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Kent Saddlery History - A 21 Year Journey
Left to Right: Jamie, Josh with Naima, Mike, Leah with Ena, Paul, Kim, Tom, Jessica, Ben Janelle, Daniel with Jacob, Shirley, Sonia, John, Helen, Lyle
Kent Saddlery was established in 1988, when we (Lyle and Helen) decided to make a big change from vegetable farming to saddlery. Lyle had developed a keen interest in leather work during the 1960's when as a ringer on Humbert River Station, he regularly repaired saddles and other leather gear. During the 17 years in which we farmed, Lyle always maintained an interest in leather work, and in our first little house he had a leather work bench set up in the living room. In 1988 we built the granite rock saddlery workshop, Helen returned to teaching for four years, and Lyle began full time saddlery training.
Camballin Station (now Liveringa), west Kimberleys,
1991, Landcruiser and trailer.
In 1991 we began travelling to the North and West of Australia, setting out with our Landcruiser, trailer, our four boys, Ben Daniel, Jamie and Paul, and family pet dog "Jock". Our eldest daughter, Leah, was working in Toowoomba and stayed behind. Helen was pregnant with our youngest daughter Jessica, born in Derby, WA in August of that year.
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Moola Bulla Station, Halls Creek, 1998
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We'd been told that horse work in the North was a thing of the past and that helicopters and motorbikes had taken over; so it was with some uncertainty we ventured into the Kimberley region of WA to look for work repairing saddles. We soon discovered that horse work was very much alive in the Kimberley, and we spent six months moving between several stations doing lots of saddle repairs.
As he dismantled and repaired the saddles, Lyle learned a lot about the different styles of saddles, and as a result, began to develop a style of fender stock saddle which he believed would be rugged, low maintenance, and comfortable for the rider, as well as good on the horses' backs.
Stopped for a break, 1998
Since then, the travelling component of our business has changed dramatically from repair work to promotion and sales of our saddles and gear. The mail order component of Kent Saddlery is rapidly expanding, and we believe this is largely due to the travel, and improved access to internet services for outback people. Our website attracts a lot of interest, and the online shop is becoming very popular.
During 2008, we again visited over 100 cattle stations in an area covering the NT, Kimberleys, Qld Gulf and Channel Country. Our trips around the cattle stations of the north and west of Australia are always interesting and stimulating, and we invariably come home with fresh ideas following feedback received from our customers. With station ringers coming from all over Australia, we've found more and more that our saddles and gear are being spread far and wide. A saddle bought on a station could end up anywhere, as satisfied customers show them to their neighbours and friends. Consequently, we have sold into every Australian state and territory, and have also exported saddles overseas.
Night Shopping, Mistake Creek, 2008
We are grateful for the tremendous growth in our business since our first visits to the outback cattle stations, when we were welcomed with friendship and generous hospitality. Our annual ‘trip' continues to be the highlight, and the welcome is just as warm. Kent Saddlery has developed as a family business, and in 2009 all of our adult children and two spouses are involved.
2008 was an eventful year! Daniel and Sonia's son, Jacob Sean, was born on New Year's Day, and Ben and Janelle were married on February 10. Josh's Dad, John, has joined to deal with the “books”, and Sonia's sister Kim, helps out with packing and posting, and miscellaneous jobs, including playing with Naima, Ena and Jacob. We've imported a couple of “outsiders”, and Tom and Mike are learning leather making skills. Quite a crowd!
Isuzu Truck with Macro Gooseneck,
Barkly Tableland, 2007
We began taking cattle station group photos in 2001 – it seemed like a good idea at the time. 2001 is relatively recent history, but as people look at the earlier photos the value of those photographic records is evident. Young fresh-faced ringers are now Head Stockmen and Managers, and sweethearts of earlier days are now old married couples. We've come to regard the photos as a valuable part of our travels, and are assured, from many positive comments over the years, that they are valued and appreciated. (See Station Photos)
Ben and Janelle went for a successful three week Saddlery/holiday trip to the Queensland Cape in September/October 2008, and enjoyed the experience. It was a steep learning curve for Janelle who'd never been up close and personal with green frogs and cane toads! She wants to publicly thank Ian Rush at Wrotham Park for the valuable lesson in kicking cane toads out of the pathway…. with the assistance of rubber thongs!
Jessica completed Year 12 at the end of 2008, and is planning a gap year for 2009. The family fondly remembers her birth at Derby in 1991. Leah had travelled from Toowoomba to be with us at Camballin, and when Helen started having contractions, we all piled into the Landcruiser for the 120km drive to Derby hospital where Jessica was born that night. Josh then came to WA, and he and Leah announced their engagement. It was a memorable, exciting time.
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Jessica's lolly shop, Koongie Park Station, 1998 |
Jess in "school", Auvergne Station, 1998 |
We used to tell Jess she has probably visited more cattle stations than any other girl in Australia. During her primary school years, she travelled with us, doing school work sheets and journals, and receiving a broad and enriching extra-curricular education. She gradually stayed at home with siblings for longer periods, but up till Year 12 spent some time with us on “the trip”. She formed friendships with other children at the cattle stations, and remembers clearly details of people, events and places.
2007-2008 were times of amazing expansion for Kent Saddlery, and we had to adjust quite rapidly to the changes. We'd already completed some extensions to the workshop and office areas, but found ourselves needing to build more sheds and a smoko room facility to accommodate more machinery and workers. Josh and Leah and Daniel and Sonia were all keen to bring their children to work, so the smoko room includes kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. We've constructed a child proof fence around a play area adjacent to the office and everyone is able to keep an eye on the littlies. Most days it's literally a hive of activity, and the three little cousins are learning to live together in harmony!
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Jacob, Naima and Ena
Workshop and play area, 2008 |
Latterly, on the trip, we've heard an occasional comment along the lines of “how much longer do you think you'll keep travelling?” With the acquisition of the Hino Supafloat, we're keen to keep travelling. 21 years in business is significant and we look forward with hope and anticipation to each day with the possibilities for fresh ideas and innovations – meeting with established and new customers, and the opportunity to provide good quality equipment and saddles. |
