A passion for the land

Jan. 26, 2015, midnight

A FINANCIALLY stricken, rundown, rabbit-infested farm was Susan Campbells introduction to life in the country.

Susan Campbell at her Benalla home, which she moved to last year after having spent decades at Byawatha. Picture: JOHN RUSSELL

A FINANCIALLY stricken, rundown, rabbit-infested farm was Susan Campbells introduction to life in the country.

The Toorak-raised landscape architect could be forgiven for wishing to return to the city, but instead she accepted those challenges and her successful fightback is reflected in todays honours.

She has received an Order of Australia Medal for service to conservation and the environment.

Its a long way from 1966 when she and her husband Sandy bought a property at Byawatha, near Wangaratta.

It was rundown and rabbit-ridden, but it was the only one we could afford and it was somewhere we thought we could make a difference, Mrs Campbell said.

It wasnt making much of a profit, there was half a sheep to an acre, and it was looked down upon by the neighbours.

It had a sign on the gate saying all shooters, please come in when we bought it because of the rabbits.

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A passion for the land