Meet Kramer, UNE farm worker and all-round good boy.
For the past three years (ever since his puppy days), Kramer has been on the tools at UNE Farms, teaming up with fellow working dogs—Orion, Jerry, Cash, and Percy (a collie)—to help muster stock across the farms. After a big day’s work, Kramer enjoys stretching out on the tray of the side-by-side and catching some sun.
Kramer and the team are owned by Leigh Marsden, a UNE Kirby Farm staff member, and they work with both sheep and cattle, depending on the day’s needs.
Photo credit: Simon Scott Photography. Simon’s photo of Kramer the Kelpie won the prized front cover spot in the 2025 Elders Calendar Competition.
“I had been photographing Kramer’s owner weighing lambs for a larger photo project at the University of New England’s Smart Farm and spied Kramer closely watching the flock as they were waiting to run the chase to the weigh station.” Simon Scott.
Working farm dogs are so clever. Thank you for sharing this story. It is nice to be reminded of the contribution that animals make, in not just our personal lives, but in our work lives as well.