About us
The aim and focus of our venture is environmental sustainability, providing opportunities for people to experience the wonders of nature, learn ways of managing our impact upon it and relax in a beautiful place in the Mid West of Western Australia.
Riverside Sanctuary was conceived as a family based venture and operated by Bob and Dawn Porter and their daughter Fleur. The Porter family has been on ‘Riverside’ since 1927.
Bob and Dawn moved to Northampton in late 2008 but are still involved closely with the venture. Fleur manages administration and some accommodation bookings from her base in Geraldton. Damian Fitzpatrick is the current on-site manager, and the cheery face that will greet you when you arrive at Riverside Sanctuary.
For many years ‘Riverside’ operated as a traditional wheat and sheep farm, but views and management began to change. Environmental degradation had resulted from many years of soil tillage compounded by erosion and compaction from sheep. The health of many areas of remnant vegetation was also declining.
Management began to address these issues and revegetation, bushland and waterway protection began. By 1998 all livestock had been phased out and the farm became entirely a cropping enterprise.
In the year 2000 the decision was made to embark on a farmstay tourism venture, highlighting the beauty of the bush and the importance of managing it for the future.
Existing houses on the farm were renovated and time was invested developing tours, the Shearing Shed BBQ area and walk trails in the protected section of the Murchison River, with the assistance of our Landcare Trainee, Angie Goddard. The first guests stayed in May 2001, and the business grew from here.
The move into tourism has meant we are suddenly dealing with more people, sometimes in large groups, who require one on one attention. Fortunately we have all grown up with warm Australian country hospitality, and providing this just comes with the territory.
Bob and Dawn Porter, Fleur and Russell Grieve
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