march 26 - april 1 | 2014
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circulating in wangaratta, myrtleford, bright, mt beauty, beechworth, yackandandah, rutherglen, chiltern and districts
Sharing the country By KYLIE WILSON
NEW LIFE:
Brenda Pomponio, her husband Lou and children Miranda and Jude are making the most of their new found rural lifestyle, with Brenda sharing her discoveries with the world via her 13 Acres blog. PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
WITH
JOAN
RSPCA
FILM
EVIE
NOAH
WITH
WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
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GARDENING
AFTER some 12 years surviving Melbourne’s corporate rat race and raising a family, Brenda Pomponio and her husband Lou knew it was time for a change. “We were questioning our way of life and our lifestyle,” Brenda said. “We were over our Melbourne lifestyle and wanted a challenge.” They thought back to their carefree family holidays spent in Beechworth, and discussed their desire to create a low key and sustainable lifestyle on an acreage, and took the plunge. “It was about getting back to nature,” Brenda said. Moving to the North East in spring last year, the family recently moved into their newly constructed sustainable home, built using local tradesmen, including builder Rob Humphries. The move to their dream property has also been the catalyst for Brenda to share her experiences with the world, via her blog, 13 Acres. The couple have established an olive orchard and vegetable garden, are raising four cows for future meat needs, and supplementing their food where they can from local organic suppliers. Lou has also established a local real estate business. Brenda said her family are thriving on the rural lifestyle, particularly children Jude and Miranda. “The kids are outside all the time, and sneak snacks of snow peas straight from the garden,” she said.