Some people’s heros are sports stars or celebrities, mine is Deny King.
I’m not very ‘hip’ when it comes to popular culture. Basically I’m pretty uncool. Jess Ainscough had to explain to me who the Kardashians were (I’ve still never seen them), Susana Frioni is always introducing me to new music like Rihanna, and they both still laugh about the time we were driving along listening to the radio and I mentioned some music I’d enjoyed the week before, asking ‘Is there someone called Adele?’ They both nearly wet themselves.

I don’t mind not knowing. And I’m glad my friends share with me what they enjoy. But I don’t have a lot of bandwidth in my life to go searching out the Hottest 100, reading magazines or watching reality TV. I don’t usually enjoy those things, so they just doesn’t cross my radar.

However, I do have a nose for sussing out some pretty unusual people. I tend to think of them as people who’ve lived unconventional lives. Whether they’re artists, naturists, Permaculturists, adventures, authors, or something else entirely, their stories inspire me and I’m excited to share one of my all time favourites, my true heros, with you today in what I anticipate will become a bit of a feature on my blog known as An Unconventional Life series..

Hang on to your hat. Here we go. No Arias, Oscars, A Lists or record deals here, just good old fashioned interesting people doing weird & wonderful things.

Introducing… Deny King.

Deny King Book CoverDeny grew up part of the pioneering generation, in the true sense of the word. In 1915 his family moved to the rugged and unforgiving south west corner of Tasmania when he was a boy.

He later got his own property where he built a home, worked as a tin miner and raised a family. The challenging conditions wouldn’t have suited everyone, but Deny adored nature and living close to the earth, and his lifestyle reflected those core values.

With a natural affinity for all sorts of wildlife, Deny loved painting the local birds. He also provided generous hospitality to visitors, and was said to be as strong as an ox. Plus, he could navigate and predict the weather like a true bushman.

Overall, Deny is remembered as a genuine, generous and gentle man.I read the story of his life about 8 years ago and his legend left an indelible mark on my psyche.

When I was in Tasmania earlier this year I took a light plane flight with Par Avion and visited his home in the south west corner of Tassie.

It turned out to be one of the best days of my life. Seriously.

I made a little home-video of the trip to share with you. Press play to come on an adventure to a truly remarkable place, made by a truly remarkable man.

Where it is…

Deny’s place at Melaleuca is in the south-western corner of Tasmania. We took off from Hobart and followed the coast down to his place, then flew back inland over the mountains. It was spectacular.

The flight to Melaleuca

Deny’s Place

Deny’s Studio

The boat trip on Bathurst Harbour

Lunch

Deny’s Veggie Patch & Garden

What a great day…

Deny had a simple, healthy lifestyle.

If you’d love to learn how to grow your own organic food, and live a little more of an ‘unconventional life’, check out my free video The 5 Secrets to an Abundant Veggie Patch. You can also download the free PDF guide to refer back to again and again.

In the video, I share what it really takes to start and grow your organic veggie patch. Plus, I share what every beginner gardener needs to know about making a garden that fits in with their busy lifestyle.

Have an awesome week Sprouter,

With love,

Nicola xx