Susan & Annie.


A COUPLE COMMITTED TO A DREAM

As the custodians of Babbington Park, Annie and Susan aspire to tread as gently as possible on the earth around them.

A resident of the area for over thirty years, Annie has a passion for the region, it’s terroir, its climate, it’s community. Annie is a much loved chef in the area, championing locally grown, ethically raised produce for decades. At Babbington Park, she grows all the fruit and vegetables that she uses in her cooking at her near by restaurant, du Fermier.

Susan has returned to her country roots at Babbington Park, via a career in the creative arts arena. Her eye for detail and styling, her naturally welcoming ways and her love of the beautiful are at the heart of the style and ambience found at Babbington Park.

Together they make a formidable team, they laugh, they cry and offer hospitality with a generosity rarely seen.

Babbington Park, Lyonville. Victoria


Annie Smithers

Chef, Farmer, Writer

Susan Thompson

Mother, Farmer, Events

Walking Gently on the Earth | A Portrait of Annie Smithers.

“There was an old saying that you could feed a family on an acre of land […]”

Walking Gently on the Earth tells the story of Annie Smithers; a chef based in Lyonville, Australia whose life is dedicated to having a positive impact on the environment by treading as lightly as possible on the ground beneath her feet.

Directed, shot and edited by Guido Pezz.