Tinker's Farm

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Tinker's Farm

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Tinkers Farm is in Tasmania's Northwest and offers a variety of nature based mental health services.

29/10/2026

We have a new arrival at Tinkers Farm!

After weeks of eagerly watching and waiting, Amira finally welcomed her beautiful little bay c**t into the world early this morning!

As a first-time mum, Amira is figuring things out, and her little boy has been busy learning how to navigate the world on those long, wobbly legs.

Both mum and baby are doing well, and we're absolutely delighted to welcome this gorgeous little fellow to the Tinkers Farm family.

He doesn't have a name just yet, but we're working on it!

For now, we'll be enjoying all the newborn foal cuddles and watching his little personality emerge.

21/09/2026

Today I had the pleasure of running our Feedback Field program for a group of eight first-year medical students from the University of Tamania.

Using the horses and the farm environment, we explored doctor–patient interactions, communication and bedside manner by taking spoken language off the table and focusing instead on how we approach patients non-verbally — and what our non-verbal communication says about our intent.

We also touched on the idea that healthcare doesn’t always have to happen in a sterile clinical environment. Sometimes stepping outside the traditional medical setting can give us a very different way of thinking about how we connect with and care for people.

Wishing these future doctors all the best in their future studies and careers.

A beautiful day for some very different medical education!

28/08/2026

Connection doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.

This is Taz, one of our therapy cows, who has just turned one. Taz is a very social little fellow and loves attention from humans — if there are people in the paddock, there’s a good chance he’ll come over to investigate and ask for a scratch.

But not every animal at Tinkers Farm is like Taz.

Some seek out attention, some prefer to approach in their own time, and others are happiest with a little more space. None of those ways of relating are better or worse — they’re simply different.

People are much the same.

Some of us connect through talking, touch and lots of interaction. Others connect more comfortably through shared activities, quiet company, movement, or simply being alongside someone without needing to talk.

Part of good support is noticing those individual differences rather than expecting everyone to engage in the same way.

Taz, meanwhile, is very clear about his preference: more scratches, please. 🐄

25/08/2026

You don’t have to like everything you try.

Back in April, Matt and I took a trip to Japan. It was quite an adventure — hiking volcanoes, exploring new places and trying plenty of foods that were very different from what we’d normally eat at home.

One of those was abalone.

I gave it a go. I discovered I definitely don’t like abalone. 😄

But I was still glad I tried it.

Being willing to try something new doesn’t mean we have to enjoy it, stick with it, or convince ourselves it was wonderful. Sometimes the outcome is simply, “Nope, that’s not for me.” And that’s useful information too.

Trying new things can help us build flexibility and confidence in dealing with the unfamiliar. And every now and then, we discover something we never expected to enjoy.

The goal doesn’t have to be to like everything.

Sometimes it’s just being willing to give it a shot. 🌿

21/08/2026

Sometimes regulation comes before reflection.

When we’re overwhelmed, anxious or overloaded, sitting down and trying to immediately explain what’s happening isn’t always easy. Sometimes we need to settle first — enough that thinking, talking and problem-solving become possible.

At Tinkers Farm, that might look like walking around the paddock, brushing a horse, noticing the sounds and smells around us, or simply standing quietly beside an animal for a while.

There doesn’t always need to be pressure to talk straight away.

Sometimes the first useful thing is movement, fresh air, sensory input, connection — and perhaps the company of a horse who is far more interested in finishing her hay than asking any questions. 🐴🌿

18/08/2026

The Tinkers Farm family is growing! 🌿🐴👶

We’re very excited to share that there are not one, but two new arrivals expected at Tinkers Farm over the coming months.

Our beautiful Amira is expecting her foal in October, and Sefronia is also expecting a baby in December.

With all of that happening, Sefronia will be finishing up with farm-based clients from 6 November 2026 and taking some time away on maternity leave.

At this stage, the plan is to return to farm-based sessions in April 2027. A confirmed return date and information about bookings will be shared closer to the time.

