Dunalley farmers diversify in order to survive life on the land
What do two Australian farmers of the year, a dairy farmer, a potato grower and an IT expert have in common?
Like many Tasmanians, Matt Dunbabin’s life has changed dramatically since the 2013 Dunalley bushfires.
Mr Dunbabin and his wife Vanessa mainly produced fine wool prior to the disaster.
Since the fires, they have had to change and diversify their product offering.
“It’s been a big journey for us over the past couple of years,” Mr Dunbabin said.
The farm, which has been in family hands since 1890, now produces wool, beef and other sheep products, wine and oysters.
Mr Dunbabin was named the 2015 Diversification Farmer of the Year, recognised for changes he has made to his business and the Dunalley region through employment of local staff.
“It’s evolved from when it was first settled; from a few sheep in the bush all those decades ago to now be quite a diverse property with a whole range of different enterprises,” he said.