Bloggers

Following the trail of the remarkable Susan Harvey (Part 2)

Mar 13, 2017

This is part two of a two-part special. If you haven’t read part one, you can do so here.

The Colonial Teahouse in Triabunna is Susan Harvey’s latest adventure. Susan bought the old home a little under a year ago. What was an all year Christmas shop, soon became her home and teahouse. As in the first part of this article, I mentioned how beautiful and stylish this building is, and the food is wonderful. The walls are dotted with artefacts and photos of times gone by. While we tucked into our salad and meats with homemade relishes, Susan played the old pianola, beautifully kept and with a wonderful sound. We listened to the lilting tunes of April Showers and Tennessee Waltz which was her beloved father’s favourite song.

Susan Harvey lived her childhood on Fonthill, a property near Lemont in Tasmania. Her family worked the farm but did not own it. Susan fell in love with the farm from the beginning. Eventually, the family had to leave, and many years later, Susan and her three sisters went back. Susan’s longing for Fonthill prompted them and Susan’s second husband Gary Rosser to buy it. Susan was home. Susan introduced tourism, meat sheep and goats to Fonthill. She was the first person to bring in large mobs of Dorpers and goats to this state. The goats took a long time to settle, due to the climate, etc. but they were there to help eradicate gorse, a weed extremely difficult to get rid of. Unfortunately, Susan left Fonthill for the last time before the goats had proved their worth.

Susan told us the story of how they once more lost Fonthill, and in 2013, she had to leave her beloved home. She smiled a little mischievously as she told me how Gary had moved years earlier to NSW with a holistic healer Susan had hired to help him with his headaches. It seems to me the healer ended up as being a headache for Susan.

Susan Harvey is a remarkable woman. She has suffered much in her 68 years. She lost a child to cot death, lost, gained and lost her home, Fonthill. Susan has been twice married and talks fondly still of Gary. It is evident she loves her children and family. Susan has done much for the progress of the land in Tassie, as I see it. She has shown that women can and are as strong and as resourceful as men. She has shown that hard work does not always bring the results we want but is something you need, to achieve anything worthwhile. When they returned to Fonthill, Susan was instrumental in having the original cottage restored, drought proofing the property through bores and producing award winning wools. Susan herself introduced the gorse eating goats. These goats are sold internationally for their meat to this day.

Susan Harvey has taken on a new project, The Colonial Teahouse. She speaks with pride and love of this adventure, this new phase in her life. Her eyes sparkle and you know Susan has many tales to tell. She is a petite, pretty woman whose face is weathered a little with time and hard work. Her staff are bright and full of smiles, and she has obviously a very positive influence on them. Susan is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. She has left a lasting impression on me. She is very approachable and fills a room with her small frame. The Colonial Teahouse is a must if you come to Tasmania. Introduce yourself to Susan, listen to her story. FONTHILL is a book written by Judy Tierney and Bob Casey. A great read if you want to know more about Susan’s remarkable life. Thank you, Susan, for your hospitality, your friendliness and your part in our history. I am lucky to have met you.