Riverslea

“Riverslea” was the name first used by Alan’s great great grandfather when he settled farm land at Lilicur (near Avoca) in central Victoria in the second half of the nineteenth century.

The Riverslea Group farming properties now include;

• Riverslea Rochester – located in the area known as The Settlement. It was purchased by Alan and Sonia Martin in 1999. The Santa Gertrudis Stud is based at Rochester, along with the Lucerne hay production, and other fodder cropping. An adjoining soldier settlement farm was purchased by the couple in 2006.

• Riverslea Adelaide Lead – purchased as part of the Martin family succession plan. This is the base for the sheep operation and part of the hay and cropping enterprises.

The Santa Gertrudis Stud carries the Riverslea prefix; all the sheep are tagged Riverslea, and Alan’s wool classing brand is Riverslea.

Santa Gertrudis Cattle Stud 

The Beginnings

Alan’s family had been running commercial beef cattle at Adelaide Lead since 1985. The Santa Gertrudis cattle continued to out perform the other breeds year in and year out. With careful selection the female herd was developed using predominantly Kuloomba stud bulls. Alan then picked the best of these females, and they became the basis of a grading up herd.

Foundation stud Santa Gertrudis females have been sourced from around Australia with a focus on selection for good temperament, quality and feed efficiency. Three stud sires have been used on the home farm.

The first drop of Riverslea Santa Gertrudis stud cattle were on the ground in 2007.

They are sired by some truly great stud sires and exhibit a depth of breeding not readily available in Victoria.

 

Alan Martin

Alan's family has a long history of farming and Alan himself was born into farming. From a young age he worked on the farm alongside his father and grandfather. He left school early when his family farm was devastated by bush fires. The fires killed most of the livestock and decimated the farm infrastructure.

Alan went on to complete a farm apprenticeship, wool classing certificate (including an elite wool classing certificate), and sheep classing certificate. Alan continues to grow the farming business and is relishing the challenge of converting a commercial herd of cattle to a successful Santa Gertrudis Stud.

Alan is absolutely passionate about farming and has developed his own farms in Northern Victoria. Recently, through succession planning, Alan and Sonia have also purchased part of the family farm at Adelaide Lead.

His approach to farming (and life) is to give it 110% and do it properly.

Sonia Martin
BNSc (Hons), Dip App Sc

As a mature age student Sonia studied nursing gaining a Bachelor of Nursing Science, First Class Honours and being awarded the DM Myers University Medal. Sonia has put her nursing career and PhD studies on hold while she raises the couples 4 young sons (baby Damon, not pictured, was born on 7 September 2008) and runs Riverslea group with Alan.

Despite the family and farming commitments, Sonia remains active in the local community holding the position of Vice President on the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service Board of Management. Sonia was also involved with the Recharge community group who ran free social days and events for the drought affected local community.

Martin Family History

Alan’s great great grandfather, Francis Stimpson Chapman (1823 – 1906), selected farm land at Lilicur (near Avoca) in central Victoria in the second half of the nineteenth century.

The farm was passed on to his daughter, Hannah, and her husband, Frank Martin (1884 – 1935), on his death in 1906.

Frank’s son, Arthur Martin (1908 – 1986), purchased additional property at Adelaide Lead in 1943 and relocated the house and family to be closer to the town facilities of Maryborough. His wife, Lalie, ran the Adelaide Lead Post Office from the house from 1943 until the mid 1950s – one of the few female post mistresses at the time.

Alan’s father, Frank Martin, worked with his father on the family farm and taught his sons the skills and knowledge of farming, and also encouraged their love of the bush and the environment.

Adelaide Lead

Gold was discovered at Adelaide Lead in 1854 and at its peak there were over 5000 people living in the district. However its glory was short-lived and the area became a farming community from the mid 1860s although there are many remnants of the golden years.

The area now consists of farming land, lifestyle living blocks and the Paddy’s Ranges State Park.