A South Australian homecoming

In the latest installment of our seasonal campaign ‘For Life’s Journeys’, we were fortunate enough to make a pilgrimage back to the home of R.M.Williams: the Flinders Ranges and outback of South Australia.

It was whilst camping here in 1932 that Reginald Murray ‘RM’ Williams first took up leather craft, with an ambition to make products that would stand the test of time. The rest, as they say, is history.

Shot at the picturesque Rawnsley Park, the campaign showcases the rugged beauty of rural Australia, the landscape largely untouched and beckoning to be explored. It’s a holiday destination like no other, but it’s also a home to many families whose lives are built on the land. We caught up with Andrew, the General Manager of Rawnsley Park, who has looked after this breathtaking pocket of Australia since February 2020, to discuss life in the Flinders Ranges.

Hi Andrew! Can you please tell us what your job entails?

My wife Viv and I look after many areas of the property, from tourist accommodation to 4WD drive tours and walking tours, helicopter camping to the Woolshed restaurant, as well as being thrown onto the farm on the occasional basis, to help out when we’re needed.

What does an average day at work look like for you?

An early start to the day means we can accomplish a few tasks before the staff arrive on site – from there our day moves in all directions. General everyday tasks include checking the basics such as water tanks for accommodation as we run off bore water. This time of year we are busy with swimming pools, which takes over from the winter task of cutting firewood! Larger jobs around the property include maintaining the accommodation and the grounds, including tree planting, irrigation, and general property upkeep. Throw in a couple of tour-driving stints or picking up people off the walking trails or from the airport and my day is certainly varied. The odd evening is spent dining with tour groups or travel agents who have come to visit Rawnsley and the Flinders Ranges to see what this spectacular part of South Australia is all about.

How has life in the Flinders Ranges changed over the years? What does it look like in 2022?

After many years of difficult weather (including a 3-year drought that broke just as we arrived in 2020) it’s certainly a very different landscape now. We’re currently enjoying green surrounds and lots of feed but this is not always the case, as only a few weeks ago we were talking about preparing for another dry year, with concerns over supplementary feed, how much stock to hold over and water control. As farmers from New Zealand, we are used to the seasonal changes but these happen on a much broader scale here. 2022 has seen an upturn in the tourist numbers visiting the Flinders and Rawnsley Park and taking part in a lot of the activities we offer here, which means our days are extremely busy.

R.M.Williams was born in the Flinders Ranges; can you tell us a little more about the brand’s connection to this region?

R.M.Williams is an iconic brand for the Flinders. It is rugged and has a style that fits well with the landscape. There are so many different vistas in the Flinders, from rugged hill country and rocky outcrops to dry barren paddocks, but through perseverance the people of the Flinders Ranges make a go and achieve great results. R.M.Williams, as a brand, has had to do much the same in its life and has had to change and adapt in the same way the people of the Flinders have to each season.

Why is R.M.Williams your go-to brand for clothing and boots to wear on the job?

It really delivers on style and comfort, and even when the boots start to look a little worn, they still complete the task on a daily basis. The clothing is comfortable and stylish and makes even the best country person have a trendy edge to their day! There is nothing better than shopping for a new pair of RMs - they are a staple part of most people’s wardrobes around here.

What was it like working with R.M.Williams on this campaign, and bringing the brand back to the Flinders Ranges?

It was very entertaining being part of the campaign, showcasing the areas of Rawnsley Park that not everyone gets to visit and making sure the team didn’t get into the wrong place with their rental 4WD! It’s always great to see our backyard through other people eyes and see what we sometimes take for granted. It was also great to see an indigenous involvement in the new campaign, which is an incredibly important part of the history of the Flinders Ranges.

Explore the campaign to see more of Rawnsley Park and the Flinders Ranges, and browse new arrivals to find your new, adventure-ready look.