Emma Tucker has been in the police force for 20 years.

During that time, she has seen and heard a lot.

Surprisingly it was her time in relatively 'quiet' Tottenham that provided the fodder for her first foray into fiction.

Day in day out she listened to farmers chat across the two-way radios, particularly at harvest time when she took to writing down some of the yarns, with an idea forming in her mind.

To a non-farmer the conversations gave her more than a few chuckles and with that in mind she has put together a light-hearted children’s storybook entitled ‘Farming is Dirty’.

“The book idea started with me hearing phrases used in farming that my immature brain would giggle at,” said Emma.

“When people didn’t know why I was laughing I started to write them down to prove that the things said were a bit funny.

“After I had a fair few sentences, I started thinking I could write a funny kids book as a way to raise money for a non-profit organisation, but I wasn’t really sure where to go from there.”

“The illustrator is a friend of mine, and once I discovered he was an amazing artist, I pestered him until he gave in.

"He really doesn’t want his name mentioned, which I am struggling with - I mention him in the ‘about’ part of the book, and I thank him in my messages from me."

Emma Tucker with daughters May and Beth - Image supplied

Once she sorted how to move forward, Emma decided on Wings4Kidz to donate book profits to.

The charity aims to help families and children from across rural and regional NSW attend medical appointments by offering a free flight service to lessen the burden of travelling long distances for bush families.

“I have flown with Wings4kidz and seen the impact they make on families, particularly my best friend and her family," Emma said.

“Saving time, money and stress but also keeping families together that might have had to be apart due to health concerns.

“Often, I deal with people on their absolute worst day, and sometimes I carry guilt that I couldn’t do more.

"I truly was embraced by everyone in the rural and remote communities I worked in, and so by helping rural parents keep their kids safe and healthy I feel like I’m giving that little bit back."

Beth, Emma and May Tucker - image supplied

“I was in Tottenham for just over 3 years. I had wanted it to be my forever home, but work-related stuff got to me and the best thing for us was to move.

"I miss Totty so much, and quite a few of the mums out there were contributors to the book, as I often had to ask them to explain whatever I had just overheard.”

In April 2025, Emma plans to undertake an 800km postie bike ride called the 'Never Late Fe-Mail', and along the way she hopes to raise some money for Wings4Kidz.

“We are so proud of Emma,” a local Tottenham resident told the Western Plains App.

“She is such a generous soul, with her cheeky kind nature. Doing something like this for a charity is an amazing, selfless thing to do and very inspiring, we couldn’t be prouder of her.”

“We will all watch her journey with pride and wish her the very best.”

Farming is Dirty is available to order for only $20.

Visit the Farming is Dirty - Story book Facebook page.