Tree Changers : The Hughes Family a continuing story in the Molong Express
Due to popular reader demand - the Express and homewares section - then seconds later this week continues the fascinating story of in the cafe clearing tables - then suddenly the Hughes family: Ash, Matt, Dakota and their behind the counter taking orders, out then to growing ‘family’ members on the farm where the kitchen to deliver food and beverages to the babies are being born as you read - and chooks tables. are being delivered this week. Always on the run Ash has an incredible amount For those who haven’t yet met the dynamic Ash of energy and drive that comes to the front - she is a team member at Lime & Stone in Bank from waking hours to, most likely, midnight Street - the one who seems to be in every place when the family and farm have settled down at once. for the night in their farmhouse under the bough She can be seen behind the fabulous clothing of the gum trees. UPDATE FROM ASH HUGHES Still, we’re getting the job done and Plan 'E' "We’ve been away for a week of the our B&B accommodation is going to ( d e f i n a t e l y ) , school holidays to Sydney to visit family look amazing. The three of us are so brings together and friends. We’re so glad to be out of excited and looking forward to sharing a special farm the city and back home again. We love our home and farm with others. where families our farm, the paddocks, hills, and the Setting up our lovely home and can come on out silence of the landscape. gardens is really exciting for our eight- for a picnic in Our goats have grown and now have year-old Dakota. Like me, she loves the paddocks. their own woolly coats so Dakota and wearing ‘pretty’ and loves nothing more I’m a good cook I don’t have to cover them with their than other kids visiting and showing and love putting human-made coats anymore. them around the farm, introducing together picnics We’re getting eight of our baby goats them to Billy and our other goats (all with healthy (mixed breed) ready for the animal named), our dogs, the sheep, and any foods that visitors nursery at the Molong Show. Dakota and other animals that are hanging around. can purchase (or I also decided to take two nine-monthIt’s a lovely simple life we’ve created bring their own) and enjoy time together old Angora goats. We think the kids and here for Dakota - pat Billy and our growing families visiting the animal nursery will at the property, collection of family animals. love our goats - and the goats will love with time to Plan E also brings forward our the visitors - and the attention! play, see and painting/art days where families Otherwise, it’s full steam ahead for learn about life can paint (we supply everything) painting and decorating our beautiful in a perfect local their own version of the paddocks, home to start our long-planned dream rural setting. the goats and other animals, trees of a bed and breakfast. ... and have fun. As we follow Matt and I have completed a whole lot our longIt’s a BYO picnic - or Dakota of renovations and restyling of homes planned tree and I will organise the food - for during our 10 years together - but both change here in adults and kids. of us, with Dakota (like most people Cabonne - we’re moving closer to plan If that’s not enough I’ve already we know), still manage to slip and slop C (or maybe that's now D or E!) - to started my podcast - The Reality of Life. paint in places other than the walls and provide a unique location for weddings. My life started in what I once thought ceilings. More about that later. was how other families and kids lived.
Not so. Trauma, abuse, no food in the fridge or cupboards, racism - but I was able to figure it out and I know now how others have grown up in a life with sweet nothing and humiliation. But I had drive and when I looked outside of where I lived I was able to see opportunities for a better life. I made it and my story The Reality of Life series 1-3 is now available for others to follow on Spotify. The podcast is my story and what I freely talk about is what lots of other people are too scared to talk about. I am fearless when I talk about my life and understand that to tell my story will help others."
Above and left: Ash Hughes has started a podcast about her traumatic upbringing and how she was able to turn her life around to create an ideal lifestyle. Her podcast, The Reality of Life is available on Spotify. She is also writing a book of the same name which discusses other things not necessarily on her podcast.
LEFT: A cuppa on the verandah. Ash on the verandah of her home on the outskirts of Cumnock, taking in the beauty of the landscape. ABOVE LEFT: The face of the farm, one of the pet goats has been immortalised on their farm logo . ABOVE RIGHT: Eight-year-old Dakota loves the farm and country lifestyle her parents have created for her.
MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 27 July 2023
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