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Erwin and Stacey's success story

LIKE any young man leaving home for the first time, Legendairy farmer Erwin Reesink had his doubts about what he was doing. Leaving his mother and brother behind in Holland to start a new life in Australia was a huge step for an 18 year-old, but one that has paid dividends.

Just four years since making his big move, Erwin is running a South Gippsland dairy farm with his new wife Stacey, who herself arrived in South Gippsland via South Africa and New Zealand.

The couple share-farm on Len McRae’s Wattlebank property near Wonthaggi where they milk 250 cows on 100 hectares.

At just 22 and 20 years-old respectively, Erwin and Stacey have far more responsibility than most young people their age, but say the dairy lifestyle offers them opportunities that few others enjoy.

“Being your own boss is good and I love the animals,” Erwin said.

“It’s a pretty busy life with weekends as well, but if we get our work done we can have a quiet day or head off to the beach.”

For Stacey, having the opportunity to be on-farm with Erwin makes dairy life more appealing than most careers.

“It’s probably what I like about it the most. We get to spend time with each other,” she said.

Erwin wasn’t completely alone before meeting Stacey. His father Johan emigrated at the same time, along with Johan’s partner and their three children.

– See more at: http://www.legendairy.com.au/dairy-farming/our-people/meet-our-people-new#Erwin-Stacey-VIC

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