11 September 2019

River Cottage Australia on hold - Paul West making new plans

| Ian Campbell
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River Cottage Australia, just outside of Central Tilba. From RCA Facebook page.

River Cottage Australia, just outside of Central Tilba. From RCA Facebook page.

River Cottage Australia at Central Tilba has been mothballed as backers of the TV show press ‘hold’ on further filming.

Host, Paul West says the future of the series is up in the air but he’s hopeful the show might return to TV screens one day.

“We don’t have a commission for the 2017 viewing year,” Paul says.

“For the last four years we have filmed a season every year continuously and this will be the first time we have had a break.”

The lush property, come TV set at the foot of Gulaga Mountain has been de-stocked, the cast of animals have all gone to good homes, their celebrity status attracting interest but not higher prices.

“We have stripped the high maintenance livestock out, like the chickens, the pigs and a lot of the cattle,” Paul explains.

“We just left a couple of the cows to keep the grass down, the property will still tick away but it won’t thrive like it has in past seasons.”

Digger the dog stays with Paul as part of his growing family.

“He’s not for sale…although that depends on how he’s behaving,” Paul laughs.

The West family on Paul and Alicia's on wedding day. From RCA Facebook page

The West family on Paul and Alicia’s wedding day @ The Sanctuary in Tilba. From RCA Facebook page

Having moved their life from Tasmania to the South Coast of NSW to film the show, Paul and his wife Alicia are now exploring new income options.

“It’s [River Cottage] not my property, I didn’t own it,” Paul says.

“As much as I do love going up there, I’ve got a family to feed, so I need to generate income, I can’t just do it for the love.”

Given the warmth many have for the show, it’s easy to forget that River Cottage Australia is a business – a partnership between Keo Films and pay-TV channel Foxtel.

According to Paul, the decision to rest the series is a commercial one that relates to the modern media landscape.

“The TV environment has changed rapidly in the last couple of years with the proliferation of on-demand streaming services and that caught our broadcaster on the hop a little bit,” Paul believes.

“They [Foxtel] had a restructure and River Cottage didn’t meet the criteria.”

Based on the long-running UK series hosted by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, the Tilba version of the show reached into communities right around South East NSW.

The skill, passion, and beauty of these small communities was showcased to 17 countries across Asia and Eastern Europe.

Local people and their flair for food, the environment and each other became the star of the show – and generated terrific goodwill and prosperity beyond the TV production houses.

“There is no doubt the filming of 32 episodes of this national and international show has had a positive impact on the region in many ways,” says Sarah Cooper, Business Assistance Manager, Eurobodalla Shire Council.

“Aside from the immediate economic benefit that comes with a full TV crew filming for 3 months each year, there will be long-lasting effects,” Sarah says.

“The increased tourism in and around Tilba with visitors wanting to sample the ‘River Cottage Australia’ life has been a huge economic boost for the region and will be for some time.

“It’s been a four-year partnership with Council and the community, we will miss the show.” she says.

Paul West speaks with Ian Campbell about his plans for the future:

Paul West laughs as he remembers meeting viewers from Hungary on the main street of Central Tilba.

“If you have an eye for natural beauty, great communities, and that true regional character, then this is the best part of Australia,” Paul says.

The cooking and gardening program has also made a number of skilled locals ‘famous.’

Matt Christison with Paul West. From RCA Facebook

Matt Christison with Paul West. From RCA Facebook page.

As the show moved along Paul needed to call on expert advice, drawing on CWA cook Nelleke Gorton, farmer and felter Tabitha Bilaniwskyj-Zarins, Erica and Nic Dibden from South Coast Cheese and Tilba Milk, and mobile butcher Matt Christison, among many others.

Matt says the show has changed him.

“It’s been a huge buzz, the crew made me feel so welcome – they are great people.

“I was gutted when I heard the news, I will miss it. The Cooking School especially has been very satisfying,” he says.

Matt’s profile on the show has been good for his own business, which he’s very grateful for.

“Other’s have been inspired too, there are a lot more mobile butchers out there now,” Matt says.

