback Ringer gave them an opportunity to show off the beautiful and unique Top End and those who call it home.

“It is a snapshot into the lives of the men and women of the remote Top End. There is no shortage of dust and classic character, a tenacious community we are proud to be a part of.”

 

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Comments

  1. peter bryan cave, 31/12/2021

    Seems OH&S isn’t a prerequisite to be an outback ringer.I can maybe forgive no helmets,but no safety glasses smashing through trees and termite nests.Given the nearest aid stations a bit of common sense would go astray.

  2. Carolyn McManus, 15/12/2020

    Hello
    This is one of the best shows we have watched. The half hour goes by in what seems like 5 minutes. What a way of life! Such hard workers in a very unforgiving climate and land. Good work to the cast and producers. Keep up the good work. Amazing viewing ..

  3. Robert Mackenzie, 08/12/2020

    ABC CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT LOOK INTO THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK AND JUST SOME OF THE STORIES THAT HAPPEN THERE.

  4. Andrew Reid, 06/11/2020

    Have seen the first episodes and blown away. On the edge of my seat the whole way through.
    I often wonder why the ABC does such a great job in the bush/outback delivering a story without the lecturing, posturing but struggle just about everywhere else.
    Think Landline and Backroads for the balanced. Kristy O’Brien from Landline always seems to be having the time of her life when delivering a story, it is infectious.

    Andrew

  5. Richard, 28/10/2020

    I see info about the Outback Ringer show on ABC on your site. Do you know why they do not use tranquilizer
    guns to help trap the cattle as that should be easier?

    Thanks for your comment Richard. Certainly Rompun (xylazine) used to be widely used as a tranquiliser in bull catching in the north when I was younger. Possibly two reasons why it is no longer used – time and money. It may simply be quicker and easier to use the mechanical arm. Editor

    • Peter, 02/12/2021

      Good question Richard. Tranquilising is still used but due to the withholding periods of meds used, the animals cannot be moved until the 30 days are up. We are trialing net guns as another option to the Tranquiliser use. We see that stock loose condition dramatically during the wait time.

  6. Jennifer Leslie, 27/10/2020

    The values depicted in this program are deplorable and I am appalled by the ABC’s decision to make such a thing. It is nothing more than the celebration of cruelty driven by profit without any critical analysis of moral imperatives. Shame on you ABC for investing tax payer’s money on this sort of outdated macho frontier bloke culture masquerading as something unique or was it—cultural diversity.

    • Carolyn McDonald, 01/12/2020

      Entirely agree with you Jennifer Leslie.

  7. Jo Oliver, 26/10/2020

    Who is narrating this?

  8. Elizabeth Shanahan, 21/10/2020

    ABC what has happened to you showing this garbage and promoting it ? You have lost my support I can tell you. You even had the headhunter on the radio praising his performance. This will stay in my mind for some time and I must end this message by saying how disappointed I am with the ABC and take some tell to trust your judgement again.

    • Carolyn McDonald, 01/12/2020

      Agree. I’d like to know what happened to those cattle when the truck rolled over. Ahh no, they wouldn’t film that. Likely some died and if any survived, highly likely sustained serious injuries. These people knew that road was dangerous to transport live cattle and potentially lethal for these animals.

  9. Patrick Francis, 20/10/2020

    This show might be good for television ratings but its a negative for the beef industry. The industry has spent years promoting practices around high cattle welfare, low stress cattle handling, MSA grading for higher beef eating quality, zero emissions by 2030, etc and this series undermines all these initiatives. Where does the micky bull beef end up?

  10. R Neil, 20/10/2020

    Great show, i hope it will push the Territory back to life again!

  11. David Connellan, 20/10/2020

    I’ve read that Lach McClymont is from a North Queensland grazing gamily. Which McClymont family is he out of? Angus, Malcolm or Alistair’s tribe, or one of the others?

    • james doyle, 21/10/2020

      David, i believe Lach is the son of a McClymont on the Darling Downs – Goondiwindi way. They will be related to the McClymont family from Richmond, Hughenden and Longreach

    • James Doyle, 21/10/2020

      Very interesting show that highlights the fact there is still a frontier for the beef industry.

      • Rob Gillespie, 22/12/2020

        There is a good ABC podcast from Conversations with Lach M . It covers his life growing up through to current day pretty much. It’s good listening.

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