FARM YARNS

Autumn

2013

Autumn

2013

Farm Yarns is a quarterly publication from the Collingwood Children’s Farm (CCF). The CCF, a not-for-profit,

educational small-holding city farm was established in 1979 as a “country experience for city folk”. The Farm is sited

on the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmlands, the oldest continually farmed land in Victoria (since 1836).

The CCF is guided by a Committee of Management, elected annually.

The Collingwood Children’s Farm are proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri of the Kulin Federation

as the traditional owners of the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmlands, the land

we respect, care for and farm on behalf of all Victorians. The Farm thanks

all Wurundjeri Elders past and present, for their guardianship of these lands.

We would like to acknowledge generous

support from the following organisations:

2012-13 Committee of Management

Cheryl Cameron Mikyla Hart Netta McArthur (Pres.) Helen Semmler (Sec.)

Lachlan Fitch Pip Hay Lily O’Neill Greg Sparks (V.Pres.)

Richard Ginsburg (Treas.) Jane Ogilvie Lachlan Turner Cr Stephen Jolly

Alex Walker (Farm Manager)

Farm Patron - Mrs Elizabeth Chernov, Government House

Front Cover photo - Indian Runner ducklings learning to swim (image by Andrew Phillips)

Rear Cover photo - Love shines in the evening at Jacqueline and Guy’s January wedding (image by Andrew Phillips)

FARMLAND SINCE 1838

Farm ManagerFarm ManagerFarm Manager Alex WalkerAlex WalkerAlex Walker

3

shelter belts - quite sensible really. We do

move our animals regularly, so check with

Farm staff as to where they are located. If a

paddock is actually empty of animals, it means

we are probably resting it. Or look harder in

the shaded areas!

The Farm’s popularity as a wedding venue

continues to grow; there have been six lovely

couples who have chosen the Farm as the

place to celebrate their special day over the last

three months (check out the photos on pages 9

and 10). Please feel free to contact me if you

would like to discuss having a wedding (or

other event) at the Farm.

Our 2012-2013 poultry hatching season has

had some delays with the incubator. Nick and

Andrew did a fine job completing running

repairs however we still lost about three weeks

worth of clutches which was both unexpected

and disappointing. As a result there may be a

Managers Report

Lots of sun and no rain (or at least very little)!

It’s often said that farmers talk about not much

else but the weather. And we have seen the

heat settle well and truly in over the last

month. It’s at times like this that having an

Integrated Paddock Management Program

(IPMP) delivers great dividends in terms of the

long-term care of the Abbotsford Precinct

Heritage Farmlands. Because if we don’t care

for the (very limited) amount of farmland we

have, then we won’t be farming for long.

If you do choose to visit the Farm on a hot day,

please remember that we give the animals

freedom of choice with regards to their own

space and activity. So when it’s a hot day, they

generally choose to sit quietly in shade of the

Below: Daisy nibbling (or is that scoffing) fresh grass

Below: New peacock chicks on walkabout with mum

COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM

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The Farm stepped onto the world stage last

year by becoming a member of the European

Federation of City Farms (EFCF), the first in

the Southern Hemisphere. This achievement

was confirmed with a recent visit by Ela

Gandhi, international human rights activist

and the grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi.

Ela is also a farmer! It was an honour to have

her visit the Farm and understand how we use

farming to create sustainable community. In

limited amount of poultry available for sale

this year, so remember to keep an eye out for

when sales commence.

For those who purchased a 2013 farm

calendar, you would have (hopefully) noticed

on the back page a QR code. The Farm has

launched it’s own app, a first for us. It is meant

to be a bit of education (but disguised as fun,

so don’t tell the kids), if you have feedback on

the app please send it to sales@farm.org.au we

look forward to hearing from you.

After a long renovation the Farm Cafe

successfully reopened to all our hungry

visitors on the 21st of January. Tom, Pip and

their team have hit the ground running and

after a few weeks it seems like they were never

closed! The new menu has been a great hit (try

the slow-cooked beans) and you can check out

their revised website on www.farmcafe.org.au.

