User Profile

Brendan Simpkins

Brendan Simpkins joined The Bunyip in 2020 as a journalist covering the Gawler Council area. Brendan graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2016 and previously worked for the Northern Argus in the Clare Valley and the Barossa and Light Herald. Brendan is no stranger to the area having been born in Gawler and raised in Andrews Farm. He has an interest in politics and local government, but also loves telling the stories of the community and showcasing the best the region has to offer.

Agriculture

Improving soil the organic way

ON Anderson Walk in Smithfield there’s a small tin shed, once home to a plumbing company, sandwiched between a mechanic and a roller door repair service. Blink and you might miss it. Behind the front door, though, is one of South Australia’s...

Brendan Simpkins

March 2023

Horticulture

Manno’s Quality herbs puts Kudla back on the map

IT has been a big year for Kudla grower Damien Manno. Quality Harvest was founded by Mr Manno eight years ago, but fast forward to 2022 and he is the talk of the industry having been crowned Young Grower of the Year at national and state level. In...

Brendan Simpkins

January 2023

Horticulture

Transforming a blank canvas into a green oasis

IN 2015 the Haines family embarked on a project to transform their small block in Gawler South into a thriving garden. At first the land was a blank canvas just waiting for some paint to be thrown on. With just a few pot plants and a straw-bale bed...

Brendan Simpkins

September 2022

Horticulture

Garden reconnects people with their backyards

IT’S an age-old tradition; growing fruit and vegies in your back garden, swapping your produce with your next-door neighbours. But a cluster of five neighbours in Elizabeth Grove has taken that concept a step further...

Brendan Simpkins

June 2022

Horticulture

Growing gourmet mushrooms out of a garage

DANNY Starr stumbled into the mushroom industry almost by accident. After a near-decade long career in the military came to a close in 2018, his transition into the civilian world led him down a few different career paths that, in his own words...

Brendan Simpkins

March 2022

Horticulture

Patlin Gardens’ organic produce an icon of Adelaide Farmers Market

MORE than 80 stalls are set up every Sunday at Wayville Showgrounds as part of the Adelaide Farmers Market, but there is one that shoppers consistently flock to. Patlin Gardens has been a mainstay at the Market for near-on two decades, and owner Pat...

Brendan Simpkins

February 2022

Horticulture

Every plant has a story to tell at Fitzy’s Natives & Horticulture Services

NESTLED in a small backyard in Gawler South is Fitzy’s Natives & Horticulture Services, a passion project-turnedblossoming business. Father-and-son duo Brett (pictured) and Brayden Fitzpatrick this year decided to go all-in on the project with...

Brendan Simpkins

February 2022