While the show featured the recipes and gardening tips you’d expect, it was also known for showing regional life in all its colours, including the slaughter of farm animals.

As the one firing the gun and often cutting the throat of an animal, Matt says the reaction of viewers was interesting.

“I am very proud of that work,” Matt says.

“We showed how it can be done naturally and humanely.”

On the flipside, Matt says he’s disappointed his butcher jokes were cut from the show.

“I cracked every ‘meat’ joke there is, none of them made it to air,” he laughs.

Kelly Eastwood is another of the names tied to show reflecting on the positive impact it’s had and making new plans for the future.

Paul West and Kelly Eastwood. From RCA Facebook page

Paul West and Kelly Eastwood. From RCA Facebook page

Kelly was the TV Food Producer and as a qualified chef was Manager of the River Cottage Australia Cooking School, which ran in conjunction with the TV series.

Kelly says the region has left its mark on her and she’ll be staying.

“With all the travelling I’ve done, this is the first place I’ve had an affiliation with, it feels like home,” she says.

Just like Paul West, Kelly has built a connection with the local community that has moved beyond the TV screen and into the fabric of what regional living is about.

Kelly has become a key member of the Tilba Chamber of Commerce and has just been appointed president of the 2017 Tilba Easter Festival committee.

“I got involved to say ‘thank you’ to this community for its support of the show and the cooking school,” Kelly says.

“Moving here for River Cottage Australia has been life changing, there are lots of reasons to stick around.”

Kelly says she’ll take the next month off and rest before jumping into anything new.

“There are lots of opportunities for good food here and I’ll be writing my cookbook over summer,” Kelly says.

“I believe so much in this region and I just want to show it off to the world.”

For Paul West, his wife Alicia, their 2-year-old boy and baby due early next year, River Cottage Australia lives on in many respects.

Triangle Farm Tilba. From Facebook

Triangle Farm Tilba. From Facebook

While the show might be hibernating, Paul’s passion for food is awake and kicking under the banner of Triangle Farm Tilba.

Over the last couple of months, Paul has been turning a grassy paddock on the Princes Highway, opposite the Dibden’s dairy farm, into a market garden.

“When you are making a TV show you do more TV making than you do food growing,” Paul says.

“Now that the TV show isn’t on the horizon, I want to do more food growing.

“I’ll be growing a variety of chemical free vegetables that I hope to sell into the Bermagui and Tilba farmers markets, and maybe I’ll get down to Bega as well, and supply a few hospitality businesses,” Paul says.

A pop-up food stall is also part of Paul’s thinking, but he’s keen to get the garden producing first.

“Tilba sits atop a region that is colloquially known as the triangle,” Paul explains.

“It’s the trio of villages – Bermagui, Cobargo, and Tilba, they make a triangle on the map.”

Paul says the name Triangle Farm is also a nod to the triangle being the strongest shape.

“And the three points [of a triangle] also symbolise produce, place and people – the three most important elements in food,” Paul says.

Over the last four years, River Cottage Australia has been nominated for a number of TV industry awards, including best lifestyle show at the recent Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, it has attracted weekly audiences of up to 132,000 people and sold thousands of cookbooks, but perhaps its greatest achievement is the mark the show leaves on the community that took it on.

Farewell River Cottage Australia – fingers crossed you come back one day.

#Stay up to date with Paul West and his life after River Cottage Australia, Paul has made a new home in Melbourne and is working for the ABC – find out more. (June 2018)

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lynn verrier8:03 pm 17 Apr 22

Such a shame that this epic show was scrapped. It was a smorgasboard of everyday interesting things from gardening to cooking and more and our family loved it to bits.Never missed a show and watched all the re-runs. It was a journey that we shared with Paul as he made the farm a viable operation. I am still trying to find the pumpkin seeds that Paul planted years ago because they would be perfect for our much smaller vegetable patch. Class shows like this dont come along often enough and dont derseve to be side-lined and we, the viewers, dont deserve to lose a wonderful, educational, entertaining show such as this. And yes, we all miss digger as well! 🙂

Hayley Rafferty7:18 pm 09 Feb 22

Bring it back-very good reality TV unlike mafs

Roslyn Thompson5:03 am 30 Jan 22

I loved the show. Still watch it now when it repeats. I found digger to be very intelligent. I loved the way they come together as a community. I had no idea Paul didn’t own the farm.

