B & J Dunn,
Rural Property, Baringhup, Victoria


ABN: 71 835 705 506
Brian and Jean Dunn's 106 hectare property is located between Baringhup and Maldon in Central Victoria. Primarily Granite loam, fat lambs and fine merino wool alternate with opportune cropping.

Purchased in 1998, the property is under long term lease.
(Above) Looking South from the timbered block, September 2005
CONSERVATION

Approximately 8% of the property is remnant Grey Box Eucalypt with a patch of Native Pine. This has been fenced off as part of a program of the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment.

There are good stands of Red Gums along creek beds  on the property.

A feature of the property is Stoney Creek that runs North-South. A site of significant erosian, much of the waterway has been fenced off, again as part of a Victorian State Government initiative.

At its deepest point it would not be possible to hide a double decker bus, but only just not possible!

Prior to the fencing works, grazing by sheep resulted in no natural regrowth of trees except where individual seedlings were fenced off.

The gullies are a rich source of bird life, especially for bee eaters who tunnel literally in their millions along the gully walls. Grey kangaroos are also plentiful while the occasional goat and rabbit have been sighted.
Click for more photos of conservation works
Looking South East from near the property's eastern dam. Sep 2005.  Click on the photo for a larger image
IMPROVEMENT

Soils in this area tend to be fundamentally acid as salts leach out of the decomposing granite.

As a result of soil testing, lime at the rate of 1 tonne per acre was applied in 1999. A program for re-application in stages is due to begin in 2004. By keeping sheep numbers modest and careful selection and rate of cropping, soil acidity has been kept at the upper end of tolerable limits.

Regular spraying for Patterson's Curse has taken place annually since 2002.  Regular control of Prickly Pear also occurs.
(Left) Works in the gully to slow erosion after heavy rain. September 2006. Click on the photo for an enlargement.
(Above) Following cropping in 2000, These two trees were fenced off prior to grazing. June 2003
An interesting historical feature is what is believed to be an old summer pantry or gold rush era butchers shop. There are the remains of a sod roof. The floor of the main building is about 0.5m below level.
The challenge in fencing off gullies is to improve on what you see here!   March 2004
(Right) If it is not one thing, it's something else!  Prickly Pear prior to spraying, Sep 2005 For further information
Brian and Jean Dunn
32 Rawson St
Deakin ACT 2600
Australia
or telephone, (02) 6166 0684
Links:
e-mail
[email protected]
The Dunns in Ankara - GALLIPOLI
The Dunns in Ankara
SIte visits
When the Dunns were in Seoul
Statewide irrigation and Rural Supplies, Bendigo, Victoria
Page updated on 20 June 2007
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