Georgina Richter has always been a country girl at heart, born in Gladstone and raised in Clare, South Australia. Georgina’s parents worked the land, developing their wide-open paddocks and enjoying the benefits of healthy, fresh country air.
“I’ve always been happiest in the country,” Georgina says. “It’s just who I am.” Her love for animals was always strong, but when she first laid eyes on alpacas, something clicked. Their soft fleece and gentle eyes spoke to her. “I just knew then and there,” she recalls, “that one day I had to have alpacas of my own.” With her late husband Charlie’s encouragement, all of Georgina’s dreams come true.
Georgina Richter of Murray Bridge with her special companion, Monty, her loyal Jack Russell.
Together, they created a small property north of Adelaide at Macdonald Park called Jumbuck Plains, where they kept seven alpacas and poured their hearts into the land. “Charlie always said to me, ‘Follow your dreams,' And we did. We really did.”
Over time, their alpaca family grew. At one stage, Georgina and Charlie managed a larger farm at White Hill with thirty alpacas and two stud males. They regularly travelled to Victoria for shows, proudly representing their stud.
(L) Georgina Richter of Murray Bridge proudly displaying her Alpacas Show Ribbons and her late husband's Jumbuck Plains bar mate. (R) Bendigo Judging Ring antics, in the background, Susan Haese of Yaringa Alpacas of Bauld Hill, and Alpaca, Indiana Jones, with his handler, Georgina Richter of Murray Bridge
Those years were filled with joy, but life brought its share of challenges—bushfires, COVID, and health issues. Unfortunately, not long after this bout of struggles, Charlie passed away.
With practicality in mind, Georgina decided to sell the farm and move to Murray Bridge. “I miss him every single day,” Georgina says softly. “But I can still hear him telling me to keep going, to keep dreaming – and that’s what keeps me moving forward.”
Today, Georgina still cares for five alpacas, now homed with her friend Susan Haese at Yaringa Alpacas in Bauld Hill.
Georgina explains that each has a distinct personality that makes them special to her. Indy (also known as Indiana Jones) is an 18-month-old sire who recently won first place at the National Show in Bendigo. For Georgina, this was a deeply moving moment. “Just before we walked into the arena, a song came on—the very song Charlie loved. I knew then he was with us. When Indy got first prize, I felt like Charlie was standing right beside me.”
Alpaca, Indiana Jones, with his handler, Georgina Richter of Murray Bridge, being judged at the 2025 Nationals held in Bendigo, Victoria.
Igor, who is six months old, is cheeky and full of energy, always curious about everything around him.
Fantasia is a gentle five-month-old who follows Georgina like a shadow, and Queen Isobella, “Well, she’s eight years old now, a real regal, calm and proud mother of Indy and Igor.”
Then there’s Fortune Queen, who is the wise 15-year-old matriarch and Fantasia’s mother.
Queen Isobella is expecting a cria soon, and Georgina’s eyes light up at the thought. “There’s nothing more precious than seeing new life,” she says. “It’s hope in its purest form.”
Though the alpacas remain at the centre of her heart, Georgina is never alone at home - by her side is Monty, her loyal Jack Russell.
“Monty is everything to me,” she says with a smile. “He’s not just a dog—he’s my family, my little mate. On the hardest days, he’s the one who makes me smile again.”
Monty’s presence has been a source of comfort, especially since Charlie’s passing - together with her alpacas, Monty gives Georgina strength and companionship.
Life has not been without its battles. Georgina lives with not only cancer but also conditions such as fibromyalgia and has severe hearing loss, but she faces each day with courage. Her hearing aids, linked to her phone by Bluetooth, keep her connected, and she has hope for cochlear implants in the future.
Along with Georgina’s amazing support coordinator, Genuine Support Services Australia (GSSA) has played a significant role in supporting and helping her navigate the NDIS and encouraging her to rebuild her confidence. “They’ve been wonderful,” she says. “They’ve helped me start setting goals again.”
With their encouragement, Georgina has rediscovered her creativity. She now makes digital art with her GSSA Support Worker Jess, often inspired by her alpacas, and dreams of creating a children’s book about them. She has also returned to crocheting at the Murray Bridge Community Centre, where she enjoys the company of others.
“I never used to do that sort of thing—I was always too busy on the farm,” she admits with a laugh. “But now I think, why not? It feels good to do something nice for myself.”
Georgina fills her days with darts at the Murray Bridge Club, bowling at Bridge Bowl, and enjoys attending GSSA’s Pamper & Wellbeing Nights - she also hopes to volunteer at Monarto Safari Park, combining her love of animals with community spirit.
Geogina remains focused on saving for a trip to England to visit friends. Her last overseas adventure was in 2013, when she and Charlie joined Celtic Thunder’s first cruise. “We loved that band,” she recalls. “To be on that ship, hearing the music, and sharing it with Charlie was unforgettable.”
Georgina’s story is one of resilience, love, and courage; her alpacas, her little mate Monty, and the encouragement of Charlie’s memory continue to guide her forward.
“Charlie gave me the courage to follow my dreams, and Monty and the alpacas give me the reason to keep going,” she says. “Life isn’t always easy, but there’s so much love still to be found.”