Angela McLean's happy place

In 1993, my husband, Peter, and I purchased an old dairy farm in South Australia’s Hindmarsh Valley, Ngarrindjeri Country. We wanted an escape from the city of Adelaide and for our kids to experience a regular connection to the natural bush.

This was our opportunity, but we had work to do. Whilst there was an amazing remnant patch of native scrub and beautiful vistas that stretched out to Encounter Bay, most of the land was cleared.

We sought out a revegetation expert and farm consultant to help us plan and execute our vision of restoring the landscape.

Over the years, we’ve planted 20,000 natives and spent countless hours managing weeds, like gorse, to help the land resume its natural state.

The diversity of native birds and animals continues to expand, and now, we have secured a Heritage Agreement with the South Australian Government to protect the 18-hectare patch.

It’s been hard work, but it’s worth it. When we have spare time away from the farm and bed and breakfast management, we love to spend it walking through our labour of love – the restored scrub! 

Wedge-tailed eagles soar above, and if we’re lucky we might spot an antechinus, bandicoot, or possum making use of the nature corridors we’ve created. When you are amongst the dense-stringybark forest, it feels like a different world.

As we worked to restore our little patch of the world, we realised how much work was needed to be done on a larger scale. In 2017, during our camping stay at Hamelin Station on Malgana Country, Western Australia, we were first introduced to Bush Heritage’s work.

Inspired by the organisation’s commitment to preserving Australia’s natural landscapes and research-based approach to conservation, we became supporters. 

We find it heart-warming to learn more about the progress made by the organisation, and it gives us hope that our grandchildren’s future will be brighter and greener.