Latitude 40 Podcast - John Cooper
In Episode 5 of Latitude 40 – Stories from the Edge, Jacqui Cooper sits down with her father, John Cooper, to explore a life that spans more than eighty years of farming, stock work, community service and island living across Flinders Island and the Outer Islands.
John's journey began before he could walk, crossing Bass Strait as a newborn in the drawer of a cupboard aboard a boat bound for Flinders Island. From those early days at Woodlands near Emita, his life has been deeply connected to the land, livestock and the people who call the Furneaux Islands home.
Listeners are taken back to a time of dairy sheds, cream trucks, horse teams and school bus rides from Emita to Whitemark. John recalls an era when neighbours shared what they had, whether it was a shoulder of lamb, a loaf of bread, a helping hand or simply the knowledge needed to get through another season.
The conversation also ventures far beyond Flinders Island itself. John shares remarkable stories of stock work on the Outer Islands, including swimming cattle ashore, living under canvas tents, relying on signal fires for emergency communication and navigating the challenges of remote island operations long before mobile phones and modern technology.
As one of Flinders Island's respected farmers and shearers, John reflects on the rise and fall of the wool industry, the culture of the shearing shed and the hard decisions required during drought and economic downturns. He speaks candidly about building Wandella alongside his wife Jen, developing a thriving farming enterprise through determination, long hours and a willingness to learn from experience.
There are lighter moments too. Tales of clever working dogs, sheepdog trials, community sports days and island shows sit alongside reflections on decades of volunteer service with the Lacrana Fire Brigade, including the challenges faced during the devastating 2003 bushfires.
What emerges throughout the conversation is not just a history of farming on Flinders Island, but a portrait of a community built on trust, resilience and mutual support. John's story reminds us that many of the things that make island life special are built on relationships, shared effort and a willingness to help one another when it matters most.
It is a conversation full of humour, wisdom and perspective — a reminder that some of the most important stories are found in the lives of ordinary people who quietly get on with the job.
"The thing about Flinders Island is it's a community place.
Anyone in trouble only got to ask and you can help them." - John Cooper