Boyup Brook Community Outraged Over Council's Move to Liquidate Historic Rylington Park Farm

The Shire of Boyup Brook is facing intense local scrutiny following its decision to wind up operations, lease out land, and sell off assets at a historic community farm once valued at $1.3 million.

The 596-hectare mixed enterprise, known as Rylington Park, is situated roughly 30 kilometres south of the Boyup Brook townsite. The property was originally gifted to the shire by local farmer and community pioneer Eric Farleigh. His sole request was that the land be kept "for the benefit of persons within the shire and for research purposes".

A Legacy Built by Volunteers

For more than thirty years, Rylington Park was operated by volunteers, establishing itself as a hub for community field days, shearing schools, and agricultural research. However, the shire assumed direct control of the farm in 2020. Earlier this year, the local council made the decision to phase out operations, opt for leasing the land, and liquidate its assets.

Retired farmer Richard Turner, a former chairman of the committee that voluntarily managed the farm until 2020, expressed deep concern over the move. He believes the council's decision fails to honor the wishes of the donor and the hard work of the community.

"He gave his farm in good faith … to see it going the way it is going is very disappointing," Mr Turner said.

Reflecting on the history of the property, Mr Turner noted that local farmers grew the initiative into a successful venture with combined assets of roughly $1.3 million. "Sheep were donated, the machinery was pretty run down … and over the years they got it up to running pretty well," he said. By the time the shire took over, the site was hosting eight shearing schools and two field days annually. "We were putting through a hundred students a year — that's shearers and shed hands," Mr Turner added.

Financial Risk Concerns and Future Plans

The council has defended the shift, attributing the closure of active operations to the financial risks associated with running a large farming enterprise in a shire with a population of fewer than 2,000 people. Officials stated that a "new management model" would ensure agricultural research, community cropping, and scholarship funding continue in line with the donor’s intent.

Under the current plan, the majority of the land will be leased. All livestock is scheduled to be sold by the end of January 2027, with all other farm equipment to be liquidated by early 2027. The council plans to place the proceeds into a quarantined account to fund potential future efforts to revive the farm.

However, the strategy has divided local residents. Tension peaked during a council meeting on July 30, which had to be temporarily suspended due to repeated disruptions from community members in the public gallery.

Divided Perspectives on the Farm's Future

A spokesperson for the shire stated that the administration is focused on safeguarding the property's future while minimizing financial burdens on local ratepayers, noting that shifting conditions in the agricultural sector have presented challenges. While research trials and agreements will remain active, there are no plans to keep running the shearing schools.

The shire acknowledged the community's frustration regarding the changes. "The shire understands that community members have questions, and has sought to provide information through public council meetings, regular updates and community matter information sessions," the spokesperson said. "Our focus is on ensuring the community has access to accurate information and understands the reasons for council's decision."

Despite this, Mr Turner and eight other local farmers argue that the council's actions diverge from the farm's original purpose. "They're not doing what Mr Farleigh wanted," Mr Turner asserted. Mr Farleigh, who pioneered research into soil quality, was posthumously inducted into the Royal Agricultural Society of WA's Hall of Fame.

To address local concerns, the council pointed to a statement of support from David Farleigh, the grandson of the original donor and a former resident of the area. "I am satisfied the new management model as explained to me and adopted by the Boyup Brook Shire Council will retain the original intent of the gift given by Eric Farleigh," he stated. "I am reassured Eric Farleigh's legacy and gifting of Rylington Park to the Boyup Brook Shire Council will continue his vision and benefit the local community into the foreseeable future."