Kathy Hutchcraft8:04 pm 01 Jan 22

Thank you Paul, you gave a lot of people the insensitive to do more gardening and produce growing watching you show.It tought some people how to start .Will miss watching your show do hope you will do more shows. So educational.

My hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Looked forward to watching it every night.
Always put a positive note and inspiration before calling it a night..
Very heart broken that there will be no new episodes made..
Hopefully there might be a change of heart.

Margie Dolan1:44 am 14 Jan 21

I absolutely loved River Cottage Paul and all the community were wonderful as well as Digger. I found the serial educational, rewarding and most of all real and refreshing. This show should continue and make it grow showing all the ways from different farms , cooking, and showing how all communities have one goal living life the way we can healthy and loving the environment with respect. Well done to everyone who were involved in the making i looked forward to seeing every show thank you .

Justin floyd12:28 pm 19 Aug 20

It has long been a dream of mine to achieve what Paul, his family, and the team accomplished. It saddens me that the series has ended, yet I am glad they had the oppertunity to exsperience it. The show has inspired me to travel with my state during these troubled times and exsperience what this beautiful country has to offer.

Lorraine Grosser6:53 pm 02 Aug 20

Very angry and sad that this wonderful show was axed. Paul and all of us viwers were treated with absolute contempt. I really thought that Foxtel was better than that. Shame, shame!!!

Although viewing time is late. Always watch. A great show. Most enjoyable More please

I don’t like many tv shows but I love this. Watching it now on SBS. Would love to see Paul back at River Cottage.

Loved the show, very sad that we won’t be watching Paul face and overcome challenges to make this beautiful spot a success. I enjoyed watching the connections he made with the locals. It taught me a lot about where our food comes from, the effort it takes to produce it and the enjoyment you get when cooking with produce you’ve grown yourself. Will miss the show and the magnificent scenery.

And if Matt feels like doing a run down to Pambula, stock the truck.

Piss poor, Paul came into our homes and the repeats I am still watching. Can’t believe the place wasn’t his and just a mystique for viewers. He is great and amazing with the community.

Marion Van de Pol11:33 pm 18 Nov 19

So sorry to see this show go off air. I loved it and so did my friends. I have many sessions recorded and refer to them often. Bring River Cottage back. Pleasseee.
I have never posted this comment before.

Marion Van de Pol11:32 pm 18 Nov 19

So sorry to see this show go off air. I loved it and so did my friends. I have many sessions recorded and refer to them often. Bring River Cottage back. Pleasseee.

Really fantastic family show that we all love to watch. Gives us ideas on how to adapt our property to be more self sufficient, which in this current society is a must! Please bring it back.

I keep on watching the episodes on FOX. Better than all those cooking, renovation, dating and other stupid reality crap.

Please bring it back ;-;

One of the best Australian produced TV series. Absolutely loved it and very sad that it’s all finished. Added interest when Paul said he was born in Murrurundi because my dad was born there and my great grandfather, Alfred Alford, was once the town’s one and only farrier and blacksmith. Other surnames in our extended family for that region are Watson and Hunt; maybe Paul’s parents have heard of them. If it is possible I would love to chat with Paul or his parents.

I hate that the show is over I sat till 11pm waiting for it to come on very enoyed as I got to look forward to the show & what went on on the show what an upset to read it’s over can’t the show get more backing & start again what a shame I loved it!! I live on a farm so I enjoyed watching all the episodes was very interesting will miss it thanks for that brief show it was outstanding

Matt mitchell7:43 pm 13 Aug 19

We miss the show . With its connection with a real community , growing stuff and the how to stuff made it great show . Put it back on

Lisa Macdonald12:51 pm 10 Aug 19

We watch the show every time it’s on we love seeing Paul and Digger who is the star of the show and of course Bessie the jersey cow it definatley looks a nice place to live and all the animals look happy going to miss it for sure.

