General News
21 April, 2026
From farm life to national literary success
Born in Hopetoun and growing up on a farm on the outskirts of Beulah, Jodi Toering always loved making up stories.
When she wasn't creating tales, she loved drawing and writing.
But fast forward to today, and Ms Toering has just had another book acknowledged by the Children's Book Council of Australia, her third, in the 2026 Notable Book section.
Being born and raised in the region has shaped who Ms Toering is today, and she credits it with her decision to become a writer.
As Ms Toering shares, she grew up on a property at Galiquil, farming wheat.
"Our boundary for the property was the Netting Fence, so our mailbox was in the Mallee, but our farmhouse was in the Wimmera," she reflected.
"I went to school at Beulah for three years before finishing my primary and high school years at Warracknabeal.
"Growing up on a farm was magical. I really believe this is why I have forged such a deep connection to the land - it lives in me and is a part of me."
Some of Ms Toering's fondest memories growing up include her home nestled among gum trees and being always surrounded by animals and birds.
Along with assisting her Dad in growing vegetables, Ms Toering enjoyed being outside, and would spend hours on her bike or walking.
"Apart from spending time in nature, I was a prolific reader," Ms Toering said.
"Some of my earliest memories are of choosing books from my older siblings' Book Club orders, sitting on Mum's knee as she read the classics to me, then reading on my own well before I went to school.
"I was fortunate enough that my parents knew the importance of sharing quality literature and reading to their children from an early age."
Ms Toering left the region at 18 to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher, but she said she never stayed away for long, returning whenever she could.
She said her career as a teacher was fulfilling, and she forgot about her dream of becoming an author for a while.
"But dreams have a way of finding you again, somehow," Ms Toering said.
"When I had children of my own, reading to them became a beautiful, bonding experience.
"The spark rekindled, and I began to write again.
"I wrote Mallee Sky in 2012 when my daughter was eight, and my son was three.
"I guess it was an ode to my own childhood, and I wanted to share it with my children and tell the story of the people and the land, not only to them but to everyone!"
But Ms Toering said this was the beginning of a long road to publication.
"Mallee Sky was rejected a few times, and I could have easily thrown the manuscript in the back of the cupboard and given up, but I didn't," she revealed.
"I entered Mallee Sky into a few writing competitions and got some positive feedback, which helped me to stay determined.
"I finally picked up a book deal in early 2016, just a few weeks after Mum passed away.
"Mallee Sky hit the shelves in 2019, seven long years after the first draft.
"I know my Mum would have been so proud, as she was instrumental in me becoming the author I am today."
But Ms Toering never thought she would become an author of such success.
In fact, there was a time when she thought Mallee Sky was going to be her only publication, and she would be a "one book wonder".
"When Mallee Sky was shortlisted for the South Australian Premier's award for Literature, I was completely blown away, and then a few months later it became a Notable in the Children's Book Council of Australia's Picture Book of the Year awards," Ms Toering said.
"It has also been featured on Playschool!
"Then Night Watch received not one but two Notables, and I was blown away again.
"To have Rain on the Rock shortlisted as a Notable last month was unbelievably humbling."
Ms Toering said that, as a teacher with no degree or formal training in writing, she has suffered from imposter syndrome for a long time, but the latest award has finally given her the confidence to believe in herself.
All of Ms Toering's creations have shared a common theme - animals, nature and the country, land or sky.
"Growing up on a farm, that deep connection I developed with nature has always been a huge inspiration and a huge influence on the subject matter of my own storytelling," she said.
"I like to say I am a landscape artist, but I paint my pictures with words."
But what is the secret to a book that captivates a child?
Ms Toering let Wimmera Mallee News readers in on a secret.
"I teach this very secret to students when I facilitate writer's craft workshops," she admitted.
"I think the biggest secret is that a writer must affect their reader in some way.
"For me, that affect might come about through the beauty of my words and language, or the connection the reader is able to make to the story.
"It's also so important to engage the reader, and I do this through the use of various literary devices such as metaphor and personification.
"I think the imagery in my work allows the reader to sink into the text and truly experience what is going on, rather than just merely understanding the meaning of the words."
For fans of Ms Toering's work, the author also shared some good news.
"I signed a new book deal the other day, and this means I have two more picture books coming out next year, so I am very much looking forward to seeing these books brought to life," she said.