Aves Garden

Aves Garden is a small farm under development since April 2014.

It is our aim to develop a mix of gardens, pasture and a hatchery using ethical farming practices, based on permaculture and organic farming principles.

We aim to produce seasonal fruit and vegetables for our own consumption and for sharing/swapping with others in our community.

We also aim to provide cultural exchange and learning experiences for WWOOFers and travelers who would like to experience rural living in the South West region of Victoria and to share knowledge with people from other cultures and backgrounds.

Aves Garden is an original 'Soldier Settlement' property from World War II and was once the main homestead on a sheep/beef station, half way between Woolsthorpe and Caramut.

'Soldier Settlement' refers to the occupation and settlement of land throughout parts of Australia by returning discharged soldiers under schemes administered by the state governments after World Wars I and II.

Over the years, the property has been subdivided and now Aves Garden occupies approximately 8 acres in the middle of what was once a 600+ acre allotment.

We have an old orchard, which we are restoring and renewing, a large dam containing fish and yabbies, pasture and paddocks where we graze geese, sheep and alpacas and a garden which we are renewing and landscaping with the help of guests, travelers and farm-stayers.

We raise geese, chickens, ducks, turkeys, quail and guineafowl and keep alpacas as sentinels for the birds' protection. We also have two dogs, lorikeets, kakariki, budgies and an indoor rabbit.

Kerwin was born in Mauritius and is a qualified hairdresser and hairdressing teacher. He speaks Creole, French, English and some Mandarin.

Adam grew up in rural Victoria and is a community services teacher and was an international aid worker in Africa, Asia and Europe.

We preserve our own fruit and vegetables from the orchard and garden and process our own poultry for consumption on the property. Our poultry (with the exception of quail) are raised under truly free-range conditions and they have the run of the property to forage and graze.

Like the garden, the 4 bedroom house requires significant renewal and restoration and we are working on this process one room at a time, weather, time and finances permitting.

The original part of the house has been partially renovated in keeping with the era and character of the property, while the extensions (added in the 1970s) remain as original and need to be completely refurbished.

Guests stay in the original wing of the house and share bathroom and kitchen facilities with the hosts.