After 20 years living in Upper Sturt, Stefan and Lyndel wanted their next home to be special. Once they started looking around the Adelaide Hills, they found Newenham in Mount Barker had everything they wanted.
Armed with a shopping list of wants for their new home, the couple looked toward the Adelaide Hills to build their dream home. And once they visited Newenham they had all they needed and more.
“We still wanted to live in the Adelaide Hills but not in a bush fire area, near a river would be a bonus, on a smaller block than we had, and hopefully flat,” says Lyndel.
Another big drawcard was that the couple had built a home previously at another Burke Urban development and were already impressed.
“Many years ago we built a home on the banks of the River Torrens at Paradise which was also a Burke Urban project, and Stefan was impressed with that development, so to find another Burke Urban development was great, and Newenham far exceeds our expectations,” Lyndel says.
Lyndel also has ties to the area which made a move to Mount Barker even more compelling. She had been coming to the area since she was a toddler and staying with her aunt and uncle at Undermount House in Mount Barker Springs. The shearer’s quarters is now a B&B, but Lyndel still has fond memories.
“The house was owned by the Bonython family when Uncle Jock and Auntie Jessy Fergusson managed the property for many years, then it was sold to Ditters,” Lyndel recalls. “I also have photos of me aged 2 years standing at the farmhouse gate with two of the Aboriginal shearers who were regular employees.”
Now firmly entrenched at Newenham, Stefan and Lyndel have retired to let their daughter and son-in-law run their family business.
“Out of the Cot is a children’s and baby furniture store we started in 2006, and we opened our store in Magill in 2009. We often still help out in the shop, but are looking forward to travelling more now that Covid-19 restrictions are lifting,” says Lyndel.
Lyndel has also been the Art and Craft Coordinator at Clayton Wesley Uniting Communities for three years now and enjoys every Wednesday helping refugees, underprivileged, elderly, and lonely people feel needed in the Hope’s Café community at the top end of Norwood Parade.
“It also has an Op Shop called Goodies which raises funds for many organisations, and I often have a car full of donated goods to go each Wednesday to the charity,” says Lyndel.
As is the case with many Newenham residents, the inclusive community is something that Stefan and Lyndel were drawn to. Community programs and events are a big part of Newenham and allow everyone to get to know people in their neighbourhood.
“There is a great community feel that Newenham Estate has been integral in building these bonds by holding regular events and evening gatherings,” says Lyndel. “We also love being able to share plants and excess flowers or veg and look forward to the farm progress and activities.
The couple also enjoys spending time with neighbours and participating in community projects organised by Newenham.
“We walk often, sometimes stopping at neighbours for a coffee and swapping building or garden tips,” says Lyndel.
Earlier in the year, Stefan and Lyndel were also involved with the Spotlight the Suburbs program. Its aim was to introduce the community to the abundance of nature around Newenham through a series of events and activities, including a night walk, a daytime fossick and an opportunity to purchase plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies. The program also involved a global mobile phone game called QuestaGame that allows participants to earn points, win prizes and more importantly help researchers protect our precious environment.
“We have been involved in QuestaGame, which we were introduced to at an evening by Newenham, that helps to identify fauna and flora wherever we are…and the feedback is very interesting,” says Lyndel.
The Paculas moved into their Dechellis home in October 2018 and couldn’t be happier. The house is the same size as their previous home but with a more manageable garden.
“Dechellis were great builders and so helpful. We are so happy with all aspects of our build,” Lyndel says. “The style of our home is Federation, and we have a love of recycled pieces in the garden design. The interior is slightly eclectic, and colour plays a big part in our design.”
Apart from their new home, the garden is a place of great interest and industry for Stefan and Lyndel.
“We installed a series of retainer walls to create layered garden beds which were so worth the expense, now the trees are growing and looking amazing. The numerous fruit trees and shrubs are now established after 2 years,” enthuses Lyndel. “We layered a lot of compost, we mulch constantly, the worms are happy, and even the clay soil is starting to break down! However, as with every garden, it’s still a work in progress.”
And it seems the couple are keen to make their garden a feature and talking point with their neighbours as Lyndel explains:
“We are frequent shoppers at Misty Creek Nursery, and their local knowledge is wonderful. But with our local friends in Newenham we exchange plant ideas and swap plants…it’s lovely connecting and building relationships locally. We have nearly finished our home now, and continual gardening gives us such joy.”
Another joy is having the grandchildren visit and being able to do many things with them within the Newenham surrounds. Ranging from 16 years to 2 years, the couple enjoys taking them along the walkways to the reserves and linear park. Riding bikes is safe and something they also look forward to when they come to stay.
“Two of our grandchildren go to the Waldorf school [in Mount Barker] and play soccer for Adelaide Hills teams so going to school events is so easy,” Lyndel says.
And speaking of easy, Stefan and Lyndel, both agree that Newenham is perfectly positioned and close to all the great things that make Mount Barker and the Adelaide Hills so enjoyable.
“The Mount Barker community has so many events…we are spoilt for choice. It’s within walking distance, and a big plus is that our supermarket has extended hours as we are classed as rural,” Lyndel says. “We also love visiting Grays Inn, Auchendarroch House for coffee and pizza, Cindy Butler for remedial massage, The Hutch and Freds in Aldgate for coffee, plus Nepenthe winery and the Lobethal Bakery.”
The couple also believes in supporting local markets, arts and crafts, exhibits, and local music events at Ukaria along with many of the Waldorf School events.
“We love the Saturday morning market for sourdough bread and plants and supporting local produce and businesses where possible,” says Lyndel.
Stefan recently turned 70 and had some wonderful birthday festivities planned that had to be cancelled due to Covid. The celebrations were going to be held in the Newenham Barn but unfortunately had to be cancelled. But the couple will reschedule the event in the coming months. In the meantime, Lyndel and Stefan are looking forward to many happy years living at Newenham. As Lyndel sums it up nicely:
“Living at Newenham ticks all the boxes and is the best decision we ever made.”
If you’d like to know more about joining our tight-knit community or to secure your future at Newenham, email sales@newenham.com.au or contact the Sales Team directly on 0429 107 497. Our Sales & Information Centre is located at 164 Flaxley Road, Mount Barker – check the website for open hours.
We look forward to welcoming you to Newenham soon.