Works have started to extend the brick

flooring to all covered areas of the stables. This

will improve the Southern end and make it

more comfortable for RDA (less dust), as well

as for potential events such as weddings or

small corporate functions.

A big thanks for those Farm Members inspired

by our last ‘Farm Yarns’ (pages 6-7) who sent

an email or letter to Richard Wynne MP

regarding the future of the land we farm. It is

important that our local (and wider) politicians

understand how the community feels

regarding the cultural heritage and permanent

preservation of all the land that the Farm has

cared for over its 34 years.

Below: New brick paving at Southern end of stables

FARMLAND SINCE 1838

5

busy. The horses are getting used to working

again after having an extended break over the

Christmas and New Years period. To make

sure they keep a healthy weight, some of the

ponies have been put in a ‘short grass’

paddock. As humans we might call it ‘the

Jenny Craig paddock’ because like us, horses

shouldn’t carry too much excess weight.

Recent corporate events have provided the

Farm with a much-needed source of extra

income. As a not-for-profit that has to provide

for its own financial wellbeing, we simply

could not offer the range of positive social

programs for the local community without it!

this sense, the Farm continues the local work

of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, or the

Mahatma who used farmland for a positive

social purpose.

The Young Farmers have returned to the Farm,

it is great to see familiar faces back and keen to

experience another positive year of activity.

We have had a few Young Farmers go on to

become casual staff at the Farm (once they

reach working age), which is a very exciting

progression for everyone to celebrate.

Family Days have also commenced for 2013,

with our first in February being especially

Below: Indian Runner ducklings getting used to their swimming pool. Once full size, they will join the main flock.

COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM

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PHOTOS

1 Buskers at Farm for City of Yarra

competition

2 The bongo beat up close

3 Scones at Farm Cafe too good nom

nom nom

4 Duck everyone!

5 Gleaming new coffee machine brings

happiness (caffeine) to everyone

1

3

5

4

2

FARMLAND SINCE 1838

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It’s been very hot and very dry. Regardless of

what the weather is doing, January is school

holidays and as busy as you would expect it,

the weekends are packed with families having

a pleasant day out.

Tomato season is also upon us, they are

ripening on the vines as we speak. The garden

beds planted by the Sophia Mundi students

before Christmas last year are bearing fruit

and vegetables! Zucchinis, Tomatoes, Onions,

Leeks, Parsley, Eggplants and Capsicums are

currently in season and the Sweet Corn is

about to start.

This year some of our excess fruit and produce

has being offered to the ‘Money For Jam’

project run by Taskforce, Moorabbin. The

project provides cooking experience and

training for women who are currently

unemployed. They are turning our Apricots,

Plums and Tomatoes into yummy jams and

chutneys. And doing fabulous job too - the

jams and chutney are really tasty. Look out for

the produce and preserves which are available

at Reception and also at the Farmers Market.

Be quick as they are selling fast!

The Young Farmers are back yay! First tasks

for the year are usually a bit of maintenance as

well as regular duties such as animal care,

horseriding and gardening, etc. They have all

done a fantastic job of painting the trotting

poles for the ménage in a colourful range of

designs. Let’s hope the horses appreciate their

artistic creations.

Due to the delay to our hatching season

(caused by a dodgy incubator), we will

hopefully have chickens for sale at the

Bridget Bainbridge/Bridget Bainbridge/Bridget Bainbridge/

Nick KaravokirosNick KaravokirosNick Karavokiros Farm NewsFarm NewsFarm News

Above: The Sophia Mundi garden in full swing

(image Bridget Bainbridge)

Above: Yummy ripe Farm tomatoes for the ‘Money For Jam’

chutney makers (image Bridget Bainbridge)

COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM

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beginning of March. Other animal news is

Jabob the new boar continues to settle in nicely

to his new home at the Farm. We are hopefully

expecting our first litter from him and

Maybelle in a few month’s time.

Number 16 Saint Heliers Street (the

Kreitmayer House) is receiving some external

attention to remove the layers of old paint on

the outside. Once we have a ‘clean slate’ we

can repaint in an appropriate heritage colour.

There’s a detailed article on Max Kreitmayer

on pages 14 and 15, very interesting!

