Story
Call of the wild
words & PHOTOGRAPHY matt webster
It’s dry, dusty, remote scrubland, and the rain doesn’t make it past the other side of the hill.
The dust kicks up as you pull into the driveway, making your way past the vast network of wombat burrows that line the entrance to Everything is Pawsable.
Eventually, a solitary wombat reveals itself. Butt first, then the rest.
It darts across the long narrow road and skuttles into the scrub.
In the distance you can see ‘the farm’, a collection of buildings and animal pens, surrounded by vast scrubland.
When you arrive, you are greeted by a furry, fluffy and feathered collective; a few dogs, a cat or two and a chicken.
Within no time, you meet ‘Nulla’ the camel, ‘Bob’ the alpaca, ‘Edna’ the goat, and a pair of peckish ostriches.
No, this isn’t a nursery rhyme, it’s not Narnia – but they’re not just farm animals either.
Nulla, Bob, Edna and the pair of ostriches are just some of the ‘co-workers’ in an unusual, yet very special NDIS support service on the outskirts of Truro.
This little menagerie is helping children build resilience, find their voices, and rediscover the joy of play in the wild.
The property is a perfect place for re-wilding. It feels organic, earthy, raw.
It’s a place to build connection to nature, animals, and people.
Amanda Murdoch, who co-founded the business with her wife Kimberlee, has spent almost 20 years working in early childhood education.
Her passion has always been for what she calls “tricky kids”, the ones who don’t fit neatly into boxes and are too often misunderstood.
“It’s all about power with, not power over” says Amanda.
“I don’t use the word no and I don’t use the word don’t. Instead, I guide them to make the choice themselves.”
That philosophy, known as language of listening, underpins her work.
If a child asks to ride a horse on a windy day, Amanda won’t dismiss them outright.
She’ll point out the gusts, wonder aloud if the horse would enjoy it, and let the child answer for themselves.
“If they ask to ride the horse and it’s windy, I’ll say, ‘I’m noticing the wind, I wonder if the horses would like it today?’ They answer it themselves, and there’s no tantrum, no upset. Because I never said no.”
Kimberlee said her journey here is something that felt like a calling, a reaction to something she felt was needed.
Both of her children are NDIS participants, and through years of advocacy, navigating medical systems, negotiating with agencies, and fighting for support, she discovered not only a deep understanding of the system but also a passion for helping others.
“I went to Canberra to advocate for one of my clients and even spoke in Parliament. For me, it’s always been about fairness and social justice,” she said.
Together, the two women balance the business.
Kimberlee handles advocacy, coordination, and the administrative backbone that keeps the farm running, while Amanda focuses on mentoring, support work, and parent coaching.
“One young client sat with two dogs on her lap for multiple visits without speaking, then one day, sitting in the dirt, she just started talking. The animals gave her the safety to find her voice.”
- Kimberlee Murdoch
In just over 12 months of operation, what began with Amanda’s childcare background and a handful of animals, has grown into a sought-after service with a reputation that spreads largely by word of mouth.
“It’s not about creating dependence it’s about seeing people thrive, and ideally not need us,” said Kimberlee.
It is easy to see why families are drawn here.
The property is a child’s dreamscape and the isolation brings a sense of calm.
In the middle of parched paddocks and low scrub, children can climb, dig, build, and roam.
You don’t need an iPad here.
There are loose parts for construction, ropes for swinging, and trails for hiking.
Risky play, climbing trees, balancing on logs, even exploring shallow wombat burrows with head torches is encouraged, always with calculated care.
“Risk is part of life, and kids need to experience it safely,” says Amanda.
“One of our mottos is, ‘I can do hard things,’ because life will always throw challenges at you.”
The animals are central to the experience.
Horses, dogs, pigs, ferrets, camels, and more – each offer unique points of connection.
Some children gravitate to the gentle giants like Custard the cow or the alpaca, Bob.
Others find comfort in the smaller creatures.
“Often it’s the ferrets,” Kimberlee laughs. “They stink, but the kids adore them.”
Amanda explained that some of the children who arrived have been completely non-verbal, silent even with their parents.
Over time, sitting quietly among animals, something shifts.
“One young client sat with two dogs on her lap for multiple visits without speaking,” explained Kimberlee.
“Then one day, sitting in the dirt, she just started talking. The animals gave her the safety to find her voice.”
Ten-year-old Hannah, a regular visitor, lights up when she talks about the horses.
“I’d been on a horse before, but it was too high and scary. Now I can ride by myself,” she says proudly.
She has also helped build teepees in the bush, paddled kayaks on the river, and worked on puzzles by the fire.
“It’s fun here,” as she puts it.
What more is there to say?
Her confidence and sense of calm says more than words can.
Beyond her work with children, Amanda works closely with families, sometimes coaching them by phone late into the night when a behavioural problem arises.
This isn’t just a job for Amanda and Kimberlee, this is who they are.
Advocates, mentors, teachers, a helping-hand, a friend.
“Families need you most after 5.00pm, when the school day is over and the struggles begin. I’ll be on the phone at 10.00pm at night, coaching parents through what to say. That’s when it matters,” said Amanda.
Kimberlee said she sees these shifts firsthand.
“I’ve watched parents who were once overwhelmed become empowered. They’ll say, ‘I did it, I knew what to do.’
“That’s life-changing, not just for the child but for the whole family dynamic.”
The business has grown steadily, bringing on two employees who help with sessions and animal care.
There are dreams for the future too.
“Pawsable camps” are on the agenda, where kids can immerse themselves for days; and collaborations with First Nations’ educators to weave culture and language into activities.
“How do they give you respect if you don’t give it to them? These are little people with opinions. What are we squashing if we don’t listen?” says Amanda.
At the heart of Everything is Pawsable, Amanda and Kimberlee keep a simple philosophy.
Connection, respect, and the belief that children deserve to be seen and heard.
“I don’t see it as a business… For me, it’s about being with kids, with families, with animals. It’s about letting children be children again.”
Out here, in the scrub, on the farm, there’s no screens, schedules, and restrictions, this little farm on the dry fringes of Truro is offering something different.
Dust and scrub, fur and feathers, patience and play.
