Thank you! I lived in a small terrace with my husband and son in Sydney and worked full time in state Government. I loved my work and enjoyed our life but I really wanted more space and a less ‘busy’ life. We would spend time at local parks, in great cafes, visiting family, working and lots of time traveling in traffic.
Sahra wears Binny 'My Best Friends Wedding' $279.00.What gave you the deep breath moment to make the move & then get it started?
It was my husband Hamish who made the suggestion, he is a 5th generation farmer from the Monaro, who had gone to school and university in Sydney where I had met him. We were house hunting in Sydney, and he never really liked anything we were looking at… which frustrated me at the time! We had been together for a few years and he hadn’t shown an interest in moving back to the land but once he suggested it I could really see our life, and what it would be like (maybe I romanticised it a bit) and I was sold… we started looking and within a few months had found a beautiful property and had made an offer. It was a big leap but we were confident that if it didn’t work we would pivot… but luckily it did!
Sahra wears Binny 'My Best Friends Wedding' $279.00.No day is the same, but we do have small children so our daily rhythm is based around them and the seasons… Together we juggle a couple of farms (mostly Angus cattle) two farm adjacent businesses The Wool Shed and Le Sac (with my Mother in Law, Trisha Dixon)
My day starts with a child waking me up, and then its coffee. The morning madness of getting two kids ready for school and on to bus or childcare; breakfast, lunch boxes, hair, school uniforms, homework etc… Depending on whether Hamish is home or away at another farm we share the load, one does drop off and one does pick up. The season and farm dictates the priority, summer is busy in the gardens so I am often out there first thing even before kids are up, watering and weeding, in spring I am on hand for calf and lamb marking as its busy on the farm, winter I can tackle bigger projects on businesses as its quieter on the land, and autumn is the best for just trying to enjoy life!
Once the kids are out the door, I get to exhale I normally grab something from the garden and eggs from chook house, and make breakfast, eat in the sun and start my ‘work day’. I try to really centre myself before I dive into the day. My day is really never the same, it can include responding to emails, product design, working with the factory, marketing, gardening, helping on the farm, farm admin etc… its very diverse and lots of fun! The only day that is set is a Wednesday where I have meetings booked most of the day.
I have a quick lunch and then the afternoon pick up begins, we live rurally and so between childcare, preschool and school bus it can be a hour long trip to pick up or drop off and often I leave at 2pm.
Then its back to afternoon/ evening madness; dinner, bath, books, bed etc… kids are in bed by 7pm and my husband and I normally eat, catch up, do work, and crash out! We are in a busy but content stage of life!
Sahra wears Binny 'Jolly Pj Set' $189.00.Talk us through a long lunch experience at The Wool Shed? Who comes through the doors & any memorable or funny moments so far? (As a ex chef many moons ago, who worked in events we can hard relate!)
The wool shed is really simple, its about sharing the joy of farming and growing/ raising food. Everything starts with the gardens and season, it dictates what we share. Last month it was all about citrus and orange blossom, the menu captured the exact moment in time where the blossom scent fills the air and citrus is abundant. You really get to experience the connection between the land that grows and raises your food to enjoying it with all senses. My most memorable moment is the joy it brings and being part of peoples experiences. I have had so many memorable moments, one that comes to mind is a beautiful guest tell me that her father recently passed away and that being there, on the land reminded her of her childhood , she remembered the smell of a shearing shed and it brought her back to being on the land with her father and how incredibly special that moment was for her. The land and farms hold a special place in our hearts, and the connections I make with people at the Wool Shed are so meaningful.
Sahra wears Binny 'Jolly Pj Set' $189.00.
What are your favourite greatest hit dishes you've served, season after season?
It would have to be lamb, a slow roasted spiced lamb is something we do often and people seem to love, we change up the condiments and spices depending on the season but nothing beats a great cut of meat.
Sahra wears Binny 'Jolly Pj Set' $189.00.
In addition to The Wool Shed, you also run Le Sac. Could you tell us more about it & how it was born. What baby needs more attention at the moment?
Le Sac is a garden belt, designed to be both practical and chic. Together with my mother in law Trisha Dixon, we came up with the idea and design last year. Trisha is a fantastic gardener, author and landscape designer who has written over 12 books and she is so creative and inspirational! We love working together, its so fun!! When I moved to the country and found myself with such a big garden to maintain I found I was always losing things, I ran over my AirPods and who knows how many pruners I have somewhere in garden beds, where weren’t really anything on the market that we wanted to wear so we designed it!
The juggle is real right now, and it often feels like there is never enough hours in the day, but I think Le Sac is the business that gets the most time right now.
If budget & time was of no constraint what would be your ultimate dream event/ future look like of The Wool Shed?
Ohhh that is a very fun question! I am currently working on some amazing projects which excite me… but I think what really really excites me would be working on something with other creative women who are equally as passionate about food, farming etc…
Sahra wears Binny 'Cracker Dress' $249.00. Binny Napkins 'Baubles Napkins' set of 4, 50cm x 44cm, $99.00.
What attracted you to working with Binny, and how does this collaboration align with your vision at The Wool Shed?
I love Binny and I feel like every rural woman loves the brand too! It's the go to for a special occasion.
Binny is authentically Australian and this Christmas collection screams, summer joy! Our whole business is about brining joy to peoples lives and Binny absolutely does that!
With Christmas around the corner, could you share some of your top family tips for creating the ultimate Christmas day farm-to-table THE WOOL SHED style from flowers, table setting, menu?
My biggest tip would be about making it enjoyable for all, it needs to be relaxed and fun!
Look for the best seasonal food and make that the star. Dont make it over the top or too hard, keep it simple and chic and have fun. There is nothing worse than a stressed host, it makes everyone feel uncomfortable. Pick some flowers or foliage from your garden or locally (foraged branches for the win) light some candles, and wear something that makes you feel good. I have my eye on the striped mini dress from Binny for my Christmas Day dress.
Sahra wears Binny 'Cracker Dress' $249.00.
Obviously we all want for Christmas is a Binny Dress, a Le Sac gardening belt & a lunch voucher to the farm. What else is on your Father Christmas list?
I have a few things on my insta saved list to gently hint to my husband, this includes a yellow Binny striped shift dress, a Dyson air wrap, a fun coral and shell necklace and some FD Ryan hand forged garden tools.
What book, podcast, instagram & substack & number one thing you do to relax if you get a chance over the Christmas holidays?
It brings me so much joy having a slow day and being able to read. I have a long list of books that I cant wait to read, one I am saving for Christmas holidays is ‘Be ready when the luck happens’ by Ina Garten, what a wonderful book name and I LOVE Ina. Podcasts and audiobooks I listen to 24/7 anything from marketing, business, true crime and fiction… love love love listening and am currently listening to two books ‘Intermezzo’ by Sally Rooney and 'New Methods for Women' by Sharmadean Reid. 
What is your favourite flower to grow in each season?
That is a very hard question… I have so many!
I love cosmos, Dahlias, roses, foxgloves, Japanese anemone and queen annes lace. I love a natural, cottage garden that feels it could have been there for years.
THE WOOL SHED
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewool_shed/
Website: https://www.thewoolshednsw.com/
LE SAC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_sac__
https://shoplesac.com/
Sahra wears Binny 'My Best Friends Wedding' $279.00, 'Jolly Pj Set' $189.00 & 'Cracker Dress' $249.00. Binny Napkins 'Baubles Napkins' set of 4, 50cm x 44cm, $99.00.