Thank you for all of the support you’ve shown Tinkers Farm over the past few years. We’re looking forward to a very special few months ahead — hopefully involving one healthy foal, one healthy baby, and a slightly sleep-deprived 2027. 💛

18/08/2026

The chickens have moved into their new home 🐔🌿

Matt built them this beautiful new coop, and they’ve been thoroughly enjoying having more space to wander, scratch, forage and generally do all the things chickens are supposed to do.

It’s also a nice little reminder that our needs aren’t static.

Sometimes what worked for us once doesn’t work quite as well anymore. We might need more space, more structure, more support, more independence — or simply a different environment altogether.

Good care isn’t always about finding one perfect solution and sticking with it. Often, it’s about noticing what’s needed now and being willing to adapt as circumstances change.

That applies to people just as much as it does to animals.

With bird flu currently being monitored in our local area, we’re also keeping up with the latest biosecurity advice and are ready to adapt the chickens’ setup again if recommendations change. For now, they’re making the most of their new digs. 🐓

24/06/2026

**Important update about NDIS-funded sessions at Tinkers Farm**

The NDIS has released its updated pricing arrangements from 1st July 2026. One of the changes is a substantial reduction to the “Other Professional” rate, which is the category Tinkers Farm currently falls under for many NDIS-funded 1:1 sessions.

I am deeply disappointed by this change. Tinkers Farm is not a standard room-based service. Farm-based and animal-assisted supports involve significant additional costs, including animal care, property maintenance, insurance, safety preparation, setup, pack-down, documentation, and administration.

I have emailed all current individual clients to discuss what this means for their sessions.

I have also written to the NDIS, Anne Urquhart MP, and Minister Jo Palmer to raise my concerns about the impact of these changes on small, specialised providers, particularly those offering animal-assisted, farm-based, nature-based, and non-traditional therapeutic supports.

I am also concerned about the lack of recognition for Mental Health Nurses and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners within the NDIS pricing framework. These clinicians provide specialist mental health support, yet are not recognised as distinct professional categories for NDIS therapy supports.

This is not a decision I have taken lightly. I genuinely value the clients and families I work with, and I am very sad that these changes may affect people’s ability to continue accessing 1:1 sessions in the same way.

Moving forward, I hope to offer some group-based sessions at Tinkers Farm. This may allow more people to experience the benefits of animal-assisted and farm-based supports at a reduced individual cost.

More information about group options will be shared once I have worked through what is practical, safe, and sustainable.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Tinkers Farm.

*** If this change affects you or your family, I encourage you to provide feedback directly to the NDIS and/or contact your local representative. You may wish to explain how this type of service supports you or your child, and how reduced NDIS pricing may limit access to specialised rural services.

NDIS feedback and complaints
Online: NDIS feedback and complaints form
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 800 110

You may also wish to contact:

Anne Urquhart MP
Federal Member for Braddon
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 6431 1333

Jo Palmer MLC
Tasmanian Minister for Disability Services
Email: [email protected]

06/03/2026

Now accepting DVA clients

I’m pleased to share that I am now registered to provide services to Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients.

I provide mental health consultations as a Nurse Practitioner in a quiet farm setting in Moorleah. Sessions can take place indoors or outdoors depending on preference, with optional interaction with horses as part of a nature-based therapeutic environment.

If you are a veteran and are looking for support, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss whether this service may be suitable.

Please feel free to send a message or contact the clinic for more information.

22/02/2026

Last week I had the privilege of hosting Mel Shanahan, a blind horsewoman, at the farm — and I’m still reflecting on how much I learned from the experience.

She’s an incredibly skilled and thoughtful horse person who is exploring how to create an equine therapy space for other blind and low-vision people back in Victoria. Watching her work with the horses was a powerful reminder that good horsemanship is about feel, timing, and relationship — not just sight.

She shared practical techniques like using a metronome for navigation, and subtle handling approaches that emphasise clear communication and trust. It was fascinating to see these in action, and it challenged some of my own assumptions about what’s possible.

Moments like this are why I love this work — the exchange of knowledge goes both ways.

Wishing her every success as she brings this idea to life. The horses — and the people who will benefit — are lucky to have her.

Address

Wynyard, TAS
7325

Telephone

+61488211092

Website

http://www.Tinkersfarm.com.au/

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