FOREST RANGE STATION'S FARMING OPERATION
The Emmerson Family has been associated with Forest Range Station since the early 1900's, commencing when George Bain Henderson, a musterer, gained a part ownership in the property in 1910.He purchased the property outright in 1922 and settled there permanently with his family until his death in 1966.
Russell (the present owner) took over management of the property at this stage and purchased it outright from his grandfather's estate in 1975. Russell attended Lincoln College in 1968/9 gaining a Diploma in Agriculture.During this time he and Jeanette were married.In 1981 they were awarded the A. C. Cameron Memorial Award in recognition of the development work undertaken on their priorities.
During their farming career the neighbouring properties of Breast Hill and Bargour have been purchased. They are similar terrain to Forest Range featuring extensive mountains and hills covered in exotic and native grasslands, fast flowing mountain streams and rivers. An irrigated property at Tarras, 32 km away was purchased in 1975. Four properties on the Hawea Flat have been added recently and these are being developed with pivot irrigators as part of the Lake Hawea Irrigation Scheme.
Their family of Catherine, David and Anna are fourth generation on the property and have all played an active role in farming since childhood. David finished a Diploma at Lincoln University in June 1996 and works on the property, overseeing most of the enterprise. Catherine, together with her husband and children farm some of the Forest Range stock on their property near Burkes Pass and Anna has a covered mob of Merino wethers on her Mayfield farm. Russell and David both have their helicopter licences to fly the company machines for mustering sheep and most farm tasks
FOREST RANGE STATION'S PROPERTY HISTORY
A Scottish pioneer, Jock McLean, discovered the area with the help of a Maori guide in 1858. Grazing rights were taken up on a huge area of tussock grasslands in the centre of the South Island that Jock McLean named "Morven Hills". The area is between the plains of the McKenzie basin and the rugged country of Central Otago. There was a short period of gold mining activity about 1862 but since then the principle activity has been pastoral farming, mainly with Merino sheep. In 1910, the Morven Hills estate was split up for settlers and the three blocks of Breast Hill, Forest Range and Bargour were created for purchase.