Des Pratt

Why wool
Kangaroo Island is well suited to growing wool, and the fact that wool is not highly perishable also makes it a good fit for an island. I enjoy working with sheep and I’m proud of the fibre we produce in a beautiful, pristine environment.

Our family’s story
My mother’s and father’s families farmed in the Two Wells area just north of Adelaide. After WWII, my father married and my parents farmed in the Hamley Bridge district until they saw an opportunity to enlarge their farming by entering the Soldier Settlement Scheme in 1954. We took up farming in the Stokes Bay area in 1955. Three of us boys followed our farming heritage, all owning our own farms, and now our son Caleb is the third generation with his own farm in Stokes Bay.

The Pratt farm
We believe our farm, Dutton Park, is the best place to live. We look to the west over undulating paddocks to Snellings Beach, with rising ranges to the south. To the north, our land drops off to the sea, with our own little beach and cottage, and untouched coastal scrub. We’re protected by the ranges from the drizzly, cold southerly winds so we have a milder, sunnier winter than most of the Island. Our home is tucked away amongst the sugar gums and is a haven after a busy day.

My Kangaroo Island
We love Hanson Bay and the South-West River area, the pristine, rugged beauty of the cliffs with long beaches and quiet strolls along the river, amongst the bush and birds. We almost always have few others to share it with.

My favourite Kangaroo Island Wool garment:
We’re still trying to decide – there are so many to choose from!