And in more old house news, 18 Saint Heliers

Street (the old Farm offices) is now home to

the Victorian Farmers Market Association.

This is one of those great ‘full circle’ moments,

as Miranda Sharp (current VFMA Secretary)

was one of those who helped establish the

market at the Farm in October 2003. This

kicked off the Farmer’s Market revolution in

Melbourne! If you would like to find out more

information there’s plenty of good detail to

read at http://www.vicfarmersmarkets.org.au.

Below: Colourful artistic creations by the Young Farmers

(image Bridget Bainbridge)

Above: Our new Berkshire dad-to-be, Jacob

(image Bridget Bainbridge)

Below: No. 18 now the new home of the VFMA

(image Andrew Phillips)

FARMLAND SINCE 1838

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Recent Farm Weddings 1

Vale Maggie Cat ...

Maggie was one of our very old, much

loved farm cats, instantly recognisable due

to having her ears removed (due to cancer)

as a young cat. We were always asked ‘can

she hear?’! Sadly Maggie recently

developed a large facial lump that turned

out to be cancerous. Surgery may have

extended her life however given her

advanced age the quality of it would have

dropped quite badly. And so we took the

difficult (and never

easy) decision to

euthanise. Maggie

will be deeply

missed by all

visitors and the

Farm Staff

COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM

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More Weddings 2 & 3

FARMLAND SINCE 1838

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ToniToniToni

PhillipsPhillipsPhillips Community Gardens NewsCommunity Gardens NewsCommunity Gardens News

Meet the plotter—John Hutchinson

John has had a plot for three years at the Farm

and absolutely loves it. ‘It is an oasis in

Melbourne and when the goats are in the Barn

Paddock next to the plots, it is an extra bonus’.

Since having the plot he has noticed that they

buy much less vegetables at the market each

week (mainly only fruit). Jenny his wife loves

to make chutneys, pickles and preserves with

Beans and Cauliflower; and Green Tomato

relish with the glut of so many tomatoes.

Then they love to give the excess to family

friends and people in the street. His best crop

at the moment is Rhubarb, picking it weekly,

with yesterday’s harvest of three kilograms.

John, like many of the plotters is a wonderful

‘plot neighbour’ helping to look after each

others plots when needed, watering etc and

this caring attitude for the plot and the person

is what real community is about. Happy

growing John.

Below: John and his productive garden plot (image courtesy Toni Phillips)

COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM

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Plant NewsPlant NewsPlant News Toni PhillipsToni PhillipsToni Phillips

After a wonderful time growing and eating the

produce from your garden don’t forget to

leave some plants to go to seed (which can

then also be harvested). Resist the urge to tidy

up. There are many benefits of seeding plants

in the garden.

The most obvious is allowing the plant to fulfil

its inherent role to reproduce; this can be

either left to truly follow nature’s path and self

-sow or you can collect the seeds for future

use. Another benefit is to attract insects for

pollination and pest control.

Each stage of a plant’s life cycle plays a part in

the ecosystem that is a garden bed: eg plants

whose seed heads form from flat, branched

flower heads like umbrellas (known as the

family Umbilliferaceae) attract Hover Flies

whose larvae feed on aphids.

Tips for saving seeds

Collecting seeds is fun, easy, a great thing to

do with children and most importantly is a

real investment in the future. Try to only

plant non-hybrid, open-pollinated seeds and

seedlings so that you can then save the seeds

from them for future plantings.

Hybrid plants have been designed for

consumption to produce early, large or

visually appealing food (often lower in food

value). The trade-off (whether deliberate or

not) is that the seeds are usually sterile,

therefore no point in saving them (what better

way to get control of the food supply)! Be sure

to always leave the strongest, healthiest and

disease-free plants to go to seed. Ensure these

plants receive sufficient water (especially

during the flowering stage) for the seeds to

properly develop.

Harvesting and storing seeds

The easiest seeds to collect are those that are

big—like beans, peas, corn etc. Simply let the

seeds mature and dry on the plant in the

ground. All nutrients left in the leaves and

stems is recycled and absorbed by the seed.

