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8 | OUR STORY: OSTER

Jake and Hannah Oster with the next generation, newborn Eddie.

Jake and Charlie took on a windrowing side business to help diversify the family operation.

family living and working together, it has been a “It was an opportunity to step away from the
challenge over the years,” she said. home farm,” he said.
But a big step to engage an independent The property has been in the family for about
person to chair their quarterly business meetings 25 years and the Osters took it on about five
changed the course for the family. years ago.
“All of the family are invited, nobody is higher Charlie said at this stage, it was still a hobby
than another. So, we all get the opportunity farm but its purpose was not about its size.
to be heard. It was not easy at first to discuss “It is a good opportunity to get some space
some issues but the reward at the end was and be in nature,” he said.
worthwhile,” Julie said. “Walking around the cattle with big trees and
“We all leave feeling a team and closer green grass is a nice difference to the burning of
together. diesel and chemical usage.”
"Having an agenda gives us a chance to bring Charlie has a few off-farm interests, including
up issues, business or personal.” flying planes but is happy to just wait and see
where the 120 Angus breeders can head in the
Rural life basis for a grounded future future.
Their sisters, Zoe and Ellie, have taken their
Good role models and a ‘have a crack’
attitude has cemented a rural future for the four own unique paths but growing up on the farm,
still had a profound impact.
Oster siblings. Zoe is a psychology graduate and lives in
When Jake and Charlie took hold of a new London, and hopes to begin a graduate position
business venture after the opportunity arrived next year.
in 2016 to purchase a windrower, the brothers “It has always been a dream of mine,” she said.
began to find their feet independently from the Though the path Zoe took led her away from
main family business. the farm, her interest in agriculture has not
“That was the start for us. We have learned a wavered.
lot of lessons running the contract windrowing “I maintain a great interest and love for the
business. Sometimes, we would work 200 land and agricultural sector. One day I hope to
kilometres in either direction from home,” Jake be able to work in an area that allows me to
said. combine this with psychology,” she said.
“Managing the workload and clients, as well Zoe hoped to pursue a focus on rural mental
as operating hay and harvest work on the farm, health, too.
has been a bit of a juggling act but extremely “I feel very lucky to have been able to grow up
valuable experience.” on a farm and all of the opportunities this has
After recently marrying Hannah and provided, especially the time spent with family,”
welcoming newborn Eddie into the world, Jake she said.
soon learned, saying yes to one thing meant Her sister Ellie is a boarder at Westminster
saying no to something else. and has maintained a strong connection to
“That’s one of the biggest lessons I have agriculture through her studies.
taken out of it - how valuable our time actually It has provided Ellie with a lot of opportunities,
is,” he said. including participation in the SA Sheep Expo, SA
Role models along the way had enriched the Heifer Expo and Royal Adelaide Show.
siblings’ lives and provided opportunities to “It is a wonderful opportunity to meet like-
flourish. minded people, who enjoy the industry as much
“It gave us space to work hard, learn new as I do,” she said.
things and enjoy the rewards, and the good “Attending these events, I have been really
times which come at the end of it all,” Jake inspired by other women who have not only
said. won, but also now created their own studs, and
“We see each other as equals, we share the this is a goal I hope to achieve in the future.”
same passion for what we do. I think it makes Ellie will finish high school this year and plans to
us work well as a team.” take a gap year and stick to agriculture.
The family farm continues to grow, with the “It is a big passion of mine,” she said.
operation cropping about 1500 hectares. “I have a strong connection to the farm and I
In recent years, Charlie’s interest in livestock love to watch and work together with my dad
Ellie Oster boards at Westminster in Adelaide and production had him take control of the and brothers.
has attended the SA Heifer Expo many times. management of the family’s Adelaide Hills “It means we can be together, watching the
Picture supplied property, where they run Angus cattle. seasons from start to end.”