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Artist and Kalkadoon woman Glenda McCulloch grew up in Mount Isa, surrounded by the vivid red dirt and vast blue skies of outback Queensland.
Her father, Doug Bruce, is a traditional owner and a respected community leader who spearheaded the campaign for native title in the region, which secured over 40,000 square kilometres of northwest Queensland for the Kalkadoon people.
This rich cultural heritage infuses every aspect of Glenda’s life, including the home she shares with her husband Matt, their three boys — Levi (9), Asher (7), and Elijah (2) — and a bustling menagerie of animals.
When Glenda and Matt discovered the seven-acre property in 2022, it was far from perfect. The front paddock resembled a junkyard, and the main house — a robust but humble besser block structure with a deep concrete verandah — was in need of some serious love and attention.
But, the generous block and adjacent creek immediately captured Glenda’s imagination.
‘The acreage and the freedom for our boys — we knew it would be a lot of work and require a lot patience, but we also knew it would be totally worth it,’ she explains.
They secured the property, and, with the help of friends and family, got to work clearing out the house and transforming it into a warm and welcoming sanctuary.
Inside, the home is now a blend of Australian country style, rustic charm, and touches of Glenda’s Kalkadoon heritage.
From its durable flooring to hand-painted artworks that reflect the land and culture, every corner tells a story.
‘I wanted it to feel like an Australian cottage farmhouse,’ she says.
‘But I also needed it to be a bit rustic because I have three boys, and they’re always filthy from being in the pig pen or down at the creek!’
The heart of the house is the kitchen. Designed in a classic country style with affordable flat-pack cabinetry in an eye-catching olive green, traditional white subway tiles, and vintage-style lighting, this room is a testament to Glenda’s distinct aesthetic, her ability to dream big, and bring her visions to life.
‘I love all things country, rustic and western. I blame my mum and dad for this’ Glenda says.
‘Dad loved old rustic pieces, and Mum always had a Country Style magazine laying around our house growing up, so I have incorporated all these things in some way or another.’
Above all, creating a home where her kids could experience a childhood like her own was paramount for Glenda, who remembers spending her days outdoors, playing with cousins, camping, fishing, and exploring the bush.
Now, her boys enjoy the same freedom. They ride horses, tend to the animals, and explore the traditional lands of their ancestors that surround the town, and stretch as far as the eye can see.
Mount Isa isn’t just a mining town, it’s also the proud home of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest rodeo.
Every August, the town comes alive as cowboys and cowgirls from across the globe descend for the iconic event. But, for the McCulloch family, rodeo life is a year-round passion.
‘My husband competes in steer wrestling and team roping, and our boys have taken up calf riding and mini bull riding,’ Glenda explains.
‘It’s a way of life for us, and the kids absolutely love it.’
From the excitement of the rodeo to the quiet moments in the bush — the best moments here are always outside.
‘Big beautiful gum trees, amazing landscapes… it’s just a beautiful part of the country to live in,’ Glenda says.
In Mount Isa, where the ancient and modern converge, the McCulloch family home is more than a house; it’s a sanctuary for connection, and an enduring reflection of family traditions, rich culture, and big dreams.
