Visit Peppermint Ridge Farm
I grew up here at Tynong North, and when my parents passed away, we renovated my old family home and grandparents cottage a short distance away to Bed and Breakfast accommodation. We spend time during the week cleaning and setting up the two houses for people keen to stay at Tynong North and explore the beautiful region here.
During the month I will be giving presentations to libraries on native foods and providing property planning assessment and advice for people engaging me as an ecological consultant to restore and diversify their land.
To this end, Julie has a Design Certificate for consulting on Permaculture and almost completed a Masters in Environmental Science.
We wanted to set up a lifestyle working from home and so set up a range of business activities that reflected our experience.
Julie still sees herself as a teacher.
I love sharing knowledge and have been thrilled that our classes and events have been popular.
I will always be a teacher as it clicked with me from my first years of working with young people – especially in making learning about science fun and memorable, particularly for girls. These days I teach at the farm in our classes and tours and by giving presentations off-farm.
We run workshops in native food garden design and organic vegetable growing and will spend time setting those up for the month they are on.
When I was teaching in a secure school position, I thought that was all I could do. I found that the skills I had learnt from teaching set me up very well to change careers. The skills were very transferable – such as confidence in public speaking and excellent organisational skills.
Julie endeavours to pass on some of her passion for whatever it is she is speaking about. She also still tries to make learning about anything a pleasant, memorable and useful experience.
"I attempt to relate everything to people’s everyday life – how can they benefit from what they are learning?"
Julie also believes it is essential to listen to your audience and learn from them too.
"Older people have so much knowledge that they can pass on to you – so shut up and listen sometimes!"
For others who want to do what she has done, Julie's advice is to go for something you are passionate about, that there is a niche for, that you can do well and that is a high quality product or service.
Having the courage to leave teaching, working from the farm and setting up their own business has been the realisation of a dream for Julie. Sharing knowledge with all of the lovely people that have visited the farm and found the experience worthwhile is one of the highlights of her work.
The lifestyle has also allowed her and Anthony to travel more which is another passion and something she plans to do more of in the future.
Schoolhouse, shop and nursery open to the public on select Sundays 12-3 pm.
Check the website for Events and Workshops at the Peppermint Ridge Schoolhouse.
Purchase the Australian Native Food Harvest book, native Australian spices and teas from the online shop and nursery.
Location and Contact Details:
Only 10 minutes from Gumbuya World
540 Tynong North Road,
Tynong North, VIC 3813
Melway: Map 304 Ref: H7
03 5942 8580