Berry king calls an end to sweet life
THE man behind the iconic Shaylee Strawberry Farm is moving on from the strawberry growing business.
Bob Sheehy is bowing out, after 35 years, on a wave of public goodwill that helped the Tablelands business to keep busy during a difficult period.
“People came in and supported us and we got a good result from it,” Mr Sheehy said.
“It is much appreciated what the public did.”
Mr Sheehy said there was something special about picking your own strawberries. “It’s a nice feeling,” he said. “We have been here for such a long time and if you were a little kid 35 years ago you came and picked your own and now you bring your kids here.”
Mr Sheehy said the contamination scare was not a factor in his decision and it was simply time for a change.
“I’m 72 now, so I think it’s time to finish up,” he said. “I have a lot of good memories.
“It has been more of a lifestyle and has usually been hard yakka but the people who have taken over are a well established family up here.”
Mr Sheehy said the new owners are Joe and Alice Barletta.
He said the strawberry season was almost over and despite the contamination saga it turned out to a “reasonably good year” at the Shaylee farm.
“(But) it caused some chaos for a while and has hurt the industry a lot,” he said.
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