Covenantor

Artist’s bush sanctuary becomes a gift to nature

Xersa

A creative life rooted in nature and conservation

Xersa was looking for a place to live outside of the city when she found Sky Haven, her 30-ha sanctuary on the rim of the Strathbogie Ranges on Taungurung Country, looking out over the Goulburn River valley.

“It’s like an island in the sky,” Xersa says. “I loved watching the clouds spill over the hills, it’s really quite magical.”

It was here that Xersa found inspiration and space to create, including artwork selected as a finalist for the Dobell Prize and the Salon Des Refuses. Her art is a narrative of human impacts on the land, drawing burnt landscapes on crumpled paper, but still with a beam of hope. Birds are often featured as symbolic of freedom, resilience and ability to move on.

Growing up in Daylesford, Xersa accompanied her mechanic father fire-fighting. It was through him, and while riding horses, that she learned to respect the bush. She ran a textile business and began buying and renovating properties. In 1988 she found Sky Haven in Ghin Ghin. Wanting to ensure its protection, Xersa safeguarded it with a conservation covenant soon after.

The property is a patch of dry forests on the ridge of the range, providing habitat for numerous wildlife.

“I’ve had kookaburras come and sit near the shed and sing. I’d sing with them and they’d get louder and louder, and then stop, leaving this ringing noise in the hills,” says Xersa. “If you sit still and quiet long enough the animals will do that. It makes you feel at one with nature and part of it.”

Donating land to protect wildlife and habitat

Apart from kookaburras, the property is also home to wallabies, echidnas, blind snakes, monitors, and an Owlet-nightjar that leaves footprints in the shed while foraging for ants. Xersa and her partner Eric have improved habitat by weeding, and the understory of grasses, orchids and lilies are slowly recovering.

As managing the property has gotten more difficult, Xersa wondered what she could do to ensure it was looked after. Recently, she generously decided to donate the property to Trust for Nature, following years of supporting the organisation.

The property will be sold through the Revolving Fund, ensuring proceeds from the sale are used to purchase and secure even more habitat.

“I don’t know how much longer I’ve got, so it’s best if I do things to help the world. It’s just a drop in the ocean, but if other people do things like this, lots of drops make up an ocean. I’d encourage others to consider making a gift of land or a bequest to Trust for Nature.”

Making a gift of land or a bequest to Trust for Nature is an incredible gift towards protecting Victoria’s natural wonder. If you are considering making a land gift or a donation in your will, please contact our Relationship Manager Neil Venables: neilv@tfn.org.au, or 0417 052 861.