For some, a move to the country isn’t always for the first time. Today’s feature story introduces you to a wonderful couple whose love of country living has had them downsize from the High Country to the heart of the Kyneton village.
I first met Tom + Kim Martin not long after they moved into their buttercup cottage {which happened to be across the road from my former home}. One of the first things I recall was the appearance of a couple of wicker chairs on their front verandah; perfectly positioned to catch the afternoon’s northern sun. “Oh, these two know how to make the most of life,” I thought to myself. Not long after, came signs of lots of activity in the garden, which turned out to be Kim busily mulching and preparing her garden beds. Then, quite unexpectedly, our sleepy little street was awoken with the soulful, mellowing sound of Tom playing his saxophone. It never ceases to amaze me how many inspiring, talented + joyful folks choose to live up my way. Tom + Kim’s story goes to show that downsizing can also mean up-joying!
Enjoy! {d} x
Tell us a little bit about your background/s – what path led you to where you are now?
We both come from small country towns. Tom in Scotland and Kim in Queensland. We met in 1977 and married in 1979. Tom was in the Australian Army Band and Kim was studying law. We moved to Perth just before the birth of our second child and spent the next 15 years moving back and forth from west to east. We both had very successful professional careers and at the same time raised three kids and renovated five different houses. By the end of 1998, we’d had enough of the city life and decided that we wanted to return to the country so we left our jobs, sold our house, packed up our three kids, dog and cat and moved to a little farm in the mountains just outside Mansfield. We lived the good life on our little farm for nine years then moved into the township of Mansfield when the two oldest kids left home. We were there for four years before deciding to move to Kyneton.
You’ve recently moved from high country Mansfield to country Kyneton. Has the move been all you’d hoped it would be?
Yes, it is just what we were looking for in every aspect.
What made you choose Kyneton?
We were looking for a country town no more than 1 hour away from Melbourne because our youngest son (Tom Jr.) had just started Uni and Tom wanted to be closer to Melbourne for his professional music work. The town we chose also had to be big enough to have doctors, a hospital as well as nice cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops.
You are both ‘retirees’ Tom (Australian Army Band Corps) and Kim (Lawyer/advocate). What are your current/favourite projects + pastimes?
Kim retired from work at the beginning of this year and is enjoying working full time in her garden and is involved with the Kyneton Transition hub and runs a small book club. Although Tom retired from the Australian Army Band in 1999, he has continued to work as a freelance professional musician. He is kept quite busy with the home renovation projects and enjoys as much shooting, fishing and boating as he can do. He also enjoys playing music locally for fun including playing flute at the Albion Hotel’s monthly Irish session and a bit of jazz sax, flute and clarinet at the new Moto Bean Café monthly session in Malmsbury.
Do you consider yourselves to be ‘Countryphiles’? Do you love country life? Why?
Yes, we think we are. We first did the “Tree Change” in 1999 leaving full time employment in Perth WA and moving to Mansfield to a 25-acre property with our 3 kids aged 17, 14 and 5 years old. We loved the peace and quiet, the wide open space and that the local wildlife was all around us. That’s why we chose to move to another country town when we decided to downsize.
What aspect of country life are you loving MOST at the moment?
Spring! Everything is green, plants are flowering and the new lambs are running around.
What is the most CHALLENGING aspect of country life?
Being in Mansfield for 13 years we lived through three major bushfires including the Black Saturday fires, so bushfires are still the most challenging thing about country life for us.
Tea or coffee? Do you have a favourite country café? Where and why?
We both like a good cup of coffee and our favourite café is the Little Swallow on Piper Street because the coffee is really, really good! The staff are good too.
Where was the last great meal you enjoyed/shared in the country?
Last Sunday at a friend’s place in Kyneton. We had a great dinner of slow-cooked pulled lamb cooked in a ceramic cooker called a ‘Kamado’. It’s an egg shaped ceramic weber-type charcoal grill and the design is originally Japanese. I was really impressed. It was the first time I’d seen one of these things and the meal cooked in it was fantastic! The lamb was accompanied by lentil salad and slaw followed by a homemade crème caramel. Why would you want to go out!
Would you ENCOURAGE others to live a country life? Why/why not?
Yes, because you really feel like you are living in a community.
What ADVICE would you give those dreaming of making a TREE CHANGE? What are your Top 5 tips for moving to the country?
1. Make an effort to meet your new neighbours.
2. Join lots of groups to meet new people.
3. Become involved in community events.
4. Have conversations with people who work in the shops you visit.
5. Don’t bring “City” attitudes to the country.
What can we expect NEXT from you in the future?
1. Finish current renovation projects.
2. Keep adding to and improving the new garden.
3. More hunting (shooting), fishing and boating.
4. Continue to explore the region.
5. More professional music work.
What would be your dream project?
We’re doing the dream project!
Can you list for us 5 specific things you turn to/do when you need of a ‘dose’ of city life?
1. Lunch/dinner in Lygon Street Carlton (Kim+Tom).
2. NGV exhibitions (Kim).
3. Listen to live music (Kim+Tom).
4. Shopping (Mainly Kim, but sometimes Tom).
5. Perform music (Tom).
