GREAT to hear about the enterprising couples and their car sharing, "Breathe easy, share the car", (WT, February 10).

My 73-year-old mother offers my children a wonderful role model in productivity and thoughtfulness.

She spent her childhood and early adult years in the Dandenong Ranges, the land flowing with milk and honey.

So, moving from the gentle rains, rich loam and lush vegetables to arid, water-deprived central Victoria was a major challenge.

Despite legitimate cause to admit defeat, she has persisted to create a productive hobby farm.

Her goats and chooks keep the grass and bugs under control and return a good supply of milk and eggs.

They are treated like royalty - every bit of organic waste is cut up and shared.

Each day in summer, despite chronic arthritis, Gran will hand-pick a bucket of grass from her sparse lawn to ensure her chooks - "the girls" - have greens.

The goats will have other tasty treats; banana and grapefruit peel and choice cuttings from her prized garden for the milkers. Three goats are milked twice a day.

Since infancy, my youngest child, who suffers from eczema, has greatly benefited from drinking the milk. When supply is short, Gran reduces her own use to ensure his needs are met.

The free-range eggs are also readily shared and much appreciated with their carefully nurtured golden yolks.

In the past, we have also enjoyed the sweetest nectarine and strawberries.

In recent years, however, drought and parrots have taken their toll on the harvest.

When I ask my children what will happen when Gran "goes to God", their response is to "take over her farm".

Hopefully her selfless and hard-working example will not be in vain.

Adele Luatutu, Bendigo