OUR STORY

I come from a family of creative folk - artists, builders, writers and gardeners. Growing up I spent a lot of time at a family farm in Strathbogie, an elevated area in central Victoria littered with granite boulders, rocky outcrops and ancient eucalypts. 

My greatest childhood memories are of being immersed in nature; chasing birds, building forts, open fires, finding treasure, climbing trees, relentless heat, cold water streams and ever-changing landscapes. Ever since I have found myself seeking out a greater connection to nature and the benefits and clarity gained from these experiences.

After cutting my teeth in the Melbourne design scene and running a successful landscape design and construction business with my brother for 14 years, my wife and I decided it was time for a change. 

We were craving space and the rural idyll we both had growing up. We wanted our kids to have a childhood immersed in nature, running free with mud on their boots and wind in their hair, learning new life skills. 

So we packed up, headed down the Calder and settled into our new life in Kyneton. As we settled in we found much more than just a slow pace of life. We fell in love with the area, the space and the trees, and we found a close-knit community of like-minded people.

2023 saw another move to a small property in Taradale on Djaara Country - a tiny town blanketed by bush and nestled between Kyneton and Castlemaine. 

We’re surrounded by bird life, kangaroos and box ironbark forest. We love swimming in our dam, camping out on our property and fishing in the local reservoirs. We feel like we're living our most authentic life here.

This move inspired another new beginning, Loam - a landscape design studio for regional folk.

A design studio that understands the reality of life on the land; the blistering summer sun, bone-chilling winters and heavy blankets of frost.

We’re all about smart planting and smart plans that consider elements that city dwellers don’t need to think about - bushfire risks, windbreaks, water management and so on. We create gardens that work with the environment, not against it.

We firmly believe that we are all caretakers of this land. Collectively, we all play a vital role in shaping a sustainable and resilient future. That’s why we prioritise local indigenous plant species and native gardens.

OUR GOALS

We use a diverse mix of native plants to enhance biodiversity and create resilient ecosystems. Our goal is to protect natural habitats, rehabilitate the land and promote ecological balance - all of which are crucial for the well-being of the community and the planet.   

  • Create resilient ecosystems

  • Enhance biodiversity

  • Protect natural habitats

  • Rehabilitate the land

  • Promote ecological balance

So whether you’re renovating, you’ve lived in your home for decades, you’re building a new home, or you’re new to rural living and are trying to make sense of your unique environment, we’re here to help.