Leculiers happy their path led to Narrabri

A fertile 40 acres on the outskirts of Narrabri has come on the market with the announcement by the local owners Jean Claude and Marie-Therese Leculier that they are moving in to town.

The couple is sorry to be leaving their idyllic property ‘Sergenon’, after 42 years but the time has come for relocation and they have a new residence waiting in Bowen Street, Narrabri.

Following the announcement that it is time to move, the popular local couple have been fielding enquiries from concerned friends – ‘you’re not leaving Narrabri?’

“The answer is emphatically ‘no,’” the couple said.

“We are here to stay.”

The Leculiers’ planned sale of their property opens a rare opportunity for new owners.

The block is just 1.5 kilometres from town on the Old Gunnedah Road.

“It’s three kilometres from the post office,” Marie Therese adds.

“I have measured it.”

For the past 42 years the Leculiers have enjoyed life on their acres.

They are dedicated to the environment and ‘Sergenon’, has long been a producer of fruit and vegetables from the couple’s market gardens.

‘The soil is fertile here,” said Jean Claude.

“And it is even better now than when we moved here because over the years we have improved it with organic material, gypsum and minerals.”

The couple’s commitment to the environment is reflected in their stewardship of the land.

A corner of the property, complete with a dam and its own island, is a dedicated natural vegetation and wildlife haven, a habitat for native birds.

An interesting feature of the farm is a paddock carrying 50 date palms – reputedly making it the only commercial date plantation in NSW.

There is expected to be keen interest in the property auction on October 13. ‘Sergenon’ is being marketed by Nutrien Harcourts Narrabri (as advertised).

Jean Claude and Marie-Therese moved to Narrabri in 1975.

Their journey has brought them from France to put down roots, establish a home and raise a family in Australia.

“We met at a wedding in France in 1969,” said Marie-Therese.

“Jean Claude was sitting opposite me and in conversation he asked where I would like to visit.

“I said I had always wanted to go to Australia.”

He shared the vision, they were married in 1969, and five years later disembarked in Brisbane.

Jean Claude sought a farm job and was presented with two options – work at Griffith or Narrabri.

The cotton chipping job at Narrabri was chosen and the couple moved to town.

“Everything was made easy for us to establish in Narrabri,” Jean Claude recalled.

“We were advised by a friend the late Keith Cameron that this property was for sale, and the agent Maurice Simshauser was a great help.”

Their intention was to establish a market garden, which they did, and subsequently opened a fruit and vegetable retail outlet in Maitland Street.

The couple invested in Narrabri, developing commercial premises on Cooma Road – naming the complex ‘Carnac’ after Marie-Therese’s home town in Brittany.

The family grew up here, Claude Henri and Melinda now live in Narrabri with two children, Anne is a long-time resident of New York, with her husband Carter and two children, and Gwenael lives in Sydney with his wife Trieu and two children.

“We have a happy life in Narrabri and are looking forward to the future,” Jean Claude and Marie-Therese said.