Pick the seed pods when they are dry and

brittle but before they split open. Make sure

that the seeds and weather conditions are dry

when harvesting. Allow fleshy plants like

tomatoes, melons and cucumbers to get a little

over-ripe without rotting on the plant before

harvesting. Separate the seeds from the flesh

by rinsing with water, then thoroughly dry

before storing.

Store seeds in airtight containers and don’t

forget to label the name of each plant and date

of harvest. Store in a cool dark dry place as

heat and damp will reduce their viability.

Wild food

‘Neantóg a dhóigh mé agus cupóg a leigheas

mé. (‘A nettle stung me and a dock leaf cured

FARMLAND SINCE 1838

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me’). So goes the old Irish saying. The name

Dock is applied to a widespread group of

broad-leaved weeds, of the same family as

Rhubarb, and Sorrel - Stinging Nettle and

Dock leaves are a famous poison and antidote

combination—often found growing side-by-

side (they thrive in a similar habitat).

The nettle-neutralizing power of a Dock leaf is

common knowledge passed down from

generation to generation. All farm folk know

rubbing a Dock leaf calms a nettle sting. The

suffering sting from nettles comes from a tiny

amount of formic acid, found in small “hairs”

along the stem and leaves. Dock leaves contain Page 12, corner/Below: Dock leaves, good for goats.

(both images courtesy of Toni Phillips)

a small amount of antihistamine which soothes

the sting. Nicholas Culpepper in his ‘Complete

Herbal and English Physician’ (not out of print

since 1653!) noted that: ‘All docks being boiled

with meat, make it boil the sooner; besides, it

is exceeding strengthening to the liver, and

procures good blood, being as wholesome a

pot-herb as any that groweth in a garden; yet

such is the nicety of our times, forsooth, that

women will not put it into a pot, because it

makes the pottage black; pride and ignorance

(a couple of monsters in the creation)

preferring nicety before health.’

We are often asked many questions about the

history of 16 Saint Heliers Street, the two-

storied dwelling located at the front of the

Farm. Its first occupant was Max Kreitmayer

(1830-1906) and his family. He had the house

constructed in 1857—which makes the house

the oldest still standing in Abbotsford today.

Max was a well-respected and renowned wax

modeller who enjoyed a very successful career

in what was first the colony, then State of

Victoria. Only just recently we discovered that

he made a model of Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

whose replica papal robes were made by the

Sisters of the Good Shepherd at Abbotsford!

So for those of you with a history bent, please

find a detailed article on the life and career of

Max Ludwig Kreitmayer:

Maximilian Ludwig (Max) Kreitmayer (1830-

1906), waxworks proprietor, was born on

31 December 1830 in Munich, Bavaria, son of

Maximilian Ludwig Kreitmayer, artist. After

studying anatomy in Munich, young Max

visited Britain for further study and worked as a

medical modeller at St Bartholomew's Hospital,

London. Describing himself as an artist, he

married Eliza Spong on 2 July 1856 in the parish

church, Leeds, Yorkshire. They were to have four

children.

Attracted by the gold rush, Kreitmayer reached

Melbourne in December that year; Eliza joined

him in February 1858. Not having much success

at the diggings, in 1859 he opened an anatomical

museum, a popular, if unrespectable, form of

'instructive' entertainment, which included wax

models of sexual organs decayed by venereal

disease. He toured the goldfields with his

collection of anatomical items and by 1862 had

opened a museum in Bourke Street, Melbourne.

The collection was shown to segregated

audiences, his wife lecturing to the women. He

also opened anatomical and waxworks museums

in Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart.

In 1862 Kreitmayer sold his collection of

anatomical models to the government of Chile,

for the Santiago medical school. He exhibited

another collection at L. L. Smith's Polytechnic

Institute, then in mid-1863 went into

partnership with a phrenologist Philemon Sohier

and his wife Ellen, proprietors of Madame

Sohier's Waxworks of Melbourne and Sydney.

Kreitmayer managed the Sydney business. On 31

January 1868 in Sydney, a widower, he married

with Anglican rites English-born Emily Anne

Waite, who had arrived in Melbourne in 1860,

and had apparently already borne him three

children.

