Gather around: Journey home for a festive feast in the country

CHRISTMAS IS A BUSY TIME ON CONONDALE STATION NEAR MALENY IN QUEENSLAND WITH CALVING STILL GOING ON, BUT OWNER MAREE DUNCOMBE MAKES TIME TO CELEBRATE.

For Maree Duncombe of Conondale Station, near Maleny on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the best Christmas present is the small, four-legged variety. She runs 300 Brahman cows and 200 weaners on the 930-hectare cattle property, which calve from July through until February. Inevitably, a handful of snowy Charbray calves are born on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day itself.

“They tend to get named either Chrissy or Evie — I have had quite a few of them over the years!” says Maree, 38. “My absolute favourite thing is witnessing a calf being born. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing those first few minutes of connection and love shared between a Brahman mother and her baby, it is just so natural. No matter how many times I see it, I still get teary.”

Her love of cattle, and Brahmans in particular, developed early, as she helped her parents Peter and Nora on the property she now runs. “There is something about a Brahman that makes them so special. They are very clever but also very sensitive. They have a tendency to become upset very easily, but if you respect them, they will respect you and be your best mate for life,” she says.

“I have always been surrounded by cattle and they are absolutely my everything. They are my best friends, my family, my passion and my income, and they have given me so much happiness and fulfilment with life. I feel that the special connection I have with my cows is we are in this life together and we are a team,” Maree says. She now offers guesthouse accommodation at Conondale Station so others can experience the joys of life on the property.

At Christmas, Maree draws inspiration from Conondale’s surroundings to create a festive display in her 80-year-old weatherboard home. “I love dressing up my house with pretty decorations, beautiful lights and lots of natural foliage,” she says. “Something simple yet beautiful and unique.”

This year, Maree plans to spend Christmas Day by the pool. “Christmas time is always very warm and humid in Conondale, so hopefully by then there is lots of green grass around. Not only for me, but everywhere in Australia where people are desperate for rain. The top of my Christmas wish list is rain and happy farmers.”

For more information visit conondalestation.com.au or follow Maree @conondalestation and @maree_duncombe

Inevitably, a handful of snowy Charbray calves are born on Christmas Eve…

KARA ROSENLUND’S ORANGE GARLAND

“Dehydrated oranges make a beautiful golden garland that is very simple to make and plastic free,” says Kara.

oranges (or other citrus), sliced in to 5mm rounds twine, yarn or string yarn needle

Preheat oven to 250˚C and line a baking tray with baking paper. Dry orange slices with paper towel then arrange on prepared tray. Cook, turning regularly, for 3 hours or until dehydrated. Remove, place on cooling racks and then stand in a warm place until completely dry, 2–3 days.

To assemble garland, use twine to string orange rounds together. Stitch through the flesh, running the needle into and behind the slice, then back through the front. Repeat until all slices are used. Knot ends to secure oranges, then tie off in a loop for hanging.

“The top of my Christmas wish list is rain and happy farmers.”

Maree Duncombe in a paddock on her 930-hectare cattle property. FACING PAGE Inquisitive Brahman cows and calves at Conondale Station.

Photographer Kara Rosenlund’s Land Rover is stacked with gifts. The Christmas tree from Real Christmas Trees is decorated with ornaments from Paper Boat Press. For stockist details, see page 138.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Some of Maree’s herd in the Shed Paddock; gingerbread stars from Jocelyn’s Provisions; Maree’s family moved to Conondale Station in 1995; she runs 300 Brahman cows and 200 weaners; the 80-year-old Queenslander; Maree checks the cows; the star ornaments are from Paper Boat Press. For stockist details, see page 138.

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Mince pies and ginger trees from Jocelyn’s Provisions under the tree; Maree is expecting some calves to born on Christmas Day; dehydrated oranges make delicious garnishes for drinks and can also be used to decorate the table; cattle heading to the dam; “My absolute favourite thing is witnessing a calf being born,” says Maree; the house on Conondale Station. FACING PAGE The Real Christmas Tree is decorated with an orange garland and ornaments from Paper Boat Press. The wreath is from Hacienda Flowers. For stockist details, see page 138.