Sam suffered a spinal injury in a car accident when jackerooing in the Northern Territory at 19-years-of-age, leaving him a C6/C7 quadriplegic. Against the odds, he returned to the family farm and fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a farmer. In 1999 Sam married ABC Radio Rural Reporter, Jenny Black, after proposing to her 'live' on ABC Regional Radio. At the time Jenny had spent 17 years as a newspaper and radio journalist. She now helps Sam run their Croppa Creek farm, speaks with him and together they're about to start writing his next book. They appeared in February 2000 on ABC Television's 'Australian Story' and their book 'Head Over Heels' was published by ABC Books in 2006.Sam and Jenny’s day began with a visit to Yanco Agricultural High School to speak to the 300 students and teachers there. Sam emphasised the need to be responsible when driving a car and to always wear a seat belt. He suggested that the students write the letter “C” for consequences and “SAM” in the corner of the windscreen of their vehicles to remind them to always wear a seat belt and to not speed so they don’t end up in a wheelchair like Sam. The students were all very interested in Sam and Jenny’s story and asked a number of questions afterwards.
Sam and Jenny then spoke at St Michael’s Hall in Coolamon where St Michael’s School hosted students from Coolamon Central, Marrar Public, Ganmain Public and Matong Public. He presented copies of their book “Head Over Heels” to all the school libraries.
Sam and Jenny arrived at the Marrar Memorial Hall at 6pm to find a large number of people already seated. There were approximately 350 people who attended the night which was far more than expected. People came from all over the Riverina – Marrar, Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong, Grong Grong, Junee, Wagga Wagga, Culcairn, Gundagai, Barmedman to name just a few.Thank you to everyone who helped with organising the night – Marrar Public School P & C who served the supper, Marrar Football Club who operated the bar, Sarah Heinjus and Libby Hanlon Community Support Workers from the Riverina Division of General Practice who were there with lots of information for our farming families, the NSW Government Industry and Investment who sponsored the supper, Bill Thompson, and of course the wonderful Marrar Ag n Chat ladies especially Kim, Marilyn and Donna.
The night was totally sponsored by local businesses, and community and sporting groups. Thank you very much to these sponsors for their generous donations:
Coolamon Shire Council, Marrar Tennis Club, Hart Bros Seeds, MC Croker Pty Ltd, Marrar Football Club, Delta Agribusiness, Rodwells & Co, RAW Design and Fabrication, WH & D Glass,
Winchendonvale Landcare, Coolamon Rotary, Club GJ Hulm, Logan & Hitchens, Rannock Tennis Club, Active Print, Coolamon Lions Club and Armdale Park Poll Dorset Stud.
Winchendonvale Landcare, Coolamon Rotary, Club GJ Hulm, Logan & Hitchens, Rannock Tennis Club, Active Print, Coolamon Lions Club and Armdale Park Poll Dorset Stud.
Local boy Scott Reardon was asked to speak about his latest waterskiing achievements and becoming World Overall Disabled Water Ski Champion for 2009 when he competed in France. Scott is now focused on his scholarship with the AIS in Canberra and his athletics career which he hopes will take him to the London Paralympics in 2012. Scott did a fantastic job speaking to a huge crowd of people for the first time.
Sam was then lifted onto the Marrar Hall stage where he told us his inspirational story of triumph over tragedy. He had lots of funny stories to tell about his life before and after his accident, especially about his courtship and proposal to Jenny on live radio. Sam said he has no regrets about his life and he is very thankful for the life he has now. He has the opportunity to travel all over Australia meeting many wonderful people who want to hear his story. He also has the love of his life in Jenny to share this experience with.
Sam and Jenny were very generous with their time and spoke with the crowd afterwards and signed their book.
Everyone agreed that the night was a huge success and Marrar Ag n Chat should do it again next year!!
Sam and Jenny were very generous with their time and spoke with the crowd afterwards and signed their book.Everyone agreed that the night was a huge success and Marrar Ag n Chat should do it again next year!!
Thank you to everyone who helped on the night and supported this initiative of Marrar Ag n Chat.
"Wyreema " Kelpie Stud at Narrandera was our next stop to visit Gordie McMaster and his dogs. The stud was established in 1882 and is the oldest stud of its kind in the world. This is Seanie, Gordon's best dog and one of the top sires in Australia. We watched Seanie work and he showed us just how intelligent he is - it was amazing to watch! Gordie was a real Aussie character with lots of stories to tell. We ventured into his home office and we were all amazed at the history displayed on the walls. He even had a personally autographed photo of Nelson Mandela – one of Gordie’s heroes! 
Our next stop was Shear Outback at Hay to take a look at the history of shearing in Australia. I think these sheep are fake??!! 
Our overnight accommodation was at Claughton House in Hay which used to be the boarding house for isolated students in the area. It closed as a boarding house a few years ago and then Maxine bought it and turned it into budget accommodation. It was very comfortable and warm!
Onto Glenburnie Winery where our hosts, Rob and Robyn Parkes treated us to tastings of Cool Climate Wines and welcomed us as we wandered around their quaint three bedroom B & B boasting original décor.
During dinner our guest from the Western Division, Dianne enthralled us all with tales of her life owning two properties of 35,000 acres each (56kms apart via dry weather roads) in the Hillston area. Dianne, her husband Geoff and two sons, Mark and Andrew run the properties in partnership. "Ballatherie" and "Yendembah" are the home to over twelve thousand merino sheep incorporating "Ballatherie Poll Merino Stud". "Ballatherie" also boasts pivot irrigation, flood irrigation and grazing. Both places have five stand woolsheds. 
A quick morning tea was had at the Talbingo Supermarket and then on to Tumut where we met with the Aboriginal Discovery Ranger and a NPWS Park Ranger. The ADR spoke to us about the traditional people of Tumut and the significance of different works that the ranger covers in the area. The Tumut Visitors Centre is the home to an extensive interactive display of artefacts.
Our final stop for the trip was Nargoon Cellar at Gundagai Wines. We enjoyed a lovely lunch in the converted woolshed – "Sheep to Chardonnay" and the owner operator spoke to us about temperate climate wines. 
