Retired MP to sell private bunker

FORMER deputy Liberal Party leader and Howard Government minister Peter Reith is selling his private getaway in rural Victoria.

Mr Reith and wife Kerrie have escaped to their weekender for the past five years.

The couple purchased the 48ha property, which is just over a two hour commute from Melbourne’s CBD, a decade ago before investing time and money into creating their ideal retreat.

The Stonyford home, built just five years ago, offers up a quirky surprise inside which reflects the Reiths’ fun sense of humour.

“We’ve got framed memorabilia of photos, newspaper articles and the likes on the bathroom walls,” Ms Reith said.

“It’s quite an interesting read and Peter’s attitude is, where else would you put it? Some guests go in and we don’t see them for hours because they’re reading it all. It’s somewhat of an archive of Peter’s career and time in politics, in the loo.”

The couple had a draughtsman design the house to be functional yet extremely comfortable with a well-appointed kitchen, open living and dining areas with a breathtaking Cheminee Philippe feature fireplace, an open slat timber staircase revealing a light-filled sitting/reading room, and a raft of modern conveniences including split-system heating and cooling plus quality fixtures and fittings.

“Peter bought the land sight unseen,” Ms Reith said.

“He was overseas working for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the time so it was a couple of years before he could come back to the property and work out the best design for the house.”

On weekends away from the office, the Reiths slowly transformed what was vacant but beautiful country into a private lock-and-leave home comprised of the three bedroom residence surrounded by expansive lawns, substantial Colorbond shedding and a workshop, and around 16 hectares of rolling paddocks ideal for livestock.

Ray White Rural Camperdown’s Alistair Tune is managing an expressions of interest campaign on ‘Trenavin’ at Stonyford, closing March 9 at 1pm.

“The property has been really important to us, particularly in the busier times of our careers,” Mr Reith said.

“It’s been a really special getaway where we can just sit and relax as much or as little as we want to. It’s almost nurturing, and as soon as you drive in you just feel yourself unwind. With busy lives, that’s a great feeling.”

After stepping aside from his political commitments, Mr Reith was recently made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Australian parliament, and to the community of Victoria.

The pair now wish to spend their time seeing more of the world and less of it working their hobby farm, which is why they’ve decided to place it on the market.

“Peter turns 69 this year, so how much longer do we keep it for?” Ms Reith said.

“We would like more freedom to travel, but it’s been an invaluable estate for us as it’s allowed us to get back to nature and get our hands dirty. We’ll miss going for walks, picking fruit, and looking at the expansive views particularly at sunset as the light changes across the country.”

Trenavin is within easy access to the townships of Colac, Camperdown and Cobden, and only around 40 minutes from the coast.

“The property offers wonderful seclusion yet it’s accessible to many of the local regional towns,” Mr Tune said.

“You really can enjoy the best of both worlds.”