Did you know?
The Ronan family farm is located next to the large Wombat State Forest.
The Wombat State Forest has eucalyptus trees, also known as gum trees.
The Wombat State Forest has a variety of wild-life, including wombats, koala bears, kangaroos and echidnas.
Farmer Joe and Friends stories have been inspired by, and are an adaptation of, the life of the Ronan family that farm in Springbank in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia.
Patrick Ronan and his family moved to Australia from Kilkenny, Ireland in 1901. They first
settled at Warrenheip near Ballarat and in 1911 purchased a farm at Springbank where their main crop was potatoes with beef
cattle and mixed farming (wheat, barley and oats).
The Ronan’s have continued to farm at Springbank to this day with Patrick’s grandson John
carrying on the tradition. However potatoes are no longer grown and beef cattle with mixed farming are the main farm activities.
John and his wife Molly also operate a charming bed and breakfast which offers a taste of authentic
Australian country living, called
Country Gate Cottage.
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