Cassell’s organic business has a remarkable grassroots connection to the Autumn Harvest
SIMONE Cassell cannot believe how fate has played a major role in bringing her organic business back to her family roots in Rouse Hill House & Farm dating back to 1832.
Rouse Hill
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rouse Hill. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SIMONE Cassell cannot believe how fate has played a major role in bringing her organic business back to her family roots in Rouse Hill House & Farm dating back to 1832.
The Stanhope Gardens local’s Cassell Coker & Co firm is expanding rapidly through local markets and will make its debut at the 2017 Autumn Harvest at Rouse Hill House & Farm on Sunday, May 28.
However, she is more excited — not only about the annual Autumn Festival — but about the connection with the historic home because her fourth great-grandfather actually worked for many years with the founder of modern Rouse Hill, Richard Rouse.
It was in 1834 that her fourth great-grandfather Thomas Cassell — who was sent from Britain to Sydney for pickpocketing in 1819 — began working for Richard Rouse as the overseer.
“Leafing recently through Rouse Hill Farm stores and wage records from the 1830s, I felt I could almost reach back and touch great grandfather Thomas,” Ms Cassell said.
“I could see — almost smell — in the old store ledgers and wages books, the flour, the sugar, the mutton, the salt, the other life staples grandfather drew monthly for his family from the productive Rouse Hill Farm.”
Mr Cassell gained his freedom in 1832 and worked as a special constable at Windsor before being the overseer of government works there.
His working friendship with Richard Rouse, an established private government works contractor and well known landowner, then saw Mr Cassell being employed at his property at Vinegar Hill, now known as Rouse Hill.
“Going back to Rouse Hill House & Farm for the Autumn Festival is very special to me,” Ms Cassell said.
“It means a lot to me and being at the same place as my fourth great-grandfather is amazing.
“I think my dad had an inkling we had some connection to the Hills district and we moved from Grafton to Sydney when I was one years old.
“I have been very interested about the connection about six or seven years ago and did some research, being passionate in genealogy.”
Coincidentally, Richard Rouse picked out staff from new shop arrivals in the colony with one of them, Betsey Fitch, eventually marrying Thomas Cassell and raising the family on the property.
Ms Cassell, who had worked as an account manager for 14 years, including a stint with an organic and health firm, finally bit the bullet and began her own company in 2015.
“I had wanted to start my company earlier but was delayed,’ Ms Cassell said.
“I have grown up in the Hills and my parents, Barry and Beverly, also help me with my business.
“It’s been a challenge setting up and running the business but it’s been a real journey with lots of positives.
“I am excited to see what’s ahead because the response has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Ms Cassell sources all her organic food, starting with local farmers and sells wholesale and through regular markets at Rouse Hill Town Centre, Castle Hill and Marrickville.
Her range of certified organic foods covers biodynamic produce and natural health products. It includes nuts, seeds, dried fruit, flour, grains and the popular raw desserts, which caters to vegans.
“Our family heritage is established in produce with our grandfather Max Cooper and his father owning and running Cooper’s Produce in Goulburn NSW in the 1800s-1900s,” Ms Cassell said.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
■ There will 30 special produce stalls invited to Rouse Hill offering heirloom produce: preserves, smoked goods, eggs, dairy, tea, bread, meat, salt, chocolate, sweets, cordials and similar early Australian staples.
■ The talks program hosted by food writer, Barbara Sweeney, will feature Sydney Living Museums’ curator, Scott Hill and colonial gastronomer, Jacqui Newling.
■ Join Jaya Chopra of Eat Me Chutneys to hear about their socially enterprising mission to re-purpose rescued produce
■ Old meets new in the Food As Medicine talk where Jacqui Newling will offer insights into 19th century cookbooks. She will be joined by Anthia Kallourous from Ovvio Organics
■ Learn how to become a waste warrior in the kitchen as Cornersmith teach basic food saving techniques and creative solutions to use up those last scraps in the fridge.
■ Dave Ingham will show how easy it is to care for backyard chickens and enjoy your own fresh free range eggs
■ Children can see cows and horses with farmer Lawrence.
■ Take a peek inside the historic Rouse Hill House.
Meet the talented young artists from ARTEXPRESS 2025
The annual art exhibition which shows some of the most outstanding and exemplary artworks across NSW by HSC visual arts students has opened. Meet the students and see their amazing works.
‘Immensely humbling’: Oz Day honours for Sydney’s local legends
While some call it “immensely humbling”, others have joked about thinking “which bastard has put me on here”. Meet Sydney’s local legends recognised on Australia Day.