Former ABC Radio journalist Brad Markham worked in rural New South Wales and then became the state political reporter in Tasmania before throwing down the microphone and pulling on the gumboots.
Mr Markham grew up on a dairy farm, but chose a life in media and was having considerable success in that field.
But these days he is back in his home country of New Zealand, keeping up with the demands of 250 dairy cows.
He said journalists often say they work hard, but that is no news to the average farmer.
«As a rural reporter, I used to get up early but then I would be home again by two in the afternoon,» he said.
«Nowadays, I’m still going strong at 2pm.»
Mr Markham said there was a constant contrast in the two lifestyles, from the smallest to the most important things.
«In Hobart when I covered politics for the ABC and was a TV reporter, I wore a suit every day,» he said.
«Everyday involved hairspray, make-up, ties, all that kind of stuff, working under pressure, meeting deadlines, time management but you get a weekend off and six weeks’ holiday a year.
«Now I’ve just physically worked every day milking cows since June.
Source: ABC