Donna Mcleod1:43 pm 26 Jul 19

Love this show , love Tilba been up that way on many a holiday . This show has taught me so much about farming living off the land a total community spirit. Sad to just learn that I won’t be seeing Paul , Digger and Daisy on my tv screen . Hopefully it makes a comeback.

Jennifer Anderson6:27 am 26 Jul 19

I’m sorry to say that I’ve just found Pauls TV show and now I don’t miss a single one. Even when I am away I tape it. I just love the show and the lifestyle it portrays. It’s a hard, busy and rewarding life and Paul is just the right person for it, a wonderful personality. There should be more of these programs where people watching can see life as it is. Best of luck to Paul in his next venture.

Love this program.
Paul, the community of kind people and of course, Digger.
The show has restorative qualities and anyone who loves it as I do will understand what I mean!
I watch it with glee !

I absolutely loved the show and still watch it every time repeats are shown.
It is inspiring on so many fronts,the home grown element and all the benefits that offers, the community that exists with this hard labour way of life, the commitment to excellence and of course all the wonderful tips and tricks about cooking and growing/raising home spun food.
Thank you Paul West ..you were inspiring with your obvious passion for all things raw..how incredibly refreshing in this modern world of quick fix and the lost art of offering food from the heart. I hope the show gets new legs!!!
I have been looking for a community to live in that is all things sustainable and, but for the cold climate and lack of sea close by to swim in, would have moved to the area for all it offers.

David MARTIN9:49 pm 11 Jul 19

Dam shame that it was terminated and that Paul didn’t buy the farm and wasn’t able to make enough running it, at the end of the day who else would make a tree change if this farm wasn’t sustainable without the income from the TV show

Leanne Hasluck7:34 am 27 Jun 19

Please bring River Cottage Australia back it was a awesome real life show. So sad 😭 it’s gone
Paul West is a beautiful sole

Good bye to a truly great show.
I have loved every minute of it and was admired and was inspired by Paul and his guests.
Reading the comments it is very true what has been said about being part of a community.
The show certainly reflects this as what it is to run a small farm, the involvement of the local people and living on the land.
Its a real shame that this is the end
To Paul, his wife and family, good luck for the future.
Thank you very much.
Greg Howard

I absolutely love this show and really admire Paul. I would be a firm viewer if “the powers to be” decide to continue producing this show. Fingers crossed we will be seeing Paul at River Cottage again.

Please reconsider ……

Regards Rosie Thompson

Very disappointed that it has gone into hiatus another fave show have apparently gone down the gurgler

Our whole family loved this show – even the teenage kids, believe it or not. We would wait each week for the next episode and watch it together over dinner. So sad that it won’t be coming back.

More River Cottage Australia. We love it in the UK

Elli antoniou10:51 am 22 Sep 18

Loved this show!! Soo disappointed that it’s bn cancelled!!

Margaret Thomas12:21 am 02 Aug 18

Waching river cottage Australia here in england, love the show never miss it, hope it does return. Best of luck to all.

I really miss the show. Watched it without fail. It reminds me of the dorrigo where I came from on a farm at moleton. Sorry to see it go

I really miss the show ,it was one of the highlights of the tv week. The replays on SBS keep me going but I sincerely hope the show comes back. My 90year old mother also watches the show whenever she can. Please come back River Cottage Australia.

HI FOLKS – WE LOVED PAUL’S FARM SHOW – A BIG MISTAKE NOT CONTINUING IT – I GREW UP ON FARMS IN IRELAND – IT LEFT THAT OTHER SIMILAR PROGRAM FOR DEAD ! – THANX PAUL – I AM GLAD YOU SHOWED ALL OF FARMING IN IT’S TRUE REALITY AND NOT EDITED TO SUIT THE DO-GOODERS / GREENIES / SO-CALLED NICE FOLKS !- TELL HIM THE STAR OF THE SHOW IS DIGGER ! – J.C.

