A trailblazing young female farmer who gained a legion of fans for her TikTok videos, has tragically ended her own life just days after posting an upbeat clip to her tens of thousands of followers.
Caitlyn Loane, 19, was a fourth-generation farmer who garnered hordes of admirers by showcasing her action-packed life working in northern Tasmania’s agriculture industry.
There has been an outpouring of grief and emotion from her army of TikTok fans.
Her heartbroken family said: ‘Words can’t describe our loss.’
Caitlyn Loane, 19 (pictured), was a fourth-generation farmer who garnered legions of admirers by showcasing her life in northern Tasmania’s agriculture industry
The trailblazing young female farmer (pictured with a calf) tragically ended her own life just days after posting an upbeat clip to her tens of thousands of followers on TikTok
‘She was a lovely, crazy young woman who was an invaluable member of our family,’ her father Phillip Loane told the Mercury.
Ms Loane worked at her family’s 600-hectare property as a livestock manager in the Latrobe area and was known for her passion for cattle.
Her mother said she had become an inspiration to young female agriculture workers around the world and will be remembered for her ‘nurturing and caring nature’.
‘Her smile lit up the room,’ her mother Richele said.
‘She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty – in some photos she has mud up to her knees.’
In her haunting final Tiktok video to her 51,000 followers on June 27, she lip synced an American country song with the lyrics ‘how far would you drive for the girl of your dreams?’ and showed a series of stills of her working on the farm.
The caption of the video read: ‘What about to Tasmania?’
‘She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty – in some photos she has mud up to her knees (pictured),’ Ms Loane’s mother Richele said
In her haunting final Tiktok video to her 51,000 followers she lip synced an American country song with the lyrics ‘how far would you drive for the girl of your dreams?’ and showed a series of stills of her working on the farm
Ms Loane (pictured) worked at her family’s 600-hectare property as a livestock manager in the Latrobe area and was known for her passion for cattle
The comment section has now been flooded with messages of condolence paying tribute to the ‘beautiful cowgirl’.
‘Rest in peace gorgeous. You are an inspiration to many,’ one woman wrote.
Others said: ‘We are gonna miss you’ and ‘TikTok won’t be the same’.
Just one month ago she opened up to TasWeekend during Agfest Tasmania, where she was involved in cattle judging.
‘In 2018, I realised that school wasn’t giving me the skills and experience I needed, so I applied to the Sunday Creek Cattle Station, in the Northern Territory, so I could gain experience and learn more,’ Ms Loane said.
‘Up there the properties are huge and they muster with helicopters and on horseback.
‘It was character building and I had to adopt a great work ethic which I apply to my own enterprise here at home.’
Ms Loane’s mother said she had become an inspiration to young female farmers around the world and will be remembered for her ‘nurturing and caring nature’. Pictured: Ms Loane is seen sheering a sheep
The comment section of Ms Loane’s (pictured playing with her dog) final TikTok video has been flooded with messages of condolence paying tribute to the ‘beautiful cowgirl’
As well as her great love of farming and filmmaking, Ms Loane was also a keen AFL player and represented the Devonport Football Club.
The Club shared a heartfelt tribute on their Facebook page expressing their ‘deep sadness and regret’.
‘The Board, the members, players, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters of the Devonport Football Club convey our sincere condolences and warmest thoughts to Caitlyn’s family and friends, which, of course, includes her teammates in the DFC Senior Women’s team,’ the statement said.
‘The past week has put into context what really matters in life, and has reminded us all that football, as unifying as it is, is just a game after all.
‘The priority of the Devonport Football Club at present is to provide an empathetic, supportive network to all associated with the club, with particular focus on those most affected by the tragic passing of Caitlyn.’
If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health support, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, for free confidential support.