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Gardiners still call Ferguson Valley home

Headshot of Michael Philipps
Michael PhilippsSouth Western Times
Ken, Carol, Melanie and Ben Gardiner are proud of their family’s history at their Ferguson Valley property Mountain Spring.
Camera IconKen, Carol, Melanie and Ben Gardiner are proud of their family’s history at their Ferguson Valley property Mountain Spring. Credit: Michael Philipps / South Western Times

A Ferguson Valley family has marked 150 years of working and living on the same property with a massive celebration.

About 200 people descended on the Gardiner family’s Mountain Spring property on Sunday as part of a big reunion.

Ken Gardiner, who recently handed the property down to his son Ben, said his family had actually lived on the property for more than 150 years.

Allan and Kerry Gregory, of Toodyay.
Camera IconAllan and Kerry Gregory, of Toodyay.

“The property was taken up by Owen and Emma Gardiner before 1867 but that was when they got the title,” he said.

“In those days you basically selected the block and then when the surveyors came down you went into town and registered it.

Peter Gardiner, of Dardanup, Lesley Gibbs, of Ferguson Valley, and Kim Gardiner, of Bridgetown.
Camera IconPeter Gardiner, of Dardanup, Lesley Gibbs, of Ferguson Valley, and Kim Gardiner, of Bridgetown.
Peter Gardiner, of Dardanup, Lesley Gibbs, of Ferguson Valley, and Kim Gardiner, of Bridgetown.
Camera IconPeter Gardiner, of Dardanup, Lesley Gibbs, of Ferguson Valley, and Kim Gardiner, of Bridgetown.

Mr Gardiner said farming practices had changed a lot since 1867.

“In those days they lived off the land, they ran pigs, had orchards, chickens and sheep,” he said.

“They pretty much lived off what they could make on their property.

“It’s not easy country to work, obviously it is more suited to grazing as it is quite steep and hilly.”

Peter and Rhonda Carter, of Orelia.
Camera IconPeter and Rhonda Carter, of Orelia.

Mr Gardiner said the celebration was an excuse to reunite with family members that had moved away.

“We really wanted a chance to celebrate with all the descendants of that one couple,” he said.

“It is great to see so many come here and show some interest.”

Mr Gardiner was tongue-in-cheek when asked how the family had managed to maintain the property across multiple generations.

Vicki De Landgrafft, of Lake King, and Andrew Benskin, of Wembley.
Camera IconVicki De Landgrafft, of Lake King, and Andrew Benskin, of Wembley.
Terry and Carmel Gardiner, and Chris Jones, all of Perth.
Camera IconTerry and Carmel Gardiner, and Chris Jones, all of Perth.
Vicki De Landgrafft, of Lake King, and Andrew Benskin, of Wembley.
Camera IconVicki De Landgrafft, of Lake King, and Andrew Benskin, of Wembley.
Terry and Carmel Gardiner, and Chris Jones, all of Perth.
Camera IconTerry and Carmel Gardiner, and Chris Jones, all of Perth.
Chris Gardiner, of Bridgetown, and Beverly Gardiner, of Bunbury.
Camera IconChris Gardiner, of Bridgetown, and Beverly Gardiner, of Bunbury.
Terry and Carmel Gardiner, and Chris Jones, all of Perth.
Camera IconTerry and Carmel Gardiner, and Chris Jones, all of Perth.
Ken and Carol Gardiner, of Ferguson Valley.
Camera IconKen and Carol Gardiner, of Ferguson Valley.
Lyndie and Greg Gibbs, of Ferguson Valley.
Camera IconLyndie and Greg Gibbs, of Ferguson Valley.
Don Richardson, of Meckering, and Michelle Fowler, of Donnybrook.
Camera IconDon Richardson, of Meckering, and Michelle Fowler, of Donnybrook.
Chris Gardiner, of Bridgetown, and Beverly Gardiner, of Bunbury.
Camera IconChris Gardiner, of Bridgetown, and Beverly Gardiner, of Bunbury.

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