Time To Stop And Smell The Proteas

The Age

Saturday May 29, 2004

LOU SWEENEY

Brian and Melissa Halloran moved from Sandringham to Mirboo North in Gippsland two years ago.

Background: Brian lived in Sandringham for nearly 30 years, working in the public service before getting into gardening. Melissa was a teacher/librarian who had lived all her life in Sandringham. They now run a protea farm, just out of Mirboo North, full-time.

Why the sea change? I came from the country and always had a desire to go back. Melissa often spent time in the country as a youngster, and when the kids were growing up we'd go camping to places like Wilsons Promontory, so we just really enjoyed being in the country. Now the kids have grown up, we decided we really wanted to do this.

Why this area? We looked at places that were a few hours from Melbourne and we were interested in alternative housing and having a big garden. We were looking at something around five acres (two hectares) that we could build our own mud-brick house on, then we found this place that had a terrific existing mud-brick on 10 acres with a protea farm, so we could have an income as well. Mirboo North has good soil, good rainfall, and has the sea on one side and the mountains on the other - that's something we've always loved.

How have you been received by the locals? Very well. Our neighbours are friendly and helpful and we co-operate on the issues that affect us both. Mirboo North is full of volunteer groups, so there's a pretty good spirit in the community.

Describe your favourite place. I like to say there are million-dollar views everywhere. We do a round trip of the area - five- to 10-kilometre bike rides - and it's just beautiful everywhere.

Favourite view? The view from our property. It's virtually all north-facing and we're on a ridge that faces across the valley with views over to Mount Baw Baw.

Do you miss anything about Melbourne? The immediacy of friends. As far as the city itself goes, we don't miss a thing.

Do family and friends visit? We'd probably have someone here at least once a fortnight. Our place is well set up for it because we have the living areas at one end and the accommodation at the other, so we all have some space. It's great when people come: we sit around the fire, have dinner, and no one has to leave.

Did it take long to adjust? When we first arrived we didn't have time really to think about anything else. The flowers start in March and go until around November.

Any advice for prospective sea-changers? You need to know what you're doing and be happy to do it. Also, make sure you find good service providers. It's important to know where the doctor is as well as the tractor mechanic.

Best and worst aspects of sea change? Best: It has certainly met our desire to get into a different and lovely home. Worst: You do miss friends and you have to be prepared to travel to town for certain things. There's nothing really bad at all.

© 2004 The Age

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