Day 14: Summerland Farm near Alstonville

One of the main reasons we came to the Northern Rivers Region was to visit Barry, the partner of my dear and very close friend who died eight weeks ago. Today we had a lovely peaceful day with Barry walking through one of the last surviving rain forests in the area. We then all had a delicious lunch at Summerland Farm, one of the most successful disability enterprises in Australia.
 
In 1956 a 28-year-old, Lionel Watts, caught what he thought was the flu. In fact he had contracted polio, which eventually resulted in quadriplegia. After leaving hospital, he was turned away from countless jobs due to his disability. Lionel realised it must be happening to others too, so he decided he wanted to make a difference. He established the House with No Steps charity.
 
In the early 70s Lionel discovered an emerging opportunity in Australia - growing avocados. After surveying land in NSW, he came across a property at Alstonville that he considered ideal. In 1972, Summerland Farm was established, beginning with the first of what has grown to 2,000 avocado trees and providing employment for people with a disability.
 Summerland now employs over 100 people with a disability. We were served today in the café by some of those staff members. The food was delicious and the service was excellent.
 
Summerland Farm also has lovely gardens, a shop where you can purchase some of their products, an adventure playground and water park for children.
 
My photo shows a small section of the garden at Summerland Park.