MY JOURNEY TO SOUTH GIPPSLAND-The mystery of life never ceases to amaze me. From a young age I have always attempted to diligently fuel my desired, significant short- and long-term goals with calculated, bullet proof measures, striving to celebrate completion. However, over the years, life regularly threw curve balls my way from left field. Most felt right at the time and sent me down completely different roads – ones I’d never imagine in a million years!

This is exactly how I came to reside in ‘God’s farming country’, South Gippsland’s Middle Tarwin.

In 2005, it felt like one minute I lived in my hometown of Melbourne, meaningfully engrossed in familiar social work and attempting my best to make a difference in people’s lives. The next, I landed on a dilapidated beef farm, completely clueless of farm work and the handling of bullocks, not to mention snake wrestling!

 

‘What the hell had I gotten myself into?!’ I remember saying to myself.

In hindsight, maybe it wasn’t so surprising after all. I was a city girl, who always loved the vast countryside and beaches Australia had to offer. I would escape the hustle and bustle every chance I could.

I’d spent five years travelling and working abroad (yet another left fielder), when I returned home to discover my two brothers had purchased a farm in beautiful South Gippsland.

I fondly remember the many weekends I headed down south to see family. My weekdays were emotionally intense and the further I drove from Melbourne, the greener and lusher the land became with those breathtaking, picturesque, rolling hills.

By the time I reached my loved ones, I was inspired, relaxed and calm.

One of those memorable weekends in1995, I was introduced to a man who would eventually become my husband. He was born in South Gippsland and as a young adult, moved to Melbourne to pursue a career in the corporate world.

We resided together in a little unit in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs, when an opportunity suddenly arose to buy a family farm in Middle Tarwin -before it was listed for sale on the open market.

A decision had to be reached quickly!

My husband wore an emotional connection to this piece of land. He remembers climbing the old Cyprus trees during school holidays when he stayed with his endearing relatives. There was no question in his mind. After financial advice was sought and documents were approved and signed off, the farm was ours.

There I suddenly stood, wearing old clothes and brand-new leather work gloves prepared to get down and dirty. ‘So, what is it exactly I need to do?’ I remember thinking!

My husband had country and cattle running through his veins and threw me into the depth of farming. It wasn’t my forte, but I did the best I could and achieved enough to be proud of the blood, sweat and tears I shed.

Fifteen years have proven I’m definitely the nurturer in the family, while my husband is the brains behind our successful cattle business.

I couldn’t be more proud of him and his achievements, and although I feel I wouldn’t have landed on a beef farm had we not met, I adore the community and surrounds we live in and cherish each day I awake in beautiful South Gippsland.