My father came to Nandaly around 1921 and got a hold of 308ha. I was born in 1931 and at 91, have finished writing a book titled ‘The way it was,’ which reflects on my past and the conditions most families around Nandaly would have endured. The first job I had after school was for a bank which lasted about a year.
In 1948 I was back at the family farm and quickly learnt how to shear sheep, which paid much more than the bank job. Back then, the farm was a mixed farming enterprise with a 3-year rotation.
Together with my family we grew the property and weathered many storms. 1982 was one of the toughest droughts and then in 1984 the interest rates rose to 23.8%, it nearly killed me, I had to work off farm to get by and turned to droving stock through QLD and NSW.
I have seen some good times particularly in the 50s and 70s and hope agriculture keeps on improving. There have been some great improvements in plant breeding and equipment. Direct drilling was a significant improvement to cropping which we adopted quickly.
I think all farmers are pretty switched on now days and if I was to pass on any advice it would be keep up with technology and focus on fertiliser and rates.
I’m still very interested in what happens on the farm and often get out to see what is happening. The management has moved on to the next generation with two of my sons and two grandsons now running the show, one of which is Matt (pictured). The crops are diverse now growing wheat, barley, vetch, lupins, lentils and oaten hay and the livestock component is feedlot based.
All proceeds of my book go to Cancer Council for research purposes. If you would like a copy, contact the Sea Lake Shared Shop: sealake.vic.au