Country Style Magazine – Meet Robert and Natalie Caruana – September 2024

Words by Stephanie Hope, photography by Brigid Arnott for Country Style Magazine 

HEALING PLACE

Having left their busy lives in the big smoke behind, the Caruana family have found new purpose growing olives on their Bumbaldry farm

JUST JUMP IN THE DEEP END and give it a go: that was the mentality with which Natalie and Robert Caruana approached their olive-growing venture near the NSW Central West township of Bumbaldry, and 12 years later, they are reaping the rewards. “We just wanted a big block of land to enjoy on weekends,” says Natalie of their 258-hectare mixed-use farm, Glen Donald Estate, which borders Conimbla National Park.

“We wanted to farm something and fell into olives. It then became our passion, which we managed while juggling our non-farm jobs.”
But there’s a bit more to it than that. Along with the eight hectares of olive trees planted in neat rows, the couple also run cattle, sheep, goats and alpacas, host open days and farm tours, and welcome guests to their on-site farmstay, Mulberry Cottage. They grow grain and garlic, and this year, Robert, 55 – who still balances farm life with his city job in property and retail asset management – has planted Illabo wheat.

It’s a far cry from the couple’s former “city slicker” lives – and a welcome one. Robert and Natalie were living with their three daughters, Caeleigh, Emmah and Sarah, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches when Caeleigh became terminally ill with a neurodegenerative condition. “The farm became such an important part of our lives because of Caeleigh,” says Natalie, 50. “It was our escape and refuge, where the girls could run free and Caeleigh could spend time with the farm animals that she loved so much.” They started with the olive trees, all planted by hand, with great care put into getting the soil conditions right and installing a drip irrigation system. “The first few years were all hand harvesting, a very slow process with pouches around our waist,” Natalie explains. “Over time, we’ve progressed to nets on wheels that slide under the trees, hand raking and some mechanical harvesting.” Today, they have a grove of 1852 healthy olive trees, encompassing around 15 different varieties, including jumbo kalamatas, manzanillos, frantoio, koroneiki and wagga verdale, which thrives in this region. All are grown chemical-free, with the olives pressed offsite and blended into oil, which is then bottled or packaged into pouches at Glen Donald and labelled by hand. The olive oil is sold online and stocked in local fruit shops and tourism centres, and it’s also made into soaps through The Soap Shed.

 

Natalie and Robert admit it’s been a huge learning curve peppered with challenges. “We’ve had droughts where our irrigation dam has hit rock bottom and then flooding rains, which give the trees wet feet, not to mention bogged tractors, mice eating everything in our pantry (including the coffee beans but not the gluten-free products) and our goats being eternal escape artists, but we’ve laughed as much as we’ve cried,” says: Natalie.

Supporting them every step of the way have been their long-term friends, who Natalie calls “our Farm Family” four Sydney families who were there with them from the very beginning, visiting often to get stuck in with tree planting, harvesting and lamb marking. “They love it as much as we do, and we couldn’t have done it without them,” says Natalie.  “The farm became such an important part of our lives… it was our escape and refuge.”

“I went from a beautiful house in Sydney’s Mosman to a house that’s falling apart, and I think I love it more!” says Natalie.

The Glen Donald Estate logo recognises this support. In honour of Caeleigh, who sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 18, it bears her handprint, with the five fingers representing the Caruanas and their four farm families. “It’s our way of keeping Caeleigh with us on this journey,” says Natalie.

