Cedric and his wife own Bilpin Springs Orchard, on the Bells Line of Road at Bilpin. Here Cedric grows apples, nashi pears, stone fruit, figs and persimmons.
In a former life Cedric was a teacher! And his wife still is. Indeed the idea behind purchasing the orchard 22 years ago was not only to grow fruit but to link agriculture with education.
With Cedric's background as a maths teacher, he is able to constantly observe the links between the academic study of mathematics with the practical realities of farming. The movements of the sun, the catching of water, the development of leaves and flowers, all have mathematical lessons contained within them.
Not only are there mathematical links but there are also biological links and of course artistic ones as well.
Cedric sees his job of farming as a very integrated occupation - you need to be a "jack of all trades!" he says. A farmer needs to understand mathematics, economics, marketing and how to deal with machinery. To Cedric there is an enormous satisfaction in producing food which meets a fundamental need for people, needs which include shelter and friendship. The opportunity to work in fresh air and to connect so completely with the natural cycles implicit in an agricultural setting meets other human needs that may not be so easily met in the city landscape.
In Cedric we have a mentor who combines twin passions for farming and education, a wonderful combination for the Archibull Prize.
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