When Michelle Phillips’ youngest child was about to start school, the dynamic mother-of-four began wondering how she was going to fill her spare time.
The stay-at-home mum from Muswellbrook, NSW, was already working as a part-time wedding cake decorator but was looking for something more substantial to occupy her days.
She never dreamed the “something substantial” would end up being a herd of wild camels, intercepted on the way to the abattoir and saved from certain death.
“Gabriella was heading off to school and I was a stay-at-home mum making wedding cakes of all things, so it’s quite a contrast,” says Michelle.
“I was talking with some girlfriends who had children with learning difficulties and we were discussing the benefits of camel milk and I said jokingly, ‘How cool would that be: a glass of wine in one hand and milking a camel with the other?’
“[I saw] more stories on TV and articles in the newspaper about camel milk, and I said to my husband, ‘I think someone’s trying to push me in the direction of having these guys’, so we started to do our research.”
RESCUE MISSION
Michelle made the career change from cakes to camels in 2014, and hasn’t looked back.
This story is from the June 15, 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 15, 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
JON'S JOURNEY - BEING MAORI & DEAF MADE ME A TARGET
The Auckland sign language tutor has overcome enormous challenges
'WE WENT ON THE RUN FROM RUSSIA!'
Now safe in New Zealand, Nick and his family hid in the outback for three years
DEFYING THE ODDS MADDIS ON'S MILESTONE BIRTHDAY
One of the tiniest babies born in New Zealand is about to turn 10!
Farmer And rew & Jess' big day WE'RE STILL ON CLOUD 9!
The reality stars say 'I do' in a perfect country ceremony
Gordon Ramsays 'THIS IS THE REAL ME'
The fiery celebrity chef has cooked up a sizzling new reality show
KIWI STAR LOREN - 'I OWE MY LIFE TO MY SISTER'
The actress reveals why she seemingly disappeared after her starring role in Eagle Vs Shark
Lee & Luke's - RECIPE FOR LOVE
The Cantabrian contestants reveal the secrets of their incredibly strong mother-son bond
JEN GARNER FINALLY TELLS - MY SIDE OF THE STORY!
The actress breaks her silence at last on her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck
JESS BREAKOUT ROLE - 'KIWIS DON'T REALLY CARE IF YOU'RE FAMOUS'
The Palmerston North actress is in demand after her part in Netflix hit 3 Body Problem