Couple choose Killongbutta

Welcome to our new residents

Leigh and Sarah Thorne, who left their home at Barfold, Victoria, to manage the Cassinia holding at Killongbutta.

They bring to our community a wealth of experience with a focus on art, agriculture and land regeneration.

The couple had a choice of where to move to take up the management of one of Cassinia’s biodiversity properties and chose Killongbutta because of its natural beauty.

Sarah, a retired primar y school teacher, who taught art to her students at Barfold, is now putting together some works for sale as she establishes herself in the local arts community

The couple had a landscaping business before starting with Cassinia in 2020 Leigh studied horticulture while working in law enforcement as a lecturer in ethics, integrity and human rights before his friend, Paul Dettman, convinced him to join his company

They are still settling in with Honey, their young golden retriever, who Leigh is training to be cautious of snakes. They have lots of guests who come to stay and are adjusting to living in their rustic wattle and daub home where Sarah cooks on a fuel stove

They rationalise their move by saying they are now located in the middle of where their children live and make regular trips back to Victoria and the far north coast to visit them

Their ‘Killongbutta’ property is at the end of a long, narrow, dirt road that winds its way around the hills until the countr y opens up into a spectacular river valley

Access is dependent on the weather and its condition is based on the frequency of council roadworks. You can still see the remains of some stonework from the old bridle track which part of the road followed when it was constructed by relief workers during the depression.

The historic homestead is situated overlooking the Macquarie River that tunnels downstream through the granite rock face of the Forge. The remoteness of this property was part of its attraction for the couple

“It was like a little oasis and a real sense of arrival for us. Ever ything was green The garden, the trees, it is just beautiful. The natural beauty of the river and the light that comes off it keeps changing colour and is just captivating,” says Sarah.

“We’ve found the community here ver y open and welcoming which is a credit to the people who live here. We are part of a ver y long stor y as the histor y of this place is incredible.”

They are a couple of deep Christian faith Leigh has a non government organisation in Uganda which sponsors a school, teachers and disadvantaged children in a small, remote village.

Sarah says their faith which guides their ever yday life is important to them. “Living here makes us ver y aware about God’s creation which surrounds us. He put us here to enjoy what he has made - which shows his beautiful character.”

Pictured is Sarah in her studio painting her first body of work for sale locally