Episode: VIC Waterwise Special ? Our Changing Climate
Presenter: Lavinia Nixon

Without a good fresh water supply we could never have developed Victoria into Australia?s thriving cultural capital and the best city in the world. The founding fathers didn?t have the conveniences we enjoy like an endless fresh water supply piped direct into our homes.

Gulf Station, a magnificent pastoral property in Australia in the Yarra Valley was founded by Agnes and William Bell in the 1850?s. They brought up 5 children and established a thriving pastoral property and did it all using rainwater, dams and of course recycling every drop of what would have been the most precious resource available to them.

To have been able to survive the bush is amazing in itself but to have been able to establish a thriving station is even more incredible. There are so many lessons we can all learn from the early settlers and adopt into our own homes and gardens that will better utilize the rainwater we get.

Capturing rainwater from the roof of buildings must have been critical back then and whether it was captured in a tank or run off into a dam it was the essential source of moisture during the long hot summer months.

Dams and streams were a great source of water for cattle and also allowed a back up supply if water supplies ran low in drought. When you think about it, survival must have been a common discussion around the dinner table and management of the limited supply was so important for the family.

Water used for washing and cleaning was quickly recycled back into fruit trees and veggies and this has to be one of the biggest opportunities we have to maximise the effective use of the water we have available.

Recycling water was recently recognized by our Prime Minister as one of the biggest opportunities to reduce water consumption in our cities and today there are grey water systems that adapt beautifully into our homes.

One thing Lavinia is always astounded by when travelling by an old farm house, is the plants that survive years after the house has turned to ruins. There are some really tough trees, shrubs and garden plants that seem to be indestructible. If you are looking for tough drought hardy species then you could learn a lot from the places like Gulf Station in Yarra Glen which is now restored and maintained by the National Trust.

Now, we have come a long way from the days of fighting drought to survive and with climate change the new challenge before us the lessons our forefathers have taught us could come in handy again. Next time you are going for a drive through the country, spare a minute to have a look at some of our more historic settlements and spare a thought for the settlers who toughed out long dry summers and built our great state.

Also next time you are looking at your garden, think about applying some good old fashioned Aussie innovation into your back yard to save some precious fresh water. Every drop counts and if we all did something tomorrow to reduce water consumption we could save a huge amount.

National Trust of Australia ? Victoria
http://www.nattrust.com.au/

Gulf Station
1029 Melba Highway
Yarra Glen 3775

(03) 9730 1286

10 am - 4 pm Wednesday to Sunday.  Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
http://www.nattrust.com.au/trust_properties/melbourne_and_surrounds/gulf_station