10Q's for Pat Pearse the Sheep farmer

...on a surprisingly rainy and hot day in July. Driving down this murky and bushy road, we ended up at what looked like an old farmhouse, and out came this welcoming, curly-haired Aussie with Italian roots. He greeted us, and this beautiful, cozy home appeared. Walking through the house onto the terrace was like passing through a portal, revealing an amazing valley where his many sheep grazed. They cooked up a fantastic lunch for us, and since then, we have been sliding into each other's DMs. So, apart from supplying some of the best sheep to the French market, they also host an annual wine fair at the farm called Vin Sauvage. The next 10 questions are for Pat!

Name: Patrick T Malecikar Pearse
City: Ossages
Occupation: Sheep Farmer / Screenwriter

What do you do for Recreation?
Surfing. It’s been 30 years in the water and I’m not what I used to be but it still has the same soothing effect, for the body and the head. Rummikub is also my latest addiction - it's the tired person’s chess.

If you were to do something other than what you do for a living today, what would that be?
I’ve always thought I would be a very good mafia member, perhaps Italian or Japanese. Considering I’m half Italian and zero Japanese I assume it would have to be the Cosa Nostra! On the other side of the fence, I thought perhaps Interpol could be interesting. Deep undercover etc, taking down child traffickers would provide me with a great deal of joy.

What was the last gift you got for yourself?
ROMEO - An extra sheep dog!

What was the last gift somebody gave you?
Underwear and socks. Big thanks to the mother in law.

What is your biggest vice, and how do you deal with it?
Cold beer. I spent 25 years in Australia and I guess it probably stems from there however the European part of me knows how to limit it to one and done. A longneck in the freezer after a hard day of work really does it for me. Kronenbourg, light in poison and refreshingly easy down the hatch.

How do you navigate through difficult situations?
Difficult situations I try and approach like a match of rugby, let’s get it on. Once upon a time “setbacks” used to stress me but in the world of screenwriting I learnt that it’s 99% no and 1% yes, but that’s all that was required. I got used to getting knocked down and never took it personally. On the farm, I’ve learned to love problem solving, every difficult situation is a challenge that I want to conquer. Even if that just means a plan at the end of the day it’s a step in the right direction. Sure, sometimes on the farm these situations or accidents are unavoidably catastrophic but I always use the same one phrase that I’ve told myself since I was twenty years old. “I’m not dead and I can drink a glass of water from the tap.”It may sound bizarre but it derives from a few confronting life experiences I had in West Africa while documenting the plight off women in traditional border villages of Mali and Burkina Faso in the southern Sahara. I’ve been extremely fortunate to travel the world and live more lives than most 80 year olds. I don’t take anything for granted because I’ve seen the very worst card that life on earth can deal a human being. I wasn’t born rich but I was brought up in a western nation and that opportunity and safety alone, is like winning lottery. I’ve met young women who were being sold to men three times their age in exchange for a donkey or a goat. As they were removed from their mother’s arms I saw the fear and despair in their eyes while their screams will forever remain in my head - so when a difficult situation arises in my life I prefer to take it on, it ain’t that bad.

Name one of your favourite people in the world and why this person is one of them?
Favourite person was my late Nona Valeria. I spent everyday with her in the first years of my life as my mum was working and Nona was epic company. She made it to 99. Two world wars, post war immigrant, jumped on a boat to the other side of world, escaped a war zone, watched a moon landing, spoke five languages, lived through the invention of televisions, phones, cars the whole damn ride must of been insane. She had the most peaceful and soothing touch of any human I have ever met. 

What do you do to stay/get in shape?
I’m on my feet all day everyday farming my 400 sheep, so naturally I’m pretty active. I enjoy lying on a sofa in front of the fire while accepting a long cuddle from girlfriend or dog. Or both at the same time.

What was your proudest moment and why?
Proudest moment was playing for Australia at the Under/19 rugby World Cup in 2005. Took a lot of hard work to get there. I didn’t play well but that tour in South Africa taught me a lot about how to deal with life when you’re clearly out of your depth! Laughing helps. 

What was your proudest moment and why?
Proudest moment was playing for Australia at the Under/19 rugby World Cup in 2005. Took a lot of hard work to get there. I didn’t play well but that tour in South Africa taught me a lot about how to deal with life when you’re clearly out of your depth! Laughing helps. 


Which city is cooking you the best meal and where?
Best city for a meal, New York or Paris. My favourite restaurant is a tie between two…. Chateubriand in Paris. And, Frankie’s, a modern Australian restaurant and natural wine bar in Jersey City, USA.