More Than a Job: A Year Living, Learning, and Working on Quoin Farm
Some years pass quietly. Others leave a mark. The past year with Tom Doonan on Flinders Island was one of those years — the kind that shapes people, deepens understanding, and reminds us why opening our farm, our business, and our home to others matters.
Tom joined us during his year out from Marcus Oldham College, stepping into life across our two Angus cattle properties, Quoin and Tilba, and into the rhythm of island living. From the outset, he brought curiosity, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn — not just how things are done, but why.
Over the year, Tom became an integral part of daily farm life. He worked across livestock, land care, and seasonal tasks, gaining firsthand experience of what it means to run a working cattle operation in a remote, weather-driven environment. Decisions weren’t theoretical — they had real consequences for stock, land, and people.
Alongside the practical work, Tom undertook two major case studies based on our farm operations as part of his Marcus Oldham studies. Both were awarded High Distinctions, a reflection not only of his academic ability, but of his capacity to observe, analyse, and think critically about real-world farming systems.
But this year was never just about outputs or grades.
What mattered most was the way Tom became part of the fabric of our lives — on the farm, in the business, and at home. Flinders Island has a way of stripping life back to essentials: weather, work, community, family. Those who lean into that tend to grow.
In Tom’s words:
“Spending the past year on Flinders Island with Jo, Tom, and the wider Quoin and On Island Time world has been one of the most formative chapters of my life.
During this time, I was undertaking my year out from Marcus Oldham College, and the opportunity to live and work on the farm gave real depth to my studies. I completed two major case studies based on the Quoin and Tilba operations, both of which received High Distinctions. Being able to apply theory to a working farm — and to analyse real decisions, challenges, and trade-offs — made the learning far more meaningful.
Working across Quoin and Tilba taught me the importance of good stockmanship, consistency, and thinking long-term. Every decision mattered — for the land, the cattle, and the people involved. Being trusted with responsibility and included in genuine conversations about the business sharpened my confidence and judgement in ways that only lived experience can.
Beyond the farm, what really stood out was being welcomed into a family. I genuinely enjoyed time with the kids — Alice, Billy, and Georgie — and always felt included in family life. That sense of belonging made the year even more special and helped the island feel like home.
Jo and Tom lead with integrity, warmth, and high standards, and that combination creates an environment where you want to do your best. Flinders Island itself leaves its mark — the landscape, the weather, the rhythm of island life. It strips things back and reminds you what matters.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have spent this year here. The lessons, friendships, and experiences I’ve gained will stay with me for a long time, and I carry them forward into whatever comes next.”
For us, hosting Tom this year reaffirmed the value of investing time, trust, and responsibility in people who are serious about agriculture, learning, and community. A farm can be many things — a workplace, a classroom, and a home — and when those elements come together, something lasting is built.
We’re proud of what Tom achieved during his time at Quoin and grateful for the contribution he made to our family and our farm. As he steps into his next chapter, he leaves Flinders Island with skills, perspective, and relationships that we hope will stay with him for life.
We’re always open to hearing from people who are looking for more than just a job — people who value learning, responsibility, and being part of a working farm and family.