Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

Sam:  I wanted to have a good balanced lifestyle particularly for our boys but for us too, and  I  wanted us to have a better quality of life with the family.   Life was so hectic in every part of our lives in the city.  We have cousins who live in Eumundi, and when we stayed with them there was so much to do. We all got out there with them on their property, working with the boys in boots and loving it. It was just like the TV show “The Colony” – having real experiences together.  We also felt at peace there compared with life in the city.

Mike:  We lived in the middle of Manly on the north shore of Sydney, in a lovely double-fronted terrace. But after a while I had the feeling that the kids were starting to look like rats caught in an experiment chamber. So space and balance in our lives was becoming an issue.  I think in today’s society we seem to be encouraged to be disconnected from reality.  Things that you eat do grow on trees and in the vege patch, but kids don’t see that in the city.

While we were visiting the family at Eumundi, I went for a walk every day and was drawn to sit down between this banana and lemon tree and look at the view.  I kept being drawn back to this spot for days. I went back to Sam and said why are we not living up here? And Sam said, well, I’ve been ready to make the move for a while. Let’s go!

Sam:  I kept planting the seeds with Mike for quite a few years, suggesting why don’t we move to Queensland? Also, my parents were prepared to move to where we and the kids were.  It was hard to leave friends, but I had been to Montville before and thought it was a very pretty and neat country town. Now that we’ve made the move it feels like heaven being able to live here.  As a graphic designer I love the creativity here and see potential and opportunities for my own future in getting my creative side going again.

Mike: Pre-kids we lived in New York where I was in Banking for five years and Sam was working in graphic design.  Then, back in Sydney I had been a fairly successful consultant in the finance sector. One Friday night after one of our trips to Eumundi, I sat down with a glass of wine and looked at jobs online, something I had never done before. The top job posted at 4.30pm that afternoon was for head of commercial banking on the Sunshine Coast based in Maroochydore, and managing a team of around 35 people.  I applied and after about two weeks of interviews  it was click and I got the job.

Oliver Schwartz (left) and his brother Caspar with their new puppy Hunter

Sam:  There is so much to learn, especially on the land.  We have 20 acres and I want to learn the best way to create a sustainable garden that will feed the family and also how best to plant up the property by involving the kids in that whole process.

Mike:  I’d like to be involved in contributing to the sustainable development of the region, and what that means more broadly.   I’d like to work with the Innovation Centre at Sunshine Coast University to support companies that are world leaders in new endeavours that are right here and local.  In the end it will be the diversification of industry in the local economy that will create a richer fabric.  It will also give our children broader opportunities to fit in and stay here and contribute to society. Taking the Smart State off the number plate and turning it into reality in this region is what’s important.

And what do the two boys think is the nicest thing about living here?

Casper:   Having enough space to play soccer right outside the house on the grass.

Oliver:   Playing with Hunter our puppy dog that is four months old.