Milly’s incredible Barefoot adventures!

Milly took the plunge and moved from her hometown of Brisbane to 100km out of Mt Isa. Cherelle recently sat down with Barefooter Milly, to see what has changed & how life is in the country!

What is it like living there?
Every morning I walk outside and think of a line from a Dixie Chicks song that goes “I wanna look at the horizon and not see a building standing tall, I wanna be the only one, for miles and miles”. After years of living in the city with your neighbours right on top of you its surreal being so remote that there are literally no buildings on the horizon and no-one for miles!

We live roughly 100km from Mt Isa, which makes life much easier than many people on remote properties. We head into town each Saturday for fresh groceries and collect regular mail, and weekend sport. I am very lucky that I am able to enjoy these simply luxuries, whilst still reaping the rewards of remote living.

Why is the best decision I ever made?
For about 10 years now I’ve had a “weird” (as I was always told!) fascination with the country lifestyle. After finishing year 12 I considered taking a gap year to be a jillaroo, but decided to throw myself into university life instead. Five years and two (failed) attempts at a uni degree later, I finally bit the bullet and moved out bush!

Knee injuries prevented me from being a Jillaroo, so instead I took a position working as a governess teaching two beautiful girls and I’m so glad I did! As a governess I am able to get the best of both worlds. On days where there is mustering or yard work to be done we take the day off school and I get to become the student! The photo on the right was taken just before we all started working in the cattle yards (the first time ever for me!).

‘Follow Your Arrow’ is a song by country singer Kasey Musgraves. It is basically about following what your heart tells you. The reason that moving to the bush is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made is because I finally started following my arrow! (Cheesy, but true!) Following my arrow out to this far-flung corner of the country has made amazing differences to my health, my happiness, and my overall wellbeing.

We know you love dressing up for the races and that you even make your own fascinators! What’s some of the best fashion advice you follow when it comes to a day at the races?

Wear whatever makes you feel like you! Every outfit I make and wear for the races is quintessentially me. Ultimately, if you wear something that makes you feel amazing inside and out, it is going to make you stand out much more to the judges than something that is “on trend” and almost the same as the person standing next to you.

One of my favourite photos is of the top ten finalists from last year at the Cairns Amateurs. I am front and centre, in a neon (was not “current-in-style” colours), knee length (technically too short according to FOTF rules) dress I bought years ago (not “current-in-season” style) that I refashioned with bright DKNY lace, and a homemade fascinator. The outfit is bright, bubbly, and above all – very different! Quintessentially me! Which goes to show that you don’t need to fill the FOTF criterion to wow the judges if what you’re wearing makes you feel amazing.

Stay tuned for next weeks blog post, where we discuss Cheerleading with Milly and what the training regime looks like. To read our previous Barefooter stories, click here!