We are a small family run Bee Farm & Dexter Stud in Glengarry Tasmania, we strive to be as self sufficient as possible by growing our own bees, honey, meat, and vegies. The farm has been run down over the years and we are attempting to build it up into a small self sustaining entity. At only just under 14 acres it will never create an income but is capable of allowing us to be self sustainable. It
is a long journey which we started at the end of 2011. we have a long way to go but teaching the kids, twin boys now 17 and daughter 25
how to be sustainable, and self reliant is very rewarding. I try to do the work required around here seasonally eg inside work in winter, outside work in summer, been working so far. Update 28/11/2017,
I Truly Hope I Can Keep This Pain At Bay,
I need just a couple more years,
To get Black Sheep Apiaries up and running for the kids,
www.facebook.com/BlackSheepApiaries
This is one of those things you do,
That you will never reap the rewards of,
Planting the metaphorical Shade Tree if you will,
With the economy's long term projection not looking so great,
Black Sheep Apiaries is a parachute for my kids future. I Pray I can get it completed before I grind to a halt,
Or at least to a point where they can take over,
This is the last thing I will be able to physically do for them. But if I can at least assist in guaranteeing them a future,
My job on this plane will be done,
Thanks again kids for being by my side. Ray, Pat & Matt,
Love you all,
~Dad~
Update 02 Dec 2017
Last week marked the beginning of a new era,
Old Girl decided that farm life,
Or at least, this farm life,
Has no place in her future,
And has decided to move on to greener pastures,
She leaves here with no animosity on either side,
And we wish her well. So..... the farm will be run solely by Ray, Matt, Pat and Myself,
As you all know,
I have had some major health issues of late,
And things have been a bit difficult around here,
The support of my most awesome kids had been fantastic,
We still have a long way to go building SHF,
Even more now as over the last 6 months,
Due to my health,
The maintenance on SHF has been lacking,
So, we have a steep climb in front of us. But the kids, as I, have never shied away from a fight,
And we are not going to start now,
We will complete this project on our own,
It will take a little longer,
And definitely be tougher,
But like me,
The kids are ready for it,
We may need to call in a few favours,
And will not be able to run our charity drive this year,
But we will overcome,
And be the better for it in the long run,
Take Care Everyone,
Stay Safe,
And Please,
Enjoy Life ( it's just too damn short not to )
~Mark~
Update 05/11/2020,
It's been a very hard few years,
But we managed to save the farm,
I fell into a deep depression abyss after Old Girl left,
But managed with the support of the kids and friends,
To beat off the depression that had been dogging me since 2015,
Took five years ( as of 01/10/2020 ) but am free and clear now. The farm was allowed to run down while I was ill,
As there were more important things to worry about,
But we are up and running better than ever now,
Matts bee business is taking off,
We are slowly turning the farm around again,
And this summer will see us moving forward in leaps and bounds,
My arthritis is still bad,
I am able to manage it to a degree. Just takes a lot longer to get things done.
30/8/2021
��� Depression is a Biarch ���
It can be so difficult to see in yourself. Let alone others noticing it in you,
I had depression for two years. Before my wife at the time, listening to others BS about me, cracked, and left. I knew there was something wrong with me,
But had no idea what it was. My wife and kids had no idea what I was going through. It was only after the wife left did I completely break, allowing for the diagnosis. But by this time I was in a fully fledged breakdown. Having basically no support, and shouldering blame from family and some so called friends, only made it worse. My kids stayed by my side,
As did a couple of friends,
( Thankyou especially to Kathleen Ryan, You were the only family member outside of my kids to do so )
I owe them everything. It took 6 years to shrug the depression off. Only becoming completely clear in the last few months. I speak about this on here openly and honestly,
In the hope of helping others in the same situation,
Or the family and friends of a sufferer. Please be aware, depression is a hidden illness,
It's not untill it becomes all consuming does it become noticeable to both the sufferer and their family / friends. Always be on the lookout, especially in this time of uncertainty. It never hurts to ask.... R U Ok ? Please Take Care of family and friends,
https://bazaar.town/depression/
update 03/10/2021
WOW, ���
We woke up to a fantastically beautiful spring day here at BSA. We are so blessed being able to save the farm. I can't help but reflect on the absolute sh*te storm of the last few years,