There are future plans to add a farm shop and cellar door, launch a charity and create a friendly respite space for families of children with a terminal illness. But for now, Natalie has found new ways to keep busy – working part- time as a kindergarten teacher and sitting on several local boards. She’s happiest roaming the farm in a pair of Wellies and an Akubra, checking on the animals, surveying the progress of the vegie patch and filling olive oil orders. “The farm gave me a purpose after losing Caeleigh; something to focus on and put my energy into,” says Natalie. “The work is so real and hands-on; it’s rebuilt my soul and given me a new direction.” Visit glendonald.com.au

Farm life offered the family a space to rest and retreat; Natalie and Robert with Sarah, 22, and Emmah, 24, and their dogs, malamute Ellie and cocker spaniels Penny and Nova; Mulberry Cottage offers picturesque views from every window; olive oil soaps are made at The Soap Shed; “All of our livestock is relatively friendly, especially the goats,” says Natalie; guests at Mulberry Cottage are treated to fresh bread and Glen Donald Estate Olive Oil.

THE STYLE DIARY

Robert and his daughters, Emmah and Sarah, share a love of classic Australian brands

Robert, a farmer who also works in retail asset management, lives with wife Natalie and daughters Sarah, a paramedic, and Emmah, who is studying to be a teacher, at Glen Donald Estate, in Bumbaldry, NSW. They run cattle, goats, sheep and alpacas on the extensive property.

What do you love about living in the country?

Emmah: My favourite part of the country, when I visit my family, is the open space. I love going for long walks around our property and seeing our animals. Sarah: I love being able to see the stars and Milky Way at night. There’s no light pollution.

Robert: I love the wide open spaces, the livestock and the satisfaction of creating and growing something. I grew up in a suburban home, but always headed out to the country with my uncle and aunt, who had a hobby farm. I think that’s when the passion began.

How would you describe your style?
Emmah: Very casual and stereotypically girly. I love wearing skirts and dresses.
Sarah: My style is very comfort-core vibes, or pants and a leather jacket.
Robert: I’d like to say smart country casual.

Who are your style influences?
Emmah: Ethical and sustainable brands.
Sarah: My friends.
Robert: R.M. Williams.

What’s the best style advice you’ve ever received?

Emmah: To be yourself and only wear clothes that you feel confident in.
Sarah: Probably comfort and warmth over aesthetics.
Robert: Trim my eyebrows!

What are your wardrobe essentials?
Emmah: Summer dresses, Converse shoes, denim skirts and denim jackets. Plus, my Merry People gumboots and Akubra Cattleman’s hat.
Sarah: Leather jacket and Doc Martens, and on the farm, RB Sellars shirts, jeans and Thomas Cook boots.
Robert: I wear RB Sellars and Bisley Workwear on the farm, and R.M. Williams shirts, jeans, boots and belts. Also, my Houston Texas palm cowboy hat.

What are your favourite clothing labels?

Emmah: Seed Heritage, Merry People.
Sarah: Perfect Stranger.
Robert: R.M. Williams.

Do you have any favourite accessories?
Emmah: A necklace that my parents got made for my birthday, using my papa’s (Mum’s dad) diamonds from
a ring given to her.
Sarah: My golden hoop earrings.
Robert: An Irish tweed hat.

What helps you keep a balanced life?
Emmah: Going for long walks.
Sarah: Listening to music and reading.
Robert: I start my morning with coffee on the verandah overlooking the olive grove, then I check on the animals.

What are you reading/listening to/watching?

Emmah: I’m currently reading Powerful by Lauren Roberts, and listening to Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, James Johnston and Kaylee Bell.
Sarah: I am reading Reckless by Lauren Roberts and watching Grey’s Anatomy.
Robert: Jack Reacher audiobooks… I always listen to ’80s music and I’m currently watching the House series.

Where are your favourite local spots to eat?
All agree: The Imperial Hotel in Cowra.

Where do you shop for homewares?
Emmah: Mum loves to shop at Unearthed Homewares in Cowra and Tomolly in Carcoar, and Sydney store Home by MB, which was used to design our cottage.

What makes your region a special place to live?

Emmah: There is something nice about being part of a small community so far away from the busyness of city life. For me, the farm will continue to connect people from past, present and future, creating memories, stories and positivity to share with generations to come.
Robert: I love the landscape, the friendly service from local traders, and the willingness of old farmers to share knowledge. And Glen Donald has history – we love being part of its future history.