Erle Levey
Fancy a wholesome seafood chowder made from local ingredients?
Dave and Michelle Agnew are opening up their redclaw crayfish farm at Wolvi to host tours and provide a delightful lunch as part of a fundraising drive for Kidzfix – a charity for children suffering from sickness or disadvantage.
The event to be held over the Saturday and Sunday, 10-11 August, will be part of the annual Cooloola Farm Trail.
While it is a signature event, it will not be full-day open farm gate like the other properties on the trail.
There are 10 other farms participating in the two-day, self-drive tour event between Kin Kin and Goomboorian.
Michelle and Dave have been rally drivers over many years, starting with Camp Quality but have since switched to Kidzfix.
The Torana was bought in 2008 to do rally drives in.
It is in the classic Marlborough colours of the .05 racing team made famous by Peter Brock.
An ex-rally car, it has been decked out in the classic .05 livery.
“We started rallying the next year and I’ve added to it and upgraded it to the classic 75-76 colours,’’ Dave said.
“Michelle had a different car and did the first year in a Holden Kingswood then a Mercedes-Benz – that was about an 82 model.’’
Dave came in with a co-driver for a couple of years then he and Michelle have been in the car ever since 2011.
“It’s amazing what you learn when you talk to people and listen to their stories,’’ Michelle said.
Dave’s family had a clothing factory originally and Michelle has made a career in real estate in the Gympie region.
They created the redclaw farm at Wolvi and market the product fresh on a cooperative basis with fellow aquatic farmers in the region.
“We started with Kidzix 11 years ago,’’ Michelle said, “in order to purchase things rather than hand over a cheque.
“One of the first big projects was to build a playground at Broken Hill.
“Then we bought a neonatal ambulance for Shoalhaven, on the south coast of New South Wales.
“At Gympie, we have put a $13,000 bed in the children’s ward of the hospital.
“We’re doing a lot of smaller projects. It’s for sick and disadvantage children.
“We’re buying things like bikes for children that need that little bit extra. I’d like people to go on the web site and look at the process.
“Things can have a big impact on a family or a child.’’
Dave and Michelle will be heading back to Broken Hill this year on the rally, leaving on 6 September.
“We start at Parkes in the central west of New South Wales, go to Broken Hill and finish in the Riverina,’’ Dave said.
“We don’t really know where we’re going until we get the rally map. It’s not on the highways but through a lot of forestry and private properties.
“We have a good time with the people we associate on the rallies, with the adventure the challenge and the issues we have to overcome.
“You are relying on teamwork, personal skills and ingenuity.
“We see places you wouldn’t see if you were just travelling. The other benefit is you are on the inside of a community and these people are sharing their homes with you.’’
Dave and Michelle will be travelling in convoy with another couple – Brett and Suzanne Thompson.
Both will be driving Holdens and known as Team Hold-On.
Michelle grew up driving, having learnt on a farm.
“The race director is a former rally driver so he’s put us on some interesting roads,’’ she said.
“It’s the enjoyment of driving, the challenge the unexpected, a celebration of having raise the money and get together as a team, then catch up with each other and have a good time.’’
SEAFOOD LUNCH AND FARM TOUR
The seafood lunch at Dave and Michelle Agnew’s farm will see a crossover of two groups.
The groups will be of 15 and be on site for two hours.
The first one will start at 10.30am as a tour and both groups will have lunch together at 11.30, then the second group will go on the tour.
“We will be having chowder,’’ Michelle said, “home-made with a crusty loaf.
“Second course is to be smoked crayfish and that will come with side salad.
“The funds will go straight to Kidsfix and it’s limited to 30 guests a day.
“The secret to the chowder is in creating the stock with crayfish heads and then including some vegetables to thicken it.
“Our participation on the farm trail has always been from a fundraising perspective on a charity basis.
“We used to do yabby races and have smoked crayfish on site.
“This is to raise the money we need to be an entry in the rally.
“Another fundraising idea will be a tour of a regional winery and craft breweries.’’
It’s a first for an on-farm experience at their property because previously they used to set up at Cooloola Berries.
Dave said the idea of smoked crayfish was simply a question of “why not?’’
“They are fantastic. They are cooked in the shell so that the juices are kept in and come with the smoky flavour … and they are easy to peel.
“It’s a reminder of what people used to do back in the day – just throw them on the coals of a fire.
“This is good, wholesome food. And it gives the farm experience to see what’s involved in bringing fresh food to the market.’’
Farm visitors should come with enclosed footwear and dressed according to the weather.
REDCLAW FARMING
Having spent his early working life on grazing properties and in the family clothing company, Dave took the life-changing step to redclaw crayfish farming 15 years ago.
While it is more demanding than he expected, the rewards of seeing these exotic crustaceans grow and mature is one of constant amazement.
“I enjoy handling them, seeing them come to maturity,’’ he said, while we were overlooking the 30-acre property.
“I’m constantly managing the ponds, watching the growth cycles of the crayfish and seeing how we can improve our methods.
“I’ve always been a mad-keen fisherman and became interested in aquaculture.
“We looked at fish farming to start with but settled on the redclaw after we spoke to people.
“They are not as finnicky as fish. You can lose fish all in one hit if something goes wrong.
