The Hills are alive …
Edit 13. Gilly Farm, Monbulk
For the past year and a half, Sean, Katie and their two boys, Jack and Vince, have been transitioning from suburban life to farming life, choosing fresh air and trees over busy roads and noise. So far, it’s been a very welcome change for the family of four.
Sean, a self‑employed electrician, and Katie, who works in women’s health promotion, now spend their days busy, varied and fulfilled at Gilly Farm in Monbulk, a hidden valley town in the Dandenong Ranges where the soil is rich and perfect for growing flowers. There’s a strong sense of community here, and when asked what they love most about living in the Hills, their answer was instant: “We just love being connected to the community — we just love it here.”
When they first purchased the farm, they weren’t entirely sure what to grow. With support and guidance from locals, they planted sunflowers — and their first season was a success: “We wanted to try something different and nailed it, with beautiful quality.”
Harvest season runs from February to April, and you’ll find Sean and Katie starting their days before sunrise, the perfect time to cut flowers. Katie reflects, “When our second season came around, I realised how much I’d missed this… the smell, the peacefulness, the calmness of the mornings.”
Together, they make a brilliant team. Katie thrives on the hustle — “I love the business side, the growing, finding where to sell, and the Instagram promotion.” Sean finds joy in the outdoors: “I spent decades working inside. Now I’m out here most of the time. It’s a different lifestyle that I love — the freedom to plant what we want and work how we want.”
Sunflowers thrive on their property, but they’re eager to experiment with new and unique varieties. Katie hopes to explore natives and anything else that sparks curiosity.
You can purchase sunflowers from Gilly Farm through their farm gate sales. Want to follow their journey? Visit @gillyfarmmonbulk to watch Sean and Katie continue to grow and expand their flower and foliage farm.
