Home » 2017 » For the love of harvest

For the love of harvest

FOR 73 years, Philip ‘PK’ Templeton has watched the Mallee change and grow from the seat of his header.

Now 88 years old, PK drives a header that’s a far cry from the stripper he worked with the help of a team of horses in 1940.

He and fellow grain grower Rob Allen – who just completed his 64th consecutive harvest – tell a story of droughts, mouse plagues and kerosene tractors.

They recall hunting rabbits to buy a tractor and shoveling dust from the house during wild dust storms.

It’s the story of more than six decades and 140 harvests.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (December 12).

Digital Editions


  • Cross-border crime crackdown

    Cross-border crime crackdown

    A MAN has been hit with 26 charges after police uncovered a stash of allegedly stolen vehicles, machinery, weapons and drugs during a cross-border crime…

More News

  • Merino theft link to killing refuted

    Merino theft link to killing refuted

    THE family of slain Ouyen farmer Richard Wills has dismissed rumours he was targeted by organised livestock thieves, as police continue to hunt his alleged killer. Mr Wills’ loved ones…

  • Trio developing into champions

    Trio developing into champions

    FOR Swan Hill’s Charli Conway, Meg Young and Sadie Spitty, the past two weeks hasn’t been spent like many of our region’s holidaying school students. The trio have taken the…

  • Swans fly home for weekend

    Swans fly home for weekend

    The Swan Hill men’s soccer team will look to continue their winning start to their 2026 season when they host Castlemaine Goldfields FC at home on Saturday. It will be…

  • Citizens welcomed

    Citizens welcomed

    AUSTRALIA’S newest citizens were welcomed at ceremonies in Robinvale and Swan Hill on Wednesday, concluding many long journeys to call Australia home. Wamba Wemba Elder Steph Charles opened the proceedings…

  • Three-way Nationals race looms

    Three-way Nationals race looms

    A THREE-way contest is set to decide the next Nationals candidate for one of northern Victoria’s safest seats, with party members to choose a successor to retiring heavyweight Peter Walsh…

  • Cracking a blossoming career

    Cracking a blossoming career

    A MALLEE farm boy turned engineer has taken out one of agriculture’s top honours, after forging a career that blends tractors, technology and cracks open big picture thinking. Bryce Neyland,…

  • Little gardeners play in the sun

    Little gardeners play in the sun

    FAMILIES soaked up some autumn sun this week at the third annual Fun for Little Gardeners event at George Lay Park, making the most of the school holidays. As the…

  • Motown magic hits as Big Chill comes alive

    Motown magic hits as Big Chill comes alive

    A HIT film that helped revive a music empire is roaring back to life, with powerhouse voices and a live band bringing the soul of a generation to Australian stages.…

  • Qantas growth ‘forced Mildura closure’

    Qantas growth ‘forced Mildura closure’

    MILDURA’S Qantas services will remain unchanged despite the air carrier cutting domestic flights, while adding international capacity, as it faces a potential $800 million hit from higher fuel prices. Mildura…

  • Communities encouraged to speak up

    Communities encouraged to speak up

    VICTORIAN Farmers Federation is calling on regional community members to make submissions to the Murray Darling Basin Plan Review. Consultation for the 2026 review opened on 5 February, inviting stakeholders…