We bought a 600 acre bush block south west of Jindabyne thinking we had found an amazing haven for a ski home. Little did we know what would evolve and how our lives would change for the better.

First, we converted the truly “aussie” derelict shed into a glamorous crash pad.

Idle hands … with children off my hands I went into lavender in a medium way. The initial plantation comprising 15,000 plants, twelve distinctive lavenders chosen for specific purposes and fragrance notes. We harvested only the flowering tops of the lavender which left us with vibrant lavender notes without harsh chlorophylls.

Admittedly… the next step was more of a blind leap. Inspired by a loved classic fragrance, the lavender grew friends, a treasure trove of traditional perfume flowers; tuberose, orris, osmanthus and fragrant roses from the genius David Austin.

I quickly realised the challenge for me wasn’t the growing but the distillation. Complex apparatus and new skills to distill essential oils and learn to blend them. Without the appropriate knowledge, my lack of stellar success led me to work with people who knew what they had to do.