Hilarious, just hilarious.  But not just hilarious.  This week I had the chance to watch all 6 episodes of Ironbark Media’s web series hosted by American travel writer, Jesse Archer.

QUEEN & COUNTRY AUSTRALIA is about the rural women competing to be the Beef Week Queen in Casino in Northern NSW. Co-created by long-time friends Mark ‘Max’ Walker (Australian Story, Who Do You Think You Are, Grand Designs Australia) and Matthew Kelly (Screen Australia, Foxtel)  the 6 short films go on the journey with Jesse as he meets the 5 competitors.

Through the eyes of a self-confessed piscatarian, tree hugger, animal activist, ignorant city folk, tiara envious, gun hater and Yank, we will fall in love with this diverse mob of women.  For, if Jesse has his pre-conceptions confronted, so do we.  We might mostly cling to the edges of this continent (and Tasmania) but our rich pastoral history is important to us, what else explains 3 R.M Williams shops in Sydney city? 

We might not go so far as knowing our Limousins from our Brahman and our Angus but we know that our primary producers are doing it tough and events that raise awareness of rural issues are vital.  And Jesse is obviously loving being our guide to this uniquely Aussie festival.

There’s local knowledge right behind him though. “I grew up in Murwillumbah, not far from Casino and I’ve never felt any show has ever really captured the people of this region as they should be” says writer/director  Max Walker.  He and producer Mathew Kelly both hail from the Northern Rivers.

And what a wonderful choice they have made for our host.  Jesse is a man who seems hardwired to listen.  You can see him doing it and when a different kind of queen might go the flame, Jesse’s questions draw out the women and their families to focus the watcher’s attention on them and their motivations. He’s respectful, enthusiastic and ra ra for each contestant. Mind you, there’s a very gay ‘drenching’ joke you have to listen out for!

If Jesse sees the Casino-ians he meets as “kind warm and welcoming and just a whole lot of fun” they seem to respond to him the same way.  He’s lavish with the hugs and enough of a girly boy to gently explore the strength and power of the real woman working in agriculture before the girly girl of makeup and gowns for the judging.  He has the incumbent help him chose his shirt for the coronation!

Jesse, meanwhile, never judges despite his aforementioned self-described attributes. Each episode focusses on a different cow-loving queen and those around her. He first meets Tiarra who is wickedly sharp, then Jenna with whom he might have a wedding date in 20 years. Zoe is a temptress and Ashleigh a contentious triple threat.  Which only leaves Chelsea to smash the last of his presumptions.

QUEEN & COUNTRY AUSTRALIA is such a fun watch but it’s more than that.   It’s a slice of reality that proves once again what quirky stories can be found outside the city.  It’s also a timely reminder of the resilience and persistence of the people who put food on our table.  At the end of the 6th and final episode, Jesse is eyeing of a float for the Banana Festival.  I’m a Coffs girl, I would love to show him around.

QUEEN & COUNTRY

Then view the whole series at the YouTube Channel or for all things QUEEN AND COUNTRY  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.