Powered by our people: Cass Chambers, Sales Agronomy

In Western Australia’s Gnowangerup Shire, the ‘Lucinda Tanks’ (named after the iconic wildflower of WA, Lucinda’s Everlastings) are the latest installation to the tourist attraction trail. A brainchild of Gnowangerup volunteer group GNP360, the tanks are part of the Horsepower Highway — a line up of 20 vintage tractors along the Broomehill-Gnowangerup Road, which now also boasts a mural of local women painted onto emergency water supply tanks.

Artist Jerome Davenport painted the portraits of local women who serve the community – from paramedics and firefighters to farmers, agronomists and shearers. Nutrien Agronomist, Cass Chambers is one of the faces of the mural, and she shares her story here:

I grew up on our family farm in Ravensthorpe, and my parents, two of my brothers and their families are still there. As a kid, my parents were heavily involved in local grower groups and research trials, so I spent a lot of time in the paddock and at field days, and that’s where I became more interested in agronomy.

After boarding school in Perth for five years I went to the University of Western Australia and studied Agricultural Science and Environmental Science. In my final year I got a job with ‘The Farm Shop’, one of the legacy Ruralco businesses, which then transitioned into a graduate agronomy position bringing me down to Gnowangerup.

I’ve been in Gnowangerup for just over four years, and came over to Nutrien in the merger in February 2020. I service Stirling Ag (Tambellup and Gnowangerup) as well as the Lake Grace Branch. This means lots of time on the road, but it’s been great to see the different seasons and farming systems.

What’s the mural all about?

The mural is about the transition of the views of women in rural towns. One comment I used to get a lot when I said I lived and worked rurally was, ‘Oh, are you a teacher or are you a nurse?’ and they’re always surprised when I’d say, “No, I’m an agronomist.”

We’re moving away from the concept of women coming to rural towns to marry a farmer – we are the farmers! There is incredible diversity in our career paths. We are teachers and nurses, but also volunteer ambulance and fire brigade, farmers and sportswomen, daughters, mothers and grandmothers, agronomists and animal health advisors. I wouldn’t know anyone in our small community that would only fit into one ‘category’ and that makes me very proud.

How did you come to be featured on the mural?

The mural came about as part of The Horsepower Highway – an initiative to attract tourists to take the scenic route and drive the Gnowangerup Broomehill Road, down the Formby South Rd to the Stirling Ranges. There a several tractors along the road, each with a different theme.

The Lucinda tractor, painted pink, is placed in front of two tanks. One tank covered in Lucinda’s Everlastings and the other painted with faces of local women. I was asked to be a part of the mural by organiser Cassandra Beeck.

How do you feel about being featured on the mural?

A bit weird driving past and seeing your face painted on a tank! But I’m also happy and proud to be part of a community of such strong rural women.