NNNorthern Valley News Bindoon • Bullsbrook • Calingiri • Chittering • Gingin • Muchea • Mooliabeenie • New
Norcia • Regans Ford • Wannamal
41
2014
Pages 14-15
september
8 page Real Estate liftout
Wildflower Festival
A budding opportunity
Above: Emile Kranse with his wife Areerat and daughter Lukthan amongst a planting of unique variety of waxflower, Angelina. Tamieka Preston
Emile Kranse had just returned home to Muchea after two years managing flower warehouses in China when he noticed Australia’s largest waxflower farm, Muchea Gold was on the market. Seeing an opportunity ripe for picking he approached his long-term employer, the Lynch Group suggesting they add the wildflower plantation farm to their portfolio. The company, which operates bouquet houses world-wide and supplies flower bunches to over 3000 Australian
supermarkets, snapped up the opportunity, taking over the property from Bill and Lynne Hoffman in April this year. “We are very lucky to have taken over such a nice farm from Bill and Lynne, who have stayed on for a couple of years to give us advice,” says Emile. “We also have Ron and Vicky Quinn who have been in the Wildflower industry for 25 years as our farm managers,” he says, “So I am lucky to have a lot of experience on my side”. Emile also has a wealth of experience in flower production himself, and having
grown up in the famous Westland region of Holland perhaps floriculture was always his destiny. His first job was working in the famous Westland glasshouses which produce some of the world’s most magnificent flowers. Since then he has run his own flowergrowing business before taking on more managerial roles for Lynch Group. His passion for his product is obvious but he maintains that he sees past the prettiness. “ I see the quality of the flower, the structure, stem, shape and yield.” Emile believes Australian wildflowers are
still under-rated and hopes to see more of them in the Australian market in the future. Whilst Muchea Gold currently produces around 300 000 bunches of waxflower a year, many plants are still being established and Emile hopes to pick half a million bunches next year. His long-term plans include diversifying the varieties on the 391 acre property, extending what is now an intensive fourmonth picking season, and providing more home-grown product to Lynch group’s bouquet houses. “I am back doing something that I like the best,” says Emile, “growing things”. COUNTRY PROPERTY EXPERTS
cvcp.com.au
COUNTRY PROPERTY EXPERTS
chittering
$600,000
wannamal
$220,000
regan’s ford
$EOI
cvcp.com.au Thinking of Selling? Living and selling local
For a free confidential market appraisal
2938 Chittering Road
633 HAY FLAT ROAD
• 26.1 Ha (64.5AC) Undulating pastures and rugged granite breakaways. • Large dam holding plenty of water. • Over 100 meters of elevation, yet plenty of room to build your dream home. • Midland and Joondalup are only 1 hour away.
• This beautiful elevated property has views in almost every direction. • Includes a basic weekender, bore with diesel pump, water tanks and even a chook pen. • The land is quality granite loam country with a blend of pastures and york gum woodland.
Craig Hyne 0448 825 833
GINGIN: 9575 2566
Craig Hyne 0448 825 833
BINDOON: 9576 0626
915 Woodbine Road • 122 lush acres of wildflowers and tall timber • 800m of absolute Moore river frontage • Amazing, unique two storey house • Stunning open-plan bedrooms • Gourmet chefs kitchen and balconies Dave Evans 0422 898 777
Contact your local Bindoon & Chittering Area Specialist
Amy McAulifffe 0400 298 884