Brad & Hannah Millard

Brad & Hannah Millard operate a 10,000 vine property called Beenham Valley Passions in the picturesque Wolvi area near to Gympie in Queensland.  The farm also grows pumpkins as a second crop.  Hannah is a teacher and she helps out during the school holidays along with their two young girls and all the nephews and nieces.  The farm has 4 semi-permanent staff which swells to up to 10 employees during the peak season times.

The surprising fact about Brad Millard is that he is the third generation operating this farm – his parents, although technically retired, do still help out especially during the really busy periods.  Brad has been farming passionfruit for 17 years now and he loves that every season is different.  Never quite knowing what each season will bring, that’s what makes growing passionfruit a challenge. And after 17 years, Brad is still keen to learn more.

Brad’s top tip for newer growers: “Go to field days because you always get ideas from others and there is always something to learn no matter where you go”

Growing passionfruit isn’t for the faint-hearted – Brad lists broken wires, the spraying requirements and full moons at Christmas time when the pick is so heavy as some of his least favourite aspects.  Plus of course “If you don’t like working over Christmas and Easter it’s not the crop for you”.

So Brad, if you had your time over again, what else would you do?

“Beef cattle, it looks easier and when it’s raining you don’t have to go out and pick in it!”

And if you could get away from it all for a month, what would you do?

Brad would take the family away somewhere where the camping is great and the fishing is even better.