The Brimblecombe's at Clearwater

NSF Champion #3: Richard & Eleanor Brimblecombe – Don't Wait, Start Now at Clearwater

Our third Natural Sequence Farming Champion story takes us to Clearwater, 6km south of Glenmorgan on Queensland's Western Downs, where Richard and Eleanor Brimblecombe are proving that the best time to start is now — because the second-best time was yesterday.

The Two-Year Gap

Richard and Elle run an F1 Wagyu operation on their 1,300-hectare property. After Richard completed a Tarwyn Park Training course at Gayndah, he felt reaffirmed in what they needed to do. Natural Sequence Farming aligned perfectly with their stewardship goals.

But then came the gap.

Two years passed between completing the course and actually implementing Natural Sequence Farming contours across Clearwater.

As Richard reflects in their story: "If I had one regret, it would be that I wish I would have done it sooner."

This is a regret many landholders will recognise — the knowing-doing gap. You understand what needs to happen. You can see it in the landscape. But somehow, time passes before action follows understanding.

The Implementation

Richard and Elle have now installed 15 kilometres of Natural Sequence Farming contours across their property. And as Richard says, they're "really excited about what we're seeing as a consequence of installing those."

The results include:

These are exactly the outcomes Natural Sequence Farming is designed to deliver.

The Time Factor

But here's the crucial insight Richard shares: "We understand that it will take quite some time for all of the benefits to accrue here. But we are seeing small benefits very quickly."

This understanding is key. The small benefits appear quickly — within the first year, sometimes within months. But the deep, transformative benefits to soil structure, water-holding capacity, and ecological function take time to develop.

Which is precisely why Richard's advice is so important.

The Advice: Drive Yourself to Act

Richard's message to anyone considering Natural Sequence Farming is clear and emphatic:

"My suggestion to anyone doing a natural sequence farming course with Tarwyn Park Training would be to drive yourself to put what you learn into practice as quickly as you can afterwards."

Don't wait for perfect conditions. Don't wait for the ideal moment. Don't let analysis paralysis set in.

As Richard says, "Bite the bullet and get yourself booked on a course and go and do it, and then get yourself ready to implement."

Managing for Biodiversity

What Richard and Elle are seeing now at Clearwater goes beyond water management. As Richard notes, "We're thrilled with the way the contour banks are grassing up. We're seeing a lot of plant activity, new grasses germinating. It's a great mix, and the cattle are healthy. They're doing really well, and we're trying to manage for that biodiversity on an ongoing basis."

This is Natural Sequence Farming working as it should — not just moving water, but creating the conditions for life to flourish.

The Legacy Vision

For Richard and Elle, this work is about more than production outcomes. It's about stewardship.

"Really, for us, it's all about leaving Clearwater in a far better state than it was when we came. We want to leave a legacy that's very positive for the community and the environment and the industry as well."

After 4.5 years at the property, Natural Sequence Farming has become "a really important part of what we're trying to achieve here."

Elle's Journey

An important part of their story is how Elle came to understand and embrace the work. As Richard explains: "Elle and I spent a lot of time talking about those goals and how the natural sequence farming actually is a really important part of what we're trying to achieve here. So, once she understood how it all worked together, she was very enthusiastic to come on the journey as well."

This speaks to the importance of shared vision in any long-term landscape transformation work. Both partners need to understand not just what you're doing, but why it matters and how it connects to your broader goals.

Don't Wait. Start Now.

The lesson from Richard and Elle's story is simple but profound: the time you spend waiting is time you could have been building soil, storing water, and creating resilience.

The small benefits appear quickly. But the long-term transformation takes time.

So start now.

As Richard says: "If I had one regret, it would be that I wish I would have done it sooner."

Learn from their regret. Don't let two years pass between learning and doing. Put what you learn into practice as quickly as you can.

The landscape you want to create starts with the decision you make today.

👉 Watch Richard and Elle's full story here: https://youtu.be/FdtBQy4UdI0

Peter Andrews OAM spent his life showing people that there's a better way to work with the landscape. This story continues that mission — proof that the work is happening, right now, across Australia.

Let's Rehydrate Australia — together.

We'd love to hear your thoughts after you watch Richard and Elle's story. Comment below and let us know what resonates with you.

P.S. If you know someone who's been thinking about Natural Sequence Farming but hasn't started yet — a farmer, a land manager, someone who keeps meaning to get to that course — please share Richard and Elle's story with them. Sometimes we all need a reminder: don't wait. Start now.

🔗 Subscribe to the channel: https://youtube.com/@tarwynparktraining

🌏 Learn more: rehydrateaustralia.com

This is the third story in our Rehydrate Australia series, sharing the journeys of farmers and land managers implementing Natural Sequence Farming across Australia.