Homeground advantage Geelong star Tom Hawkins gives a tour of his family’s rural idyll

PEACEFUL RURAL VICTORIA IS A WORLD AWAY FROM THE PACK FOR AFL GEELONG FOOTBALLER TOM HAWKINS, HIS WIFE EMMA AND THEIR BROOD

they may be one of the AFL world’s star couples, but daily life on the farm for Cats dual premiership star Tom Hawkins and wife Emma is delightfully down-to-earth – albeit, on occasion, a little inconveniently! Take the time the imposing full-forward found himself attending to a cow giving birth, just before he was due to head to Geelong for a match. “Tom was out in the paddock trying to deliver the calf for an hour that morning,” reveals Emma, laughing. “It wasn’t the usual game preparation!”

Adds Tom: “I didn’t really want to share the tale with my teammates or coaches before the game, so I waited until after I’d played and we’d won. It was definitely a unique experience.”

Not that Emma and Tom would have it any other way. For the former high-school sweethearts, who share their rather perfect patch of rural paradise with their young daughters Arabella, 3, and Primrose, nearly one – as well as with Oscar John the family’s pug-cross, ponies Oliver and Poppy, a large herd of Angus cattle, several chooks and guinea fowl – there’s nothing like living among nature and its creatures great and small. “We’re both originally from rural NSW, but we didn’t realise how important being in the country was to us until recently,” says Emma. “You do feel like you are in a totally different world here, even though we are only 20 minutes from the centre of Geelong.”

Adds Tom: “There’s this silence that you get here in the early mornings and the late afternoons that I love most. And there’s so much space for the kids to play.”

Behind a white picket fence, a long gravel driveway flanked by leafy oak trees leads into the property.

With sweeping vistas of rolling green hills and sunshinehued canola fields, it’s easy to see why the 62-hectare farm stole Emma and Tom’s hearts at first sight back in 2016. Perched at the top of the driveway is the family’s sprawling white farmhouse. Recently renovated, and with expanses of glass drawing daylight and the glorious landscape into its rooms, the home wraps around an inviting kitchen and living zone decorated in pretty pastel and misty grey hues.

By introducing an enticing “mishmash” of long-cherished family pieces with more recent finds and treasured works by local artists, Emma has further brought the home to life. The effortlessly stylish abode is chic and relaxed, much like this busy mumof-two who, along with several ambassador roles, recently launched her own childrenswear label, Homegrown Kids. “Homegrown is for babies and toddlers, and is inspired by my childhood and my children,” says Emma.“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response. It’s incredible to finally see it come to life after years of planning and we’re already working on our third collection, which is very exciting. It’s all about beautiful prints and Australian fauna – it’s comfortable, non-fiddly clothing for kids to explore and have fun in.”

Indeed, it’s spending time outdoors that this welcoming family clearly loves most: there are open spaces to roam, cattle to tend to and chooks to feed. And as far as Emma and Tom are concerned, there really is nothing that could be better than that.“The ponies are in a paddock right next to the house, so every time we drive through the gates, they come up to say hi,” says Emma. “It really is a very special place to live, and one that means so much to us.”

“IT’S NOT A PRECIOUS HOUSE. IT’S JUST VERY LIVEABLE, WARM, OPEN AND FRIENDLY” ~ Emma

“WE’VE DONE BITS AND PIECES TO THE HOUSE SINCE WE’VE MOVED IN TO MAKE IT MORE SUITABLE TO US AND OUR TASTES” ~ Emma

“I LOVE RUNNING MYSELF A BATH AFTER THE KIDS HAVE GONE TO SLEEP AND JUST TAKING EVERYTHING IN”~ Emma

“WE FEEL SO BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO COME THROUGH OUR FRONT GATE AND IT JUST BE US HERE” ~ Emma

LIVING ROOM “This room holds a lot of beautiful memories and many of our special pieces,” says Emma, who enlisted the expertise of interior designer Sally Caroline when furnishing this stunning relaxation space. “It’s the first room you see as you enter our house, so it really sets the tone.” Favourite items include the blush-pink West Elm chair, the Globe West bar trolley and the cream occasional chair from Provincial Home Living – not to mention the beautiful antique piano that once belonged to Emma’s great-grandmother, above which is an original work by artist and close friend Emma Itzstein (below). “I commissioned this from Emma two years ago, when we put the piano in this room,” says Emma. “I knew there needed to be a special piece of artwork to complement it. We feel so lucky to have it.” >

KITCHEN The home’s original kitchen has been reinvented, with a new and expansive breakfast bar kitted out with a plethora of deep undercounter drawers claiming centre stage (top). “Pete Matheson, a local builder, came up with the formula for the benchtop – it’s a mix of granite and concrete and it’s amazing,” says Emma (pictured above left with husband Tom, their two daughters and one of their two ponies). “It doesn’t stain and it’s very durable.” HALLWAY A framed work by acclaimed photographer Kara Rosenlund catches the eye in the kitchen walkway (opposite), with a collection of hats on the wall also serving as a striking decoration. “I needed to fill this wall and we’re always walking past it from the kitchen to go outside,” says Emma. “Not only is it practical to grab a hat on the way out, but it’s also visually appealing.” >

BATHROOM A bath with a view (opposite), and a gloriously tranquil one at that! A floor-to-ceiling window frames the verdant landscape, rightfully allowing nature to play the starring role. “It’s so peaceful,” agrees Emma. MAIN BEDROOM In the couple’s sleep zone (top left), feminine touches, such as the Kip & Co quilted ‘Bed Of Roses’ comforter and pink bedding from Kate James Studios, are offset by a HK Living rust-coloured cushion and the predominantly neutral backdrop. PRIMROSE’S ROOM Inspired by the rural surrounds, Primrose’s room is home to a rather adorable rocking sheep by Danish designer Povl Kjer, bunny wallpaper from Poland and an eye-catching House Of Orange pendant light (above left). “Liberty Interiors helped with this room,” says Emma. “We wanted it to be gender neutral with Australian vibes.” ARABELLA’S ROOM Arabella’s pretty-as-a-picture bedroom is beautifully brought to life with a palette brimming with blush accents (above right). The icing on the cake is the floral wallpaper – an Etsy find – while the bed is by Hip Kids. >

POOL DECK Summer days are well and truly sorted at Emma and Tom’s home (top), with the sun-drenched pool deck – encased by the heavenly landscape – the place to be for the family and their regular stream of guests. “We love to entertain,” says Emma. “Summer is the best here – we’re outside all the time either going for walks or in the pool.” VEGIE PATCH Tom and Arabella check out the homegrown delights in the vegie garden (above). “Digby Alston designed our landscaping and he’s done a wonderful job,” says Emma. “It’s practical and sensible for our young family.” FAMILY LIFE Emma and Tom on the farm with their girls Arabella and Primrose (pictured opposite). “We were originally looking at another property across the road,” says Emma. “We saw this one and it was half-renovated at the time, but we fell in love with the views first and foremost.”