The History of
HAZELWOOD
The Story of “Hazelwood” Farm: A Dream fuelled by the Power of Nature.
In the heart of the lush hills of Eumundi, stands Hazelwood, a farm that embodies a dream come true. This dream belonged to a man who in a previous life was a lawyer in Switzerland, a legal expert serving his family’s real estate business. However, deep inside, another calling had been growing — a dream that had always been there: to escape the world of business and connect with the land, nature and a simpler, more authentic way of life.
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In 1996, he made the life-changing decision to leave everything, including the Swiss winters, behind. He abandoned the courtroom and the high-stakes business negotiations to settle in the peaceful hills of Eumundi, Australia. There, he purchased “Hazelwood,” a vast piece of land where he could finally flourish as a hobby-farmer. It wasn’t just a career change, but a radical life transformation. The passionate farmer, who dreamed of raising cattle in a bio-friendly environment, in harmony with the land.
​At first, it wasn’t easy. He had to learn everything from scratch such as managing livestock and understanding the complex relationship with the animals. But he had a unique gift for connecting with cattle. He would call out “Come on, boys,” a joyful, familiar cry to gather and count them and surprisingly, the cows responded by following him like loyal dogs. The idea of raising animals, tending to the land and living in harmony with nature, became a powerful vision for him. Every year new calves were born and the cattle were some of the best on the market as an environmentally friendly, organic product. He raised them in a free-range, organic way, allowing them to graze naturally, roam the pastures, and live as healthy and stress-free lives as possible. Hazelwood transformed into a true haven of peace and prosperity, not only for the family but also for the cattle and the fields that he cherished. This land was also a residence for Australian Wildlife such as: Koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, Dingoes, possums, rabbits, snakes, iguanas and many tropical Australian birds and their beautiful sounds, making life an adventure every single day.
From Dream to Reality: The Birth of the Vision for Hazelwood.
After thirty years of hard work and simple joy at Hazelwood, he came to a turning point. The farm, once just a piece of land he bought with big dreams in mind, had become much more than a workplace. Hazelwood was no longer just property. It had become a place full of emotions, a sanctuary of peace and harmony with nature, where he had not only learned to raise cattle and cultivate the land, but also rediscovered himself and found his balance.
With time, he realised that he could no longer keep this place just for himself. Hazelwood had become a true source of inspiration, a symbol of what he had created: a simpler life, more in tune with nature, but also richer in human connections. He began to imagine a project that would allow others to experience the same feelings. The idea blossomed in his mind: why not offer others the chance to live the energy of Hazelwood, to reconnect with the land, while preserving its delicate balance?
After long reflection and discussions with his family, he decided to create a subdivision, not just to sell land, but to offer people the opportunity to come to Hazelwood and live in harmony with nature. He wanted to create a space where families could immerse themselves in the energy of the land and experience the same freedom and peace he had enjoyed over the years.
This project would not be like any other. He was determined to ensure that each parcel of land was designed with respect for the environment, offering families the opportunity to cultivate their own garden, raise a few animals, grow their own food and live according to the rhythm of the seasons. This wasn’t just a real estate development but a way to share a philosophy of life, and share in the spirit of Hazelwood.
He knew it wouldn’t be easy, that the modern world wasn’t always receptive to such projects, but he believed deeply that this energy, this connection with nature, was something others could also feel and appreciate. Hazelwood was not just a farm, not just a piece of land, it was a legacy, an inspiration that he wanted to pass on to future generations. He hoped that his dream, born over thirty years ago, would not only change his own life but also the lives of others.
His journey from a Swiss lawyer to a visionary farmer, wasn’t only about changing his own life. It was about inspiring others to think differently about how they lived and interacted with the land and each other, harmoniously.
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The property is being subdivided into twenty-four lots each of which will be from 1.5 to 12 acres. The decision to sell the property has been a difficult and emotional one for him and of course, me as his wife, also.
Hazelwood has never been just a farm for either of us, but for Mario, it was a dream to live in balance with the earth and we have both lived the soul of Hazelwood.
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