Volker (known as "Bluey") came to Australia for the first time in 1984, to visit friends in Kununurra. He instantly liked it, although with his red hair and fair skin, he had a bit of trouble with the sun. He returned to Germany, went back to Australia, bought a motorbike and together with an Australian friend he travelled around the country. It was back to Germany after that - only to leave again after a few months, this time to see the U.S.A. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluey & kids

 

 

Bluey and Kirsten started dating in between and it was decided to settle in Germany. In October 1988, their son, Julien, was born in Germany.

As Bluey was still thinking about Australia a lot, he decided to visit again before getting involved in his fathers tree nursery in Germany. This was the first time for Kirsten and Julien, then 9 months old, to visit Australia. They all loved it and decided to settle in Australia instead, but first had to return to Germany for visa reasons.

They applied for a permanent resident Visa and  finally in April 1991, after 1 1/2  years, they succeeded.They arrived in Kununurra in August 1991, where Bluey started working at Oasis Farms (growing melons) and Kirsten was packing bananas at Oasis Bananas.

In 1992 they decided that it was time to start their own business. They were able to to lease 29 hectares of land, of another Farmer and hire tractors and equipment from him.  "Bluey's Outback Farm" was created from scratch, growing mainly melons & pumpkins.

In 1994 their daughter Merlee was born, followed by another son, Jonas, in 1995.

Now, so many years later, they still wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world.

Growing on their farm has changed dramatically over the years. Starting out conventionally, Bluey changed his growing techniques and started using organic fertilisers. Things went on from there, with   24 ha of their farm now fully organic certified (NASAA). To date, certified Grapefruit (March/April), Mangos (October/November), Pumpkin and Watermelon (June/July) are being grown.  They are operating their own coolrooms and packing shed and are growing their produce bio friendly - and lots of old friends and relatives from Germany are visiting each year!