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26 | OUR STORY: MUMFORD

After their marriage in the 1960s, the farm was
split, allowing the brothers to forge their own
paths.
Ron and Valma began to rebuild Broughton
Park, starting from 809ha.
Stockman chases cattle, land expansion

Once Ron took on the homestead at Redhill,
he continued to expand their operation, which
included sheep, beef cattle and pigs, to enable
the same opportunities for his children.
“Dad was a stockman right from the word go
and loved his fat lambs and livestock,” Ben said.
“He was a sucker for Poll Dorsets because his
father ran Dorsets and they had a small Dorset
sheep stud back in the day.
“He traded and bred his own livestock, most
years we’d buy in stores (sheep and cattle) and
put them through the feedlot.” Ben Mumford with his ski boat, which was sold to help his and Bronwyn’s first expansion. Picture supplied
Ben said Ron was one of the first producers in
the area to set up a feedlot to produce grainfed “When they made the tennis courts he took his with the Country Fire Service.
cows. dozer and pushed the surface level for days.” Ben was also active on the Crystal Brook Show
“Around the early ‘80s, Dad would take the Ron was also an active member of the committee, as well as being a former livestock
calves that he fed grain to Gladstone Market and Crystal Brook Show Society, including a stint as chair of lobby body the SA Farmers Federation.
they were sold there and they’d go via train to president, and was awarded life membership. All the Mumfords have been involved in various
Adelaide,” he said. Ben said Ron supplied sheep for the shearing sports in one way or another including basketball,
“One day a pastoral pioneer was introduced competitions as well as running the Merino cricket, football, hockey and tennis.
to dad, through the agent at Gladstone. They section of the show for many years.
enquired how Ron got his calves to look so good, Bronwyn said the Mumfords did not have Expansion continues to new areas
this time of year. hobbies like average people.
“Dad hosted them on the farm to see how he “He (Ron) would preserve everything and took Ron kept growing the livestock side of the
ran the feedlot and they took those ideas to kick pride in his fruit garden,” Bronwyn said. business and acquiring land alongside him on the
off their feedlots in the north.” Charlie said Ron had a big fruit garden and Redhill-Merriton flats.
In 1976, he bought a 607ha block at
Life’s work an enjoyable passion loved his fruit. Wandearah to take advantage of the slightly
Ben said he grew up in the Great Depression so different climate for grazing cattle.
Ben said Ron’s favourite hobby was farming - he he knew what it was like to have nothing. In the 1980s, a soldier settler block of 526ha
lived and breathed the farm - but occasionally “He killed his own meat, he preserved his came up, which bought more opportunity.
found time to attend the local tennis club. own fruit and made his own sauce to be self- The culture of improvement was not just about
“He was a life member of the Redhill Tennis sufficient,” he said. buying land.
Club, which we have all played tennis at,” Ben In the later generations, there is still a community Ben said they were constantly looking for
said. focus, with Ben, Charlie and Lachie all involved improvements in their farming practice.

Mary, Ben and Ron Mumford at the Gepps Cross Markets in 1990.
Picture supplied

Mary Mumford at Broughton Park in 1973. Picture supplied

Ben and Sam Mumford in the cattle yards. Picture supplied Mary and Ron Mumford washing the cows for the market. Picture supplied