Drawn Back to the Land
Ruth Crampton
I often think my connection to the land was there long before I understood it.
My family’s story runs through regional New South Wales — Gunnedah, Nundle, Tamworth — places shaped by farming, small communities, and a way of life tied closely to the land. My mother was born at Goonoo Goonoo Station, where her father managed the property, and my grandfather later ran cattle at Canns Plains near Nundle. These weren’t just family stories — they were living places, still in production today, still part of the landscape.
There’s something about growing up surrounded by that kind of history — even from a distance — that stays with you.
Although I was raised in Sydney, that connection never really left. I always knew I wanted to find my way back to the country.
Finding Direction
That instinct led me to Hawkesbury Agricultural College.
It wasn’t just about study — it was about being somewhere that reflected who I was. A place where I could immerse myself in horses, agriculture, and a community that understood the rhythm of rural life.
It was also where I met Peter.
We shared that same grounding — a belief in the value of the land and the lifestyle that comes with it. That connection shaped everything that followed, from the way we built our careers to how we chose to raise our family.
A Different Path — and a Turning Point
After graduating, my career began in the corporate world with Mars.
I worked across Albury, Bathurst and Brisbane in roles spanning food technology, research and development, and marketing. It was a fast-paced environment, and I gained valuable experience — but over time, it became clear that something was missing.
There’s a difference between building a career and building a life.
When the opportunity came to purchase our first farm in West Gippsland, we took it. That decision marked a turning point — one that brought us back to something more tangible.
Learning the Land Again
At Blue Hills, I stepped fully into farming life.
I completed a Diploma in Beef and Pasture Management and applied it directly — working with cattle, managing pasture, and learning the land season by season. It wasn’t without its challenges, but it felt grounded in a way that corporate life never had.
Farming demands patience. It teaches you to think long-term, to adapt, and to respect what you can’t control.
Those lessons have stayed with me ever since.
Choosing Bathurst
After four years in Victoria — and expecting twins — we began thinking about where we wanted to raise our family.
We were looking for more than just a place to live. We wanted a community. Strong schools. Opportunities for sport and connection. A climate that supported the kind of life we valued.
Bathurst offered all of that.
When Peter found Glanmire Hall, it felt like the right place immediately.
Built in the late 1800s, the property carries a long and layered history — once part of a vast holding that supported sheep, cattle, and even brewing and distilling. Today, it remains a working farm, and over time it has also become a place for people to gather — through gardens, events, and shared experiences.
For me, it became both a home and a way to connect more deeply with the community.
Community and Contribution
As our daughters grew up, I became increasingly involved in local life.
School communities, pony club, agricultural events — what began as volunteering gradually became something more meaningful. I found myself taking on roles that required organisation, financial oversight, and leadership.
It was through those experiences that a new direction began to take shape.
Not through a single decision — but through years of being involved, contributing, and recognising where my strengths lay.
Building Something New
That path eventually led me into finance broking.
After completing my qualifications, I established my own business here in Bathurst. Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of clients — helping them navigate property decisions, often at pivotal moments in their lives.
It’s work that relies on trust, clarity, and relationships.
In many ways, it reflects the same values that underpin rural life — consistency, integrity, and a long-term view.
Still Grounded
Through all of these changes, the land has remained a constant.
Peter and I continue to run cattle across our properties, and that connection continues to shape how we live and work. It provides balance — a reminder of where we started and what matters.
Bathurst has now been home for more than 25 years.
It’s where we’ve raised our family, built our businesses, and become part of a wider community. It’s a place that continues to evolve — growing while still holding onto its identity.
Looking Forward
Being part of Elevate Bathurst feels like a natural extension of that journey.
It’s an opportunity to contribute to the future of the region — to support thoughtful growth, strengthen community connections, and help ensure Bathurst continues to thrive.
Because places like this don’t grow by chance.
They grow through the people who invest in them — not just financially, but with time, energy, and care.
And for me, that’s what it’s always been about.
Yinaagalangbu, gibirbangbu, buraaygalangbu gawaymbanhadhu nginyalgir Wiradjurigu ngurambanggu.
Ladies, gentleman and children welcome to Wiradjuri and to country.