Returning to Melbourne in 1869, Kreitmayer

became proprietor of that city's sole waxworks.

The Victorian government commissioned him to

make figures for international exhibitions.

Notable among these were figures of Aborigines

for the Paris (1878) and Indian and Colonial

(1886) exhibitions. Kreitmayer's waxworks

museum came to be regarded by some as a

'gallery of reference'. It included historical and

newsworthy figures such as the royal family,

COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM

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Farmland HistoryFarmland HistoryFarmland History Andrew PhillipsAndrew PhillipsAndrew Phillips

FARMLAND SINCE 1838

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Dreyfus, Sarah Bernhardt and Melba. The

Chamber of Horrors also portrayed a Kelly gang

tableau (1880), the Deeming murders (1892) and

Jimmy Governor and his victims (1900).

Kreitmayer ran the Bourke Street entertainment

until shortly before his death but also employed

managers and other wax modellers. His manager

Phil Stuart had a theatrical background and from

the 1880s the waxworks included vaudeville and

music hall acts such as magicians, ventriloquists

and chorus girls.

Emily died in 1879. On 29 March 1884,

claiming to be a bachelor, Kreitmayer married

Harriet Mary Watts at Launceston, Tasmania.

He was elected to Collingwood council in 1887,

and was mayor in 1893. He lost in mining

ventures, however, and his business suffered a

downturn during the 1890s, causing his

insolvency in 1898. By 1903, with Harriet's

financial help, the waxworks' yearly takings were

more than £1000.

Kreitmayer died on 1 June 1906 at Collingwood

and was buried in Melbourne general cemetery

with Anglican rites. His wife and their son and

daughter, and two sons and two daughters of his

second marriage survived him. Despite his

somewhat Bohemian life, he was remembered as

'a man of most loveable disposition'. His widow

(d.1934) continued the business, incorporating a

cinema in the building. Her projectionist was F.

W. Thring who married Max's and Harriett's

daughter Olive.

References: Colligan M 2005, Australian Dictionary of

Biography, Supplementary Volume, MUP <http://

adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kreitmayer-maximilian-

ludwig-max-13034>

The Argus, 17 March 1945, pg 12

COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM

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Did you know? In the last ‘Farm Yarns’ we talked about the importance of protecting genetic diversity in the

food chain by keeping Rare Breeds animals (and seeds, don’t forget them) alive. And

discussed the idea that your dollar has power. Where you spend makes retailers listen! This

has proven especially so in the Netherlands, where the ‘Plofkip’ (literally ‘exploding chicken’)

Campaign has seen local companies and multinational corporations such as Unilever, Struik

and Johma decide to ban using fast-growing broiler chicken meat from their products such as

salads, soups, etc.

A fast-growing broiler chicken grows to a large size in a much shorter period of time than its

bone structure can often cope with. This can lead to health problems with such as laboured

breathing, poor walking ability (or leg bones deforming under their own weight) and

reduced natural behaviours (which can lead to cannibalism through boredom or frustration).

This growth rate is clearing demonstrated by the following pictures (used in the Plofkip

Campaign) to illustrate the size difference between an organic and broiler chick:

And with the recent horsemeat scandal unfolding in Europe, it’s even more important for us

all to demand to know exactly where our food comes from. Your health demands it! Will

something like this campaign take root in Australia? Who knows?

References: EFCF Newsletter 3, December 2012,

p. 9

< h t t p : / / n l . w i k i p e d i a . o r g / w i k i /

Bestand:Plofkip_en_biologisch_kip.png>

<http://www.voedselencyclopedie.nl/Plofkip>

Left: A roadside Plokfip protest

FARMLAND SINCE 1838

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To continue on from last year’s chiropractic

work and Equine Pilates, I have kicked off

2013 reunited with the lovely Ted once again.

Having had a visit from the saddle fitter (who

has added extra cushioning to his saddle to

accommodate riders of all shapes and sizes),

Ted is feeling a lot better than he was last year.