I would love to see Paul and Digger Dog back at a River Cottage again. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole series, from the great recipes, the wonderful exploits and adventures that Paul and Digger got up to and especially the community spirit that shined through the people, the place and their wonderful organic fresh food.
Come back again…

Audrey Whyley6:25 pm 13 Jun 18

Sad to have seen the last of Paul & River Cottage…it was a superb series and I didn’t miss an episode. It was very seeable, very enlightening & amused thousands of people. It should have continued on and on

Gordana Delic12:05 pm 10 Jun 18

Just started watching the show and I am smitten. It takes me to a happy place , sometimes I don’t watch it for a few days so I can binge watch. So I just go back to the begging and rewatch them. It’s very disappointing that it’s been put on hold, I found it very inspiring on different levels. A show well done10/10 ❤️

Kerry Swinnerton1:36 pm 04 Jun 18

I am sad to see that there isn’t going to be any more RCA because it was a thoroughly enjoyable show. I’ve purchased all the series on DVD so I can watch the different dishes that Paul made during the show……and now I see that Paul has given up the south coast and moved to suburban Melbourne, I’m even more disappointed that he is living in suburbia, although I enjoy his occasional appearance on Gardening Australia.

Sorry to see it end. Not all that many good clean family shows on TV. Bring it back.

I just love that program and so does my dog. We watch it together. Please keep filming. 😩🐾🐾

Yeah an ok show but so staged it lost all semblance of real farm!

I have loved watching every minute of River Cottage Australia have recorded all the programmes and have watched them many times. Digger u are so beautiful you enjoy life living with
Paul and his family. Will miss u all.

Missing the series. Was an uplifting and encouraging tv series. I learned a lot from watching Paul cook.I live in hope that someone shows some intelligence and reinstates the show.

Alison Perry6:52 pm 15 May 18

Whatta pity this programme has ceased – it is like a bright light in a sad and crazy world and shows how a life well lived with integrity can be hugely enriching, without costing enormous amounts of dosh!
River Cottage is always an uplifting and joyous to watch – especially before the horrors of SBS world news(!) so THANK YOU to Paul West and all involved for a really enjoyable example of how hard work can bring true rewards. Very sad the programme is concluding, but hope it will return in some guise or another – we need it! All the best for future endeavours – and thanks so much for the amazing programme!

Tracey Perkins4:10 pm 12 May 18

We really have enjoyed River Cottage Australia and sobhope thecserues comes back. Paul has so inspired me. Like him I love cooking for friends and gardening. This year I have been inspired to grow more vegetables. Good luck Paul. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Tracey Perkins, Isle of Man

Gutted. Such an inspirational show ! Will miss it.

Verona De Marchi10:15 pm 04 May 18

We are so sad to see River Cottage finish. It is so honest and pure Australian. My three year old grandson has been watching it since 6 months old and knows all people and animals by name. Excellent education for children. We have all DVDs of the production. A thousand thanks to all concerned.

Kevin McCaskie6:35 pm 27 Apr 18

Great show. Love the sense of in touch with nature. And Digger’s a ripper.

Just Gutted when I found out it was all over. We live Nth West Tasmania on 30 acres and process our own beef, lamb and vegies. Bring it back PLEASE.

David Pollock7:33 am 21 Apr 18

We loved the show and would like to see more.

I absolutely love River Cottage and Paul West who is the gem that makes this show so entertaining and enjoyable. It’s a welcome relief from the other over commercialised cooking and lifestyle shows. I think Paul West oozes charisma and charm while being fantastically masculine, sensitive and genuine. I think the show would be a hit in many countries and would also show case the beautiful location and setting. Wouldn’t be surprised if Paul west is snapped up by another channel as he is so engaging with Super Star qualities and deserves more opportunities to showcase his talent. Very sad to see it coming to an end.

