15/07/2026
Vale to Glenn Fahey. Former Captain and life member of Darkes Forest RFS brigade. Mentor to many people within the brigade and our community.
To our wonderful Darkes Glenbernie Orchard community,
It is with great sadness that we share that our much loved Glenn Fahey passed away peacefully on Thursday, 9 July 2026, after a courageous battle with Grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour.
Glenn was much more than the CEO of our family orchard. He was the quiet thinker, the engineer, the farmer, the problem solver, the visionary and driving force behind so much of what makes Darkes Glenbernie what it is today. His fingerprints are everywhere throughout our orchard, our cidery, our café, our machinery sheds, our tours, and in the countless ideas he was still dreaming about right until the end.
He believed deeply in growing something from nothing, in sharing farming with others, and in helping people understand where their food comes from. He often said, “Agriculture makes life possible, but horticulture makes it worthwhile.” Think about it: the pursuit of horticulture provides us the flowers you give your mum on Mother’s Day, or the colourful and sweet flavourful fruit toppings on that special cake, its the cider for a celebratory toast with friends, it’s the base of your favourite perfume or the gorgeous vista you visit to relax within or marvel at. Horticulture makes these special moments possible and heightens our senses and feelings. Those words will continue to guide us.
As a family, we are overwhelmed by the extraordinary kindness shown by so many people over the past seven months. To everyone who brought meals, picked fruit, repaired machinery, delivered products, donated to fundraisers, sent care packages, sent messages, prayed for us or simply checked in, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your generosity and kindness has carried us through the most difficult season of our lives. Every kindness shown has mattered.
One of Glenn’s greatest wishes was to gather everyone together to say thankyou in person. Sadly, he wasn’t well enough to make that happen.
His celebration of life will be held at Darkes Glenbernie Orchard, 1 August 2026, 11am - 3pm. We will publish a link to register your intent to attend. Registration will be very important for us in our planning of the day and for communication of arrangements. We can’t stress enough that if you are coming you must register for our logistics and smooth running of the day.
We promise to continue caring for this special place with the same passion, generosity and determination that Glenn poured into it every single day.
As Glenn would remind us: nothing is promised, every day is a gift, and don’t forget to hug those you love.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jo-Anne and the Fahey family ❤️
