Historical information

This photograph was taken at Samaria Farm on Sunday the 5th of September as part of a day trip by the Wooragee Landcare Group. The event was about looking at land use on small farms and as a social get-together for the Group. Wooragee Landcare was also researching how small landholders could run some enterprises around the time of this trip.

Samaria Farm is located in northeast Victoria, near Mount Samaria, which is located 130 km northeast of Melbourne. Samaria Farm was owned by Sue and Due Matheson at the time of the trip and had a renowned rose garden, pigs, poultry, alpacas, and goats on their nine-hectare farm. The rose garden consists of 3000 damask roses. Samaria Farm distils the oil from these roses and is the only farm in Australia to do this. Rose oil has historically been used for religious and medical use. 20 kg of rose buds are picked by hand every day, which is then distilled and produced 5 to 8 ml of oil. The entire four-week season produces 80 to 100 ml of oil. Rose water is also created during this process and produces about 300 litres per season. Along with the oil, the Farm also harvests lemons, lime, olives, and oranges. The Farm is currently owned by Utako and Anthony since 2022, with Vicki and Allan Wight being the previous owners.

Wooragee Landcare Group was created in 1988. Its core mission is to work towards eradicating animals and pests from the land to protect the natural vegetation and promote revegetation projects.

Significance

This photograph is a great example of the type of events that Wooragee Landcare Group has organized, while educating the public about the importance of land use management. The group is important to the community and for the environment.

Physical description

Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paper

Inscriptions & markings

Reverse:
WAN NA E0NA2N2. NNN+ 2 4240/ [PRINTED]
(No. 18) / 371