A ginger cat named Mango has become an unlikely social media star in Queensland's mulga country. Known as the muster cat, Mango often rides on his owner Beck Smith's lap as she navigates their property on a motorbike. Raised alongside working dogs, Mango has garnered a loyal following on Facebook and even receives fan mail. "When I go to the mailbox, there's packages for Mango. There's ladies who even bake him his own treats. He gets tins of salmon, cat clothes, little shoes," Smith said. "Everyone loves Mango."

Mango's fame began almost by accident. Earlier this year, Smith shared videos with friends showing her and Mango surveying flood damage on their property. "All they got out of it was, 'Hang on, is that a cat on the bike with you?'" she recalled. Mango accompanies Smith on the bike and helps with mustering cattle, often tied to the back of the car with the dogs. "Having him there takes away the harshness of talking about the devastation … a lovely little fluffy cat with personality, it draws people in," Smith said.

Smith manages a 52,600-hectare station near Stonehenge, a small town about 90 minutes from Longreach. Earlier this year, destructive flooding submerged about 70 percent of her property. The aftermath has been challenging, with difficulties in mustering and selling cattle, leading to mounting bills. "I try not to think about that dollar figure too much, because if you do, it does become very overwhelming," she said. Rebuilding fences has cost her at least $100,000, which she must pay upfront before receiving government grants. "That's the issue … most people don't have that money sitting there ready to go," she added.

Smith uses social media to share videos of Mango, which helps her discuss life on the land after the disaster. She noted that mental health remains a sensitive topic in rural areas. "I used to be very embarrassed by my mental health journey and then I just got to the point where it's part of my healing process to speak about it, and if one person can relate and will put their hand up for help, then I've paid it forward," she said.

In the agricultural industry, Smith feels that women often face additional challenges. "There's a lot more women working in the agriculture industry now … but it's still very much a man's playground," she said. "Whatever a man does, you have to do it twice as hard and tough than what they do. I'm expected to bake the cake and be a bush mechanic too."

Despite these challenges, Smith has grown more resilient over time. With Mango by her side, she continues to rebuild her life and property. "It's just one of those things you've got to keep putting one foot in front of the other," she said, reflecting on her journey in the outback.