Rupert famously grew up on a farm in the middle of outback Queensland. He was so remote that he did primary school through a VHF radio. He is the CEO and founder of Wundar, a mentoring platform to connect people with mentors within their school, university or with associated alumni.
Wundar Website:
www.wundar.com.au
Rupert on Instagram:
@rupert_ballinger
Verbatim from the transcripts — each quote links to the moment.
“Cows are just the marketing vehicle.”
“No one loves and cares for animals more than farmers. You know, they will do anything for an animal to survive.”
“It's just that, you know, don't shoot, we can't shoot the messenger. The farmers are just trying to provide for society and feed their own family.”
“We've just taken to it like a seagull on a chip.”
“It's not like icebergs at Bondi where every second person takes a photo. Yeah, it's better in real life.”
What should people understand before criticizing farmers over animal welfare issues?
Rupert argues people should separate conversations about farming as a livelihood from genuine animal cruelty issues, noting that farmers care deeply about their animals since it's their business and income, and that bad practices shown in exposés are upsetting to farmers too — the issue should be addressed respectfully rather than blaming all farmers broadly.
How can a city person actually go and experience the real outback rather than just visiting tourist spots?
Rupert suggests leveraging personal connections — thinking of someone you grew up with or went to school with who might have a friend or family member on a farm, reaching out to them directly rather than booking a generic tour, to get an authentic experience like staying on a working cattle station.
Rupert recalls an ex-Qantas pilot who flew his own twin-engine plane onto the family property's dirt airstrip after dark, excited by the challenge compared to landing on a big tarmac like JFK.
Drawn from the episode transcripts.
Qantas (Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service) was founded by WWI pilot Hudson Fish, sheep grazier Fergus McMaster, and mechanic Paul McGuinness, with Longreach as one of its early hubs; guest Rupert Ballinger's grandmother was the first baby to fly with the airline.
From episode 238→According to Rupert Ballinger, 'bushie' is largely a Queensland term for people from the land generally, while within farming there are distinct groups — graziers (sheep/cattle), croppers (grain/crops), and intensive vegetable growers — each considered a different stereotype.
From episode 238→Mentioned on 1 episode Rupertwasn’t on.
Every episode featuring Rupert Ballinger on The Daily Talk Show.