“Redclaw are more robust. You can still lose some over time due to water supply, especially when you have eight months without rain. Birds and water rats are also a problem.’’
Redclaw crayfish are native to Northern Australia, and take three to 12 months to mature.
Their body is usually blue-green and the adult male has a distinct soft red patch on the outer margin of the claws.
Females carry eggs under their tails and the young craylings hang onto them for a week or so until they can fend for themselves.
They are harvested by draining the aquaculture ponds.
The crayfish march up a wet ramp – much like salmon swim up a stream – into what is called a flow trap, filled with water.
Feeding generally takes place in late afternoons because they tend to be more active then.
Harvesting can take place of a morning and night.
Generally, the crayfish go to buyers in Brisbane who on-sell to Victoria as well as Sydney.
People can donate to Kidzfix by clicking on the web page: www.kidzfix.com.au/
FARM TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL PRODUCE
The Cooloola Farm Trail returns this August, offering a unique self-guided journey through some of the region’s most dedicated and passionate farms and producers.
The two-day, self-drive tour event on Saturday and Sunday, August 10-11, is immersive experience that will highlight the rich agricultural diversity and sustainable practices that define the Cooloola region.
A variety of local farms will open their gates and share their knowledge about their farming practices and how they are helping the region grow its reputation as major food producers.
Farms and producers will be open from 9am-4pm.
Participating Farms and Producers:
*Purity Essential Oils, Tagigan Rd, Goomboorian: Explore the aromatic world of essential oils, witnessing the intricate process of distillation and learning about the therapeutic properties of various oils.
*Fraser Grill, corner Tin Can Bay Rd and Masterson Rd, Goomboorian: Savour locally sourced ingredients transformed into delectable dishes, showcasing the culinary creativity and commitment to farm-to-table dining.
*Eastwell Farms, Moran Group Rd, Kin Kin: Delve into the world of organic farming and see firsthand how fresh produce is grown with a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
*Noosa Black Coffee, Sister Tree Creek Rd, Kin Kin: Experience the art of coffee making from bean to cup, and taste the rich, locally grown Noosa Black Coffee renowned for its distinctive flavour. –
*Beenham Valley Passions, Beenham Valley Rd, Beenaam Valley: Discover the vibrant passionfruit vines and learn about the cultivation of this sweet and tangy fruit, a staple in many local delicacies.
*Sublime Farm and Brewery, Priddy Rd, Kia Ora: Combine the best of farm and craft brewing, enjoying farm-fresh produce and unique brews in a picturesque setting.
*Lindols Macadamias, Tin Can Bay Rd, Goomboorian: Tour the macadamia orchards and sample fresh macadamia nuts, while learning about the nut’s journey from tree to table. *Kin Kin State School, Main St, Kin Kin: Witness the innovative school garden programs that educate students on the importance of agriculture and healthy eating.
*Wolvi State School, Kin Kin Rd, Wolvi: Engage with the school community’s agricultural projects and see how young minds are inspired by hands-on farming experiences.
*Rossmount Nursery and Rural Retreat, Tin Can Bay Rd, Ross Creek: Explore a diverse range of plants and enjoy the tranquil retreat, ideal for garden enthusiasts and nature lovers.
The list of participating farms and businesses promises an unforgettable experience celebrating local agriculture, sustainable farming, and community spirit.
Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a gardening aficionado, or simply curious about where your food comes from, the Cooloola Farm Trail offers something for everyone.
Please remember you will be visiting farms so come prepared, closed in shoes are a must for safety reasons, hat, sunscreen, water and if it looks like rain, bring an umbrella.
Most places will not have EFTPOS facilities either so bring cash.
If you are planning to buy some of the local produce you should consider bringing an esky to keep it cool as you continue on your travels, especially if you want to buy some of the local beef and other produce.
For many this is not just their business it is also their home, so please be respectful while visiting their property.
For more information and to plan your trail visit, please visit [Cooloola Farm Trail] www.cooloolafarmtrail.com.au
NEW ERA IN FARMING
Eastwell Farms is an emerging example of the quality of produce that can be found in the Noosa hinterland and Cooloola region.
They proudly produce gourmet mushrooms and grass-fed beef at their Kin Kin property.
In a Q&A they said changes in recent years with regard to paddock-to-plate has meant much more awareness in coastal areas of producers in the region, and a desire from the public to connect with the origins of the food they eat. However, there is still much work to be done.
The response from the public in regard to lessons learned from Covid about fresh food, grown locally, without the shortages in major supermarkets, has been a matter of understanding that shareholder value is at the core of their business. Then realising that supporting small business producers is a more reliable and conscious way of shopping.
Eastwell Farms produce is available from their website, in select grocery stores from Gympie to Sunshine Beach, at Yandina Country Markets, Kin Kin Markets and from their farmgate store.
Produce is available from the farm gate throughout the year for both mushrooms and grass-fed beef.
For this year’s farm trail Josh Smallwood from Noosa Cartel is preparing an assortment of dishes that will be available for purchase on the day for brunch/lunch.
For a producer in Gympie-Cooloola-Noosa region, the benefits are being exposed to an environmentally-conscious community that sees the value in regenerative agriculture practices. This region is the seed for the new age of conscious agriculture.
For more information on the Cooloola Farm Trail search: www.cooloolafarmtrail.com.au/