We are hoping that his improved saddle will

have a lasting effect on his health when put in

combination with regular stretches and riding

work that will build up both his fitness and

back muscles. At the moment this simply

involves a lot of bending, stretching, circles

and trotting exercises - but I am hoping we can

move onto bigger and brighter things in the

near future.

By himself Ted is a pleasure to ride, but he is

still struggling to get used to riding with a

group again (having friends from other

paddocks in the arena at the same time is a

little too exciting at the moment!). And so

came about the idea to ride regularly with

other farmers Ainslie and Holly.

Ainslie has recently started work with Tumby,

a dramatic departure from her dear Brandy

whilst Holly was reunited with her beau,

Charlie Benson. Getting (the horse equivalent

of) an older person’s fitness back to a more

youthful vigour after gradual decline will keep

Ainslie occupied for some time. And I imagine

working on some of Charlie’s riding

eccentricities will keep Holly busy also!

Volunteers from Riders for the Disabled (RDA)

have also begun regular riding on Mondays

with Zac and Brandy. Our aim for this year is

for the horses to build up extra fitness to keep

up with the kids that come through the Farm

week in and week out. I am hoping this is the

year I can get Ted out of the arena more and

into the paddock for some more varied work

and a chance to stretch his legs. And having

started an instructors course, to eventually

bring the Young Farmers along with me!

I feel very lucky to be involved with such a

lovely group of horses, especially one as

handsome as Ted! Hopefully this will be the

year for the horses to gain some more fitness,

education and confidence to all reach their true

potential.

Below: Teddy on his very first day at the Farm

(image Olivia Knowles)

Horse TailsHorse TailsHorse Tails Olivia KnowlesOlivia KnowlesOlivia Knowles

COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM

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Landcare ReportLandcare ReportLandcare Report Bridget BainbridgeBridget BainbridgeBridget Bainbridge

We are very fortunate to have received

funding from no less than three different

sources. Funding from Citipower has been

allocated to help us improve our pasture and

shelterbelts. This project is looking at

sustainably managing the soil and plants

growing in our pastures to provide optimum

food for our animals and decreasing the need

to bring ‘food mile rich’ fodder onto the farm.

Part of this strategy is to spread rock dusts that

improve soil pH and mineral balance available

to the plants. To this end we have purchased a

spinner-spreader to spread dolomite and lime.

It is very cheerful looking (being bright yellow

and red), and is making us feel quite cheerful

too, as last time we spread lime if was using a

trailer behind the tractor and a broom or

wheelbarrows. We looked like a group of

snowmen at the end!

Port Philip and Westernport Catchment

Management Association have also provided

us with funding to buy plants for the areas

along the riverbank newly sprayed. This

means that plants will grow quickly into the

areas previously covered in Tradescantia weed,

shading the area so that it cannot re-establish.

And finally, Melbourne Water have

generously provided us with funding to

continue the planting and spraying further

downstream along the riverbank.

All in all, there’s going to be a lot of work done

on the riverbank over the next twelve months

and we are going to need all the help we can

get. Planting Days are already organised -

Planet Ark Tree Day is Sunday 28 July 2013

(School’s Planting day is Friday 26 July 2013).

Make a note of it now in your diary!

Below: New seedlings await planting

(image Bridget Bainbridge)

Above: New plantings grow in the shelter belts

FARM YARNS Next edition due out 1st day of Winter

Where to find us St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

Melways Ref 44 G5

Open every day of the year

Entry: $16 Family

$8 Adult

$4 Child

Collingwood Children’s Farm PO Box 80 Abbotsford 3067

Farm phone: 9417 5806 Email: reception@farm.org.au Website: www.farm.org.au

PLACE STAMP HERE

The concept of a supported volunteer program is unique to our farm. Originally it was known as the Disability Pro-gram, but we prefer to focus on abilities rather than the lack of them … just like the renamed RDA riding program! You may ask why the program exists and what are the benefits of it to the participants and the farm. In the case of special school students, both in class groups

Farmer’s Market held the second Saturday of

every month for beautiful fresh, quality produce.

Farmland since 1838

Also enjoy hay rides and pony rides (when available), and other farm activities all for

price of standard entry.

Family Fun Days

First Sunday of the month (no Family Fun Day in January)