Clodagh jones6:20 pm 18 Apr 18

I’m so sad River Cottage Australia is no longer. The rural setting and community involvement is a welcome change from cops and robbers programs and depressing news items shown on TV. We need more programs offering a country living in rural Australia apart from life on outback stations.

David Martin8:59 am 10 Apr 18

Its a shame , Paul seemed to be living an idealic life ,we all dream of being self sufficient but obviously his income was not enough to buy the farm from the owner and sustain himself and I guess the slaughtering of the animals was enough to put some off watching

Helen and Neil Cooper11:18 am 31 Mar 18

We are devastated that there is no more River Cottage. We saw Paul on Gardening Australia on Friday night and suspected something was up. This is the only TV show that was honest and true. Good luck Paul and family and of course Digger. We will miss seeing you on our TV screen.
We look forward to seeing you again Paul on another TV show as you are a natural. 🙂

It wasn’t honest and true. It turned out to be a sham. The way the host was talking about how he got small farmer grants to help build the dam and fences made me think that he owned the property. It’s owned by the production companies it was just a TV show set

Geraldine Duncan6:57 am 30 Mar 18

Still missing River Cottage Australia. Hope Paul and family doiing well. Interested to see if the urban sustainability concept can get funding and link back to the community
both rural and urban.

Glen and Barbara Cousin2:53 am 29 Mar 18

Bring back paul and river cottage australia. Quality tv with a wonderful host who is down to earth. Great austalian content . We need more river cottage!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wayne Davenport9:19 pm 28 Mar 18

My wife and i love the show and were hoping it would return but now the farm is sold so would be hard to bring back i guess, but if there is a way, do it!!!!!

Been watching from the UK, addicted to the River cottage series. Watched all of Hughs UK and now all of Paul’s foraging and self sustainability.
There’s nothing better than watching beautiful countryside both in the UK & Australia and different ways of life, cooking with foraged roadside edibles.
I’m quite envious watching people with amazing life and I’m riddled with pain rarely seeing the such beauty.

Frances Toogood3:54 am 02 Mar 18

Really sad that River Cottage has been shelved, it was a perfect programme for the whole family. I believe that this show was a great encouragement for people to get out there and grow some of their own produce.
We have also learnt a lot about areas in Australia we have never visited but would now be tempted to go.
We believe it is very short sighted to shelf this series as it offered so many different interests to different people.

This makes me so sad. My husband and I absolutely love watching this show and so do our two small children. It was so nice to have an amazing family friendly show to watch. We have learnt so many things along the way to implement with our own veggie patch etc and I love cooking the recipes. This is really disappointing.

Carolina Reece11:55 pm 06 Feb 18

Hi,

We have only just started watching River Cottage when it went to free to air and are so sorry that its not continuing. So nice to have good honest TV to watch where there is still community spirit and everyone is happy to share their skills. Also loved all the locals. Paul himself is such a personality. We saw him at Brisbane Regional Food and Wine and he is such a character. It was standing room only to hear Paul talk that day. Hopefully one of the free channels will pick him up…the Australian public is crying out for real TV and great home cooking.
Paul you are a national treasure and we will wait to see who is lucky enough to star you in another show. We loved that cheeky Digger too. Hopefully SBS will continue the seasons that have already been shown on Foxtel.

I have been a Chef for over 50 years and I loved the show. What a shame it was cancelled.
Paul you and digger were great!!!

I have watched nearly all the seasons, and only found out by googling ‘Paul West’ did I find out that there will be no more ‘River Cottage Australia’…..I’m gutted!! With so much garbage on TV…I looked forward to watching this program……Great show….very disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I have just found this show and disappointed that it is not continuing . The idea of creating a small farm in a very lush country environment is breathtaking to watch , not having any cocking abilitity it is dynamic to see all the food that can be source and created from a regional environment and not from the local Coles supermarket.
Great show!!
Disappointed

Donna Kahler8:22 am 06 Jan 18

Can’t believe it!!! Downloaded and am watching the previous seasons. Have Paul’s cookbook and have tried some recipes. My navy son is home after 12mