Geoff and Maureen purchased 27 acres of bare land at Corowa in August 1980, situated 1.5km from the Corowa Racecourse and only 5km from the Victorian border. We felt this to be a perfect location to establish a racehorse training centre, naming the property Gemaura, a combination of both our names.
We started by building 4 walk-in/walk-out boxes and yards, a feedroom and a large sand roll, so Geoff could continue to break in young horses.
In 1983 we added a 100m swimming pool which has been a godsend for keeping the weight off horses’ backs and giving them a change in their exercise routine.
In 1986 we built 5 large boxes with a wide undercover passageway, as well as a larger feedroom. Two years later we erected a large shed utilising half as a hay shed and another 4 walk-in/walk-outs in the other half.
Whilst all this was happening we were erecting different size paddocks for different purposes and landscaping the surrounds including wind breaks and large trees.
We sold our home in the township of Corowa and together with our 3 children moved to Gemaura, having transported and renovated a very small home that once housed workmen whilst building the Dartmouth Dam. In 1990 we built our current home and our back garden is now where our original home once stood. Many a footy has been kicked, cricket played and netball shootouts in that backyard and we are now enjoying our grandchildren continuing our love of all sports.