The RF story so far....

By Kylie Stewart

How it all startedIn 1901 the Stewart Family purchased “Tyrone”. The original block was 400 acres however today it stands at 1680 acres in total .

1901-1938: Hugh & Caroline Stewart1938 – 1964: Harry & Betty Stewart1964-2003: Hugh & Diana Stewart2003-present: Andrew & Kylie Stewart

Taking over “Tyrone”

In 2003 Andrew and I began farming “Tyrone”,

Since the take over:

2003 – Drought2004 – 100 year flood – repairing damage2006 – 21st April we were married2007 – Time to think outside the square , the idea of diversifying was born...

Began!

www.rangitikeifarmstay.co.nz

2008

Farm Shed – Eastern Chalet

This project began in December 2008 and the first guests arrived in February 2009

BEFORE AFTER

Farm shed – Eastern Chalet

The inside BEFORE the building started but AFTER the clean out of farm stuff!

Farm shed – Eastern Chalet

The inside after...

This Chalet contains a queen bed and coffee/tea making facilities

Hay shed – RF Bunkhouse and Farm Museum

Before...

Hay shed – RF Bunkhouse and Farm Museum Before...

Hay shed – RF Bunkhouse and Farm Museum – Progress...

Window went in July 09The hayshed is no longer!

Me painting the old house after school

The deck begins being build January 2010

Hay shed – RF Bunkhouse and Farm Museum

After!

Finally after 2 long years of determination and hours and hours of work, the RF Bunkhouse and Farm Museum was complete! Well worth it!

RF Bunkhouse – After!

The RF bunkhouse sleeps 9 people. At this point it has no running water or toilet. If I was successful my AMP scholarship, the money would helps towards this.

RF Eastern Chalet and Bunkhouse

Grand Opening of the RF Bunkhouse A Pioneer Party

Car shed/Gym – Western ChaletBefore

This car shed was lined and turned into a home gym in 2005. When RF began to grow we decided to make it into another chalet. This project is still to be completed i.e. curtains and bathroom facilities.

Car shed/Gym – Western ChaletBefore

This chalet contains a queen and single bed, breakfast bar, cafe style seating but NO toilet at this point – This is what I would like the AMP scholarship money to go towards!

The backyard

BEFORE AFTER

The meat safe turns into a chook house!

Even the farm sheds got a makeover!

The pool

Rewards Trip for 100 Wanganui Girls College students – November 2009

I did 10 FREE day trips to RF with students from my school. Many of them had never been on a farm before and some described it as “ the best day – we love you miss”. Each student went on a farm tour, rode a horse, visited and feed all of the animals, had a treasure hunt and just generally had FUN for the day!

School groups to visit so far...

60 Japanese exchange students visited for the day in March

ABOVE: The girls meet the chooks ABOVE: shearing demonstration

BELOW: Our largest group to RF so far! BELOW: Cooling off at the RF pool

Wanganui Girls College Year 12 Sport & Recreation Tennis Camp - April 2010

ABOVE: Farm walk/horse ride ABOVE: Winner of the tennisBELOW: Marshmallow time! BELOW: Solving a puzzle with no eyes!

A Fundraiser for the local tennis club – March 2010

The RF Fete included 20 quality stalls (children's & adults clothing, arts, edible goodies, crafts ) live music, gourmet BBQ and High tea. All funds raised went to the Tennis Club – a total of $4200!

With all of these guests coming new RF family members began to grow!

What guests say about RF

“Thanks a whole bunch for welcoming me and Wanganui girls crew to come and explore your beautiful farmstay. This experience was awesome, Thanks” - Eden Ratapu-Wanoa

“One of our best stays in New Zealand” - Jimit & Rati

“What an awesome place, it’s soooo cool Thank you for your kindness xoxo “ – Georgia Gibson

“We have had an AMAZING two day camp. This is such a cool place, we all had so much fun” – Year 12 Sport and Recreation class

How an AMP Scholarship would help so much!

If I was successful in my application I would use the money to provide students with a more pleasant experience in relation to toilet facilities. At the moment students use the RF homestead bathroom or Eastern Chalet Bathroom. This is because the RF Bunkhouse and Western Chalet has no running water or toilet and this point. An AMP scholarship would allow these areas to be completed.

If the project was completed I would be able to host more students without the stretch of basic resources i.e. toilets. While we can sleep 22 people – it would be great for school camps and day trips to take place with ease. My dream of alternative education is close, a scholarship would truly make it a reality!

Summary of the RF story

I have sorted the last three generations belongings, stripped wall paper, moved timber and iron, sanded, painted, water blasted and made paddock into garden – ALL WHILE WORKING FULL TIME TOO!

An AMP scholarship would help me finish this project! Thank you for taking the time to learn about my story and for considering my application.

An overall glance!

BEFOREWhen we moved to “Tyrone”

August 2005

AFTERAt last! What a feeling of relief!

BUT.....Watch out for this logo in the future!

We aim to produced RF meat, preserves and other products in the future!

That's all from me for now.....