Wanemya was purchased in late 1999 in an extremely degraded state by the current owners with the vision of doing a ‘reno’ and reselling in ten years. This initial purchase was Lot 59. Family circumstances slowed down the work for eight years, however it has been on track for the last three years.

The brick and tile house has been substantially renovated with a new bathroom and kitchen, vinyl floor coverings have been replaced with tiles and a pergola and water feature has been added to the extended front patio to give it a Mediterranean feel. The kitchen has a dishwasher, fully ducted exhaust fan, bench top ceramic hot plates and a walk-in pantry. A feature of the black and white kitchen is the extensive storage space. Two of the four bedrooms have built in wardrobes, two bedrooms are carpeted and two have ceramic tiles. All windows throughout the house are covered by UV rated venetian blinds to maximise temperature control and take full advantage of the stunning views from every room. A new hot water heater has been added. A bar and colorbond roof in the rear entertainment area have made this area a functional outdoor living space particularly during ‘the wet’. As an additional feature, with regard to global warming and associated extreme weather conditions, removable cyclone protection has been constructed and proved to be a valuable asset providing a snug environment during the recent Cyclones Ului and Anthony. Open fireplaces provide warmth to both the lounge and dining rooms. The house has been repainted throughout. The attached double garage has been reroofed, a panel lift electric door added and a spacious work area is included.

The house yard has been fully fenced and extensively landscaped with native trees and shrubs (grown from seeds collected on the property) and exotics. Plantings have formed garden rooms provided diverse ambience, from quiet reflective area to spectacular outlooks. . An outstanding feature of this area is the garden shower with hot and cold water with an outlook to die for. Two large vegetable gardens, an orchard, chook yard and shade house are all enclosed within the house yard area. The shade house is of commercial quality; (4m * 6m) has a water supply and has produced many of the thousands of trees planted on the property.

Beyond the house yard a new three bay colorbond shed with full length annex has replaced the old dairy. One bay is secured with a roller and PE door, a separate structure under the roofline can be utilised as a locked feed or chemical storage shed. A new donga of two rooms, bathroom and verandah provides additional independent living space. Two large enclosed yards with shedding and water delivers accommodation for goats, pigs or other animals. Behind the shed are new cattle yards, cattle crush (vet), molasses tank (concrete) and cattle and produce loading ramps. Additional related equipment: cattle weigh scales, round bail feeder, molasses licker, spear gates, trailer and pod (for molasses feeding), 600L Spray trailer, 2WD and 4WD ATV.

In 2003 a decision was made to purchase the adjoining block (Lot 58) to increase holding capacity, potential economic viability and enhance resale value. Lot 58 had been vacant for more than ten years and was overgrown and unfenced. It did however have an area of native forest containing valuable timber species and significant biodiversity.

Due to our interest in improving the environmental values of the property particularly due to the proximity of Eungella National Park and Crediton State Forest considerable time and money was spent on water quality and soil issues. Major waterways have been fenced off to exclude cattle this allowed for the regeneration of vegetation which slowed overland water flow and provided filtration traps for water entering the creeks and dams. The corollary of this has been that the water flows in the creeks all year round. Rotational grazing of cattle was introduced following an extensive fencing programme. This has enabled us to retain and manage good grass cover with increased holding capacity and improved soil quality. Additionally, planting of windbreaks and shelterbelts of trees has assisted in maintenance of soil moisture and improved and sustained pasture growth.

A number of tree plots have been established containing indigenous, native and exotic timber species. The planted windbreaks contain species grown from seed harvested on Wanemya, plus native and exotic species grown from purchased seed and trees purchased locally, intrastate and interstate. These trees and shrubs are a mix of timber, food trees and amenity species. A further planting of fifteen hundred native trees form a wildlife corridor along a creek system, linking the Eungella National Park to the Crediton State Forest. The area of native forest on Lot 58 of approximately seventy acres is eco-system classified as Remnant, not of concern and over which a Notice of Forest Practice has been made. Thinning, replanting of indigenous species and weed control have been commenced in this area. Timber from this native forest has been used both as posts and sawn rails in the construction of the cattle yards. “White areas” have been locked in on Wanemya giving control of land use (except for mining) over all the remaining property.

Local Government Rates $1142.87/half-yearly