Gerda and Tom have lived 14 years on Terrick Farm at Barongarook. The 8ha (19.76 acre) property near Colac in Victoria’s Western District is named by combining the christian names of the Stewart’s daughter, Terri and son, Rick.

Terrick is in the leeward side of the Otways about 10 kilometres from Colac along the Colac-Lavers Hill Road. The couple have used the land for grazing cattle and for conserving native bush. Their conservation effort has preserved a one hectare tract of native vegetation that gives stock shelter and encourages native wildlife. Gerda and Tom like the simple pleasures of seeing an echidna visiting and spotting the numerous birds roosting in the extensive native tree garden they have planted.

Despite Tom’s Scottish and Gerda’s Dutch ancestry they are both patriotic Australians judging by the flag fluttering above their house.

“You wouldn’t believe what happened here one day,” Gerda said. “A kookaburra came and perched right on top of the flagpole out the front. We couldn’t believe it.”

Tom and Gerda love the tranquillity and the scenery of their Otways home. Their family bring friends to the farm to revive themselves.

“This is a perfect place for a retreat,” Gerda said.

Terrick Farm is a well established property thanks to some practical planning applied before the Stewarts bought it. Terrick was once part of a large neighbouring dairy property when a dam was constructed. The dam now on Terrick has an underground pipe running into the house garden with sprinklers available for connection. Tom and Gerda dismantled the sprinkler system although they maintained the pipeline. A pump that channels dam water into the pipe is part of the sale.

Like all country property owners, the Stewarts instituted their own bushfire precautions. Terrick Farm has a “green firebreak”. The Stewart’s western red cedar and brick three bedroom house is in about a hectare of gardens and lawns. Tom said they have not had any fires on or near their property in their 14 years.

“We don’t know if there is going to be another Ash Wednesday bushfire again but I feel quite secure here,” Gerda said.

Besides the natural and peaceful environment Tom and Gerda also enjoy their trips to Lorne and its beach environment. The drive through the Otways to Lorne’s swanky restaurants and picturesque beach takes the Stewarts about 45 minutes. Normally the couple do their shopping at Colac about 10 minutes drive away. They don’t stray too far from the farm though as they find the peaceful pace is good for them. Tom gets frustrated with his failing eyesight which is one of the main reasons the couple must sell. Tom still manages to keep everything ship-shape.

The Stewart’s have regularly fertilised their pastures. Tom is proud of the galvanised iron shed. It sits next to the house and acts as a double garage, workshop and has a drive-in drive-out area used to store wood but to also shelter machinery. Tom designed the shed with the concrete floor workshop in the centre and flanked either side by the garage and machinery storage area. The workshop has a huge workbench and a military precise tool rack and storage cupboards with power points everywhere.

The garage has a clever touch. Tom used crushed red scoria stone to soak up any oil spills and a simple rake over will hide the stain. The shed measures about 14 metres long by 4.57 metres wide and 3 metres high.

The couple’s house has 13.5 squares of living space and verandas on three sides. The house captures northerly sunshine. Rooms throughout the house, including the bedrooms, have colonial style aluminium frame picture windows.

Most of the living is done in the lounge room. This area has a big Heat Charm solid combustion heater on a raised tiled hearth. A reverse cycle airconditioner was fitted two years ago in a wall above the kitchen. The lounge room is part of an open plan design that incorporates the kitchen. In the kitchen is an all-electric oven with range hood, wood veneer cupboards and benchtop space. Domestic water comes from two rainwater tanks with a capacity of 91,000 litres.

The bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and carpet on the floors. There is slate tiles laid in the kitchen and lounge and other wet areas. The neat bathroom is compact and has a tub, separate shower recess and vanity basin. The laundry has a door on to the south facing veranda. In the lounge is a sliding door on to the north facing veranda.

“When the sun is shining, sitting out on the veranda is just lovely,” Tom said.

Included in the sale price is a Kawasaki 4-wheel all terrain vehicle and a ride-on tractor mower.