I have been BURSTING to share this wonderful family with you – and their TO-DIE-FOR country house, magnificent garden and exemplary Blue Rock stud farm – since the first day I met them! So, without further ado … ENJOY!
Late last year, AJW Esq. and I set about searching for somewhere to buy a few head of black-faced Suffolk sheep to add to our small flock AND somewhere to buy a few head of Highland cattle. My brother had told me about Mark and Deva’s prize-winning Suffolk sheep stud farm in Romsey – so off we went. Fate proved our good fortune because Mark and Deva breed both black-faced Suffolks AND Highland cattle! Happy SYNCHRONICITY! Mark and Deva have been very generous indeed to share their private space with The Countryphiles for this story.
‘Eden Park’ (the original name of the property) has been in Mark’s family since his descendants purchased the land at the crown grant land sales at Kilmore in 1857. Mark is the fifth-generation and his daughters Sequoia and Chenoa the sixth! IMPRESSIVE history and connection to the land guys! No wonder Eden Park FEELS so warm and inviting and so lived-in and loved.
The first stage of the gorgeous Italianate homestead, made of bluestone quarried from the property, was built in 1858, which means Eden Park is a grand 155 years old this year! A joyous and well-earned HAPPY Birthday to ‘Eden Park’ from The Countryphiles. AND, let me tell you, Eden Park doesn’t show its age at all! Even the OUTBUILDINGS, which have more than stood the test of time, are handsome enough to make you SIGH. DREAM. DESIRE. Enjoy! {d} x
OKAY, so I think we all agree that the family is beautiful, the house is GORGEOUS, the garden is stunning, the cat is as cute as a button and the teal satin shearing shed chairs are DELICIOUS! And, I think we all agree that the hedge trimming alone would wear US out. But, it’s only just the beginning of the incredible work ethic of this amazing farming family. Having said that, somehow these guys make it all seem so effortless and so DREAMY.
Mark and Deva run Blue Rock – their commercial stud farm that breeds black-faced Suffolk sheep and Highland cattle – on the 100 acres or so of natural and improved pasture that surrounds the homestead. WHY did they choose Suffolk sheep AND Highland cattle? Glad you asked, because the answer involves TRAVEL, PASSION and ROMANCE.
The couple established the Blue Rock Highland fold because Mark had been captivated by the breed during his travels to the Scottish Highlands twenty-five or so years ago. They established the Blue Rock Suffolk stud because Mark bought Deva a small flock as a wedding gift! How SWEET! Especially so because after marrying Mark Deva relocated to Australia from the United States where her grandparents had a cattle ranch and some Suffolk sheep. Knowing Deva was close to her Grandfather, Charlie, who had given Deva her first Suffolk sheep when she was just 12 years old, Mark thought the gift might help her feel more at home! SIGH. While we’re SWOONING, the name ‘Blue Rock’ derives from Deva’s Grandmother who referred to ‘Eden Park’ homestead as being built of ‘blue rock’ instead of bluestone. Too CUTE!
On my visit, I got to meet the latest edition to the Blue Rock Highland cattle fold – a 3-day-old heifer! She was truly ADORABLE!
Deva met Mark in 1989 when she was visiting Australia as part of a Future Farmers of America exchange program. They married a year later in the United States, lived in Macedon for some years, until moving in to ‘Eden Park’ in 2007. Deva is the farm/stud’s day-to-day Manager, while Mark works as a telecommunications network engineer in Melbourne (although he would love nothing more than to help develop the farm to a point where it could support itself and the family full-time).
Deva told me that back in the States, her Grandfather used to let his animals roam free to forage so he placed bells on them to keep track of their whereabouts and because they had predators such as BEARS, COUGARS and WOLVES! Sure makes our sly old FOX and the odd crow seem like chicken feed!
Tell us a little bit about your background/s. What path led you to move to the country?
We have both always lived in the country. Mark grew up on a sheep and cattle farm in Springfield, Victoria. His father and uncle farmed together raising their families on the same farm. They were never short of finding someone to play with as there were 7 boys and 1 girl between the two brothers’ families.
I grew up and went to school in a small wheat community in Washington State, USA. The two people that had the biggest influence on my life were my grandparents Charlie and Isabelle Weitman. They were cattle Ranchers and taught me the value of hard work and family values.
Do you consider yourselves to be ‘Countryphiles’? Do you love country life? Why?
Country life is the only life for us. We enjoy the freedom and quiet atmosphere of the country. With the world’s population constantly growing it is nice to have the extra space around us. The freedom and open spaces can never be taken for granted – and we don’t. Every morning when we wake, we always marvel at how lucky we are to live such a peaceful life.
What is a typical day in YOUR COUNTRY LIFE like; from when you wake to when you go to sleep?
Life isn’t all coffee and newspapers here. Every morning is an early start whether it is the weekend or not. There is always something that needs to be done from animals that need to be fed and cared for to fencing or tree planting. Then there is the never-ending maintenance of a farm and in our case it’s the old buildings and pastures that need to be maintained and/or renovated. It’s a good thing that we enjoy hard work. In the end, we see the fruits of our labour all around us.
What aspect of country life are you loving MOST at the moment?
Quiet mornings with only the sounds of the birds, fresh air and the history that surrounds us. No matter what we do we are always reminded of those that came before us. Every time we dig in the garden or repair something we are always mindful of those who came before. That is one thing you can never forget when you live in an old family home like ‘Eden Park’.
What is the most CHALLENGING aspect of country life?
The weather would have to be the most challenging. Because we depend on what mother nature throws at us, it can be very challenging at times. These last few years have been great! Plenty of rain and plenty of grass relieve some of the pressures of farming cattle and sheep. But once again, this year we are reminded of the stresses of the dry, hot summer with next-to-no rain and the pressure of keeping the livestock in good health. Some days, when we are feeling tired and worn out, we wonder – why not move to a small house block with minimal worries and responsibilities? But, we stick it out because we both know that wouldn’t be for us.
Do you prefer Coffee or Tea? Your favourite country café and why?
We both love coffee AND tea! Being able to sit down and converse with friends over a brew of any kind is fantastic! We are spoilt in the Macedon Ranges as there are so many excellent café’s and restaurants to frequent.
What and where was the last great meal you enjoyed/shared in the country?
Our Easter lunch was pretty good; we cooked a home grown Suffolk leg of lamb in the Webber for about 4 hours. Talk about melt in your mouth! What a way to top of a day of Easter egg hunting and spending time with our girls.
Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?
A typical Saturday morning you will usually find us out working with our cattle or sheep. Because we take our livestock to shows there is always a lot of preparation involved. Training both the cattle and the sheep to walk on a lead as well the normal animal husbandry jobs that need to be carried out.
YOUR country town’s best kept secret?
Our country town’s (Romsey) best kept secret would have to be its history. It seems it is growing so fast that this is being lost. Most rural towns in close proximity to Melbourne are probably feeling the same. It’s inevitable that small communities will grow, but the history of the place should never be forgotten.
MACEDON RANGES’ best kept secret?
The fact that the Macedon Ranges is close to Melbourne but has been able to maintain its Natural beauty without too much urban sprawl spoiling it. We only hope that it can be protected from over-development, which is what has happened to many rural communities that are close to Capital Cities.
Would you ENCOURAGE others to live a country life? Why/why not?
Living in the country brings you closer to nature and makes you appreciate how precious our natural environment is and that it should be respected. It can be a peaceful existence but when moving to the country one has to realise that the conveniences and services of a large city and its suburbs are far fewer in the country. But we don’t mind, it’s all a trade-off.
What ADVICE would you give those dreaming of making a TREE CHANGE?
Embrace and enjoy it for what it is; in all its peaceful beauty and slower pace.
What can we expect NEXT from you/your business in the future?
The continuation of the production of quality stud stock both in the Highland Cattle and Suffolk Sheep breeds. We will continually balance the farming side of our business with the ongoing care and respect of our environment. We might not have a lot of control of the World’s environment, but as long as we do what we can at our level we can sleep easier. Without our ecosystems we are nothing. We do not control them – they control us and how we will live in the future.
What are you looking FORWARD to and why?
We are looking forward to the continuation of the next cycle of the farming season. Lambs and calves being born, spring-time flowers and most of all sharing time with our girls while they are still young. All this, while enjoying the space and history that surrounds us every day. A HOLIDAY would be nice too!
Can you list for us 5 specific things you turn to/do when you need of a ‘dose’ of city life?
City life was fun and unique when we were younger, but family and quality-of-life are far more important to us now and we enjoy our country life. We do like to go and see a show now and then. Mark works in the city Monday-to-Friday and can’t wait to get home to enjoy the peaceful surrounds. Yet, each weekend is always action-packed on our small farm.
Mark Clement & Deva Weitman
Blue Rock
www.bluerockstudstock.com.au
The Countryphiles 