She starred in Muster Dogs, a show watched by millions in Australia and around the world. But Aticia Grey knows that when fans approach her on the street, it’s not her they’re most keen to meet — it’s four-year-old kelpie, Gossip, that’s the real attraction.
“It’s been amazing how well received the show has been — four years on, and people still get excited to come up to us,” says Grey, who starred alongside her pup in the first season of Muster Dogs, writing a companion book to accompany the series.
Both are front and centre in ABC’s spin-off series, Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now, which takes a peek at what the human and canine stars from season one and two are up to now.
“People come up to me if I’m with Gossip, and they are like, ‘Were you on Muster Dogs?’ And I go, ‘Yeah, but I know it’s Gossip you really want to meet — so here she is!’” Grey says.
In the four-part series, which premieres this Sunday on ABC, narrator Lisa Millar hits the road to visit the dogs and their families at their homes across rural Australia.
All the favourites get a look in: there’s Frank and Annie in Clermont, Queensland, the beloved winners of season one; the charismatic duo of Joni and Chet in WA, superstars Cilla and Ash Barky in Ban Ban Springs, Queensland (they’ve now taken their double act on the road and are entertaining kids at shows across the country) — and season two winners, Zoe and Buddy in the Northern Territory.
All have seen their lives change markedly since appearing on the show, but perhaps none more than Grey and Gossip.
Last year, Grey and her husband welcomed their first child, Savannah, now one, and they have another on the way in March.
They also moved off their remote cattle station, Glen Florrie in the Pilbara, a huge property set on about 200,000ha, which encompassed an 88km driveway. They are now based on a smaller farm outside of Narrogin in the Wheatbelt, to be closer to family.
It’s been a big transition, with Grey forced to downsize her working dog squad, which at its peak was around 12, to just seven — there simply wasn’t enough work.
“I am down to three dogs now,” Grey explains, pointing out that her dogs love to work, and that she knew some would get bored and frustrated with their new circumstances.
“I very carefully placed the others in my team in homes where I know they would get work, but also be getting the care,” she says.
But there was no way she was parting with Gossip, who has taken to her new semi-retired life with aplomb. She still goes to the odd country show with Grey, but by and large she is now just the beloved family pet — and best mates with her little friend, Savannah.
“She’s amazing with her,” says Grey.
“I was just watching them this morning. Gossip was playing, and Savannah was running around after (the dogs) — it was so sweet.”
Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now screens Sunday 7.30pm, on ABC