The friends & family lost / hurt. The kids last 4 years which should have been worry free but unfortunately weren't, my breakdown, making things even more difficult for everyone. I am so Very, Very, Proud, of the kids, they stood up and held it all together, even me. (that is something I will never forgive myself for), but I simply had no control over it, and will pay them back by making this place the dream it was originally meant to be. We are starting basically from scratch again, some of the newer infrastructure is still fine, but a lot was lost in those years due to no maintenance. (A simple drive by will attest to that)
Matt & Pat will be moving on from the farm, as both are entering the forces. So very proud of them both ! They have their futures mapped out & it's awesome, I know they both will do well. Rachel and Tim will be staying on to help rebuild, and eventually run the farm. So I must get it up and profitable asap. There are plans afoot and things for them and their future here will be fine. My health has picked up considerably since kicking the black dog into touch. I am losing weight again, and am able to move about the farm much better now, my arthritis is still the limiting factor to what I can do around here, but with Tim on board, nothing is impossible now,
Tim is as strong as an ox, and hungry to learn, so its full-ish steam ahead. Rachel and this family are damn lucky to have him as a part of it. Keep an eye on the page, things will be moving ahead steadily from now on. Mark �
Take Care Everyone,
Stay Safe,
And Please,
Enjoy Life ( it's just too damn short not to )
~Mark~
Update 11/12/2021
Life, love, and people move on, ���
We sure have. I am well and truly back from the pit,
The Black Dog is long dead and buried. My strength is returning, as is my ability to once again plan for the future. Though I have again had an increase in my pain meds, it's worth the side effects to be able to feel pride in myself once again. I am a builder and fixer of things, my heart and soul are put into everything I do. To once again be able to construct is a dream I never thought would come true. But as with everything. .. There is always a fly in the ointment...
Every now and then the pain of the treachory we were dealt, comes back to haunt. Even though its been 4 years,
The fact it came from family is what burns the most, and the ache in my heart never really left. The words " I would do the same again" are etched in my brain. Every time I see those words, it all plays out again, like an old wartime newsreel in my mind. There is no going back,
There is only moving forward. Though so much was lost,
Much more has been gained. All the kids have grown up to be awesome young adults. They have good morals, and strong family values. They believe in doing the right thing, even if it's not in their best interest. I am so Very proud of them all. And I love em to death. There are big changes coming ...
Matt has already left home to persue his career in the Air force. Pat is nearing completion of his Navy enlistment, and will no doubt be off into the world shortly. Ray and Tim will be taking over the farm. And I will be retiring once I have the property to a point where I am happy to leave it. The plan... once the borders are again open, is to explore this great country of ours by "Stealth Camping". Catching up with old friends and meeting new. But returning back to the farm every summer to assist with the animals and apiary. As with all plans, things may change,
We will have to wait and see...
The future is never guaranteed �
Have a great Christmas everyone,
Take Care,
Stay Safe,
And Please...
Enjoy Life,
It's Simply too damn short, not to. Mark � I am So Damn Proud of my kids, ���
(Bit of a ramble... sorry...) It's been nearly 5 years,
Since the sh*te hit the fan. I had been suffering undiagnosed depression for 2 years before the missus departed, ending our family unit. It was the result of this event that flung me into a fully fledged breakdown. In the ensuing 3 years while I was in the darkness, I witnessed the resilience of my children, Ray (Rachel) Pat & Matt come to the fore, I saw them change before my eyes, from young adult & teens to fully fledged, mature, Woman & Men. All three, led by Ray, pulled together and with the help of a few Good Friends, got us through to my eventual recovery last year. The strength and determination I saw in them during those tough times, leaves me with no doubt they can take on anything they wish in life. I never in a million years thought I would be hit by this horrendouse illness,
It's something you don't see coming until you are up to your eyeballs and drowning. But to have such strong young adults watching my back brought me home. Family should be there to help lift you up and support you when the chips are down. Unfortunately we were left on our own. For the kids to either sink or swim. They did not just swim but they flew �
The Backbone, Love, Resiliance, and Dedication shown by all three in their continual support for the family unit was phenomenal. I am That Damn Proud my heart could burst. I can never express it enough. I Love you guys. You simply are... The Best ! ���
Mark �
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
