Pioneering farm items go under hammer

Well-known Woodend paramedic Murray Kennedy and his wife Donna have sold their spectacular bed and breakfast and family farm “Willivy” to downsize to a normal size house block in Woodend village.

The farm was a popular venue for Japanese “farmstay” students wanting to learn about Australian farm life.

As a result of the sale, auctioneer Steve Graham has been asked to sell a vast array of classic horse drawn farm items and equipment needed to maintain such a high quality property – which will take place on site from 10am Sunday May 15 at 181 Blackmores Road, Woodend – in what promises to be one of the most interesting auctions in the district for many years.

The sale has been enhanced through the inclusion of items from Murray’s family property of 1520 hectares near Nhill – many of which have been rescued from sheds and farmhouses that have been on the property for more than 140 years.

The auction will be like a walk through Australian pioneering history, with wagon wheels, stump jump ploughs, blacksmiths equipment, early Australian lawnmowers, buck rakes, feed troughs, churns, meat safes and sunshine farm gates all going under the hammer.

Petrol (including old bowsers) and oil collectables are another attraction – along with rustic garden ornaments, Furphy tank items, tractors, trailers, wine barrels, railway memorabilia and farmhouse furniture.

The auction even has two alpacas and about 15 Dorper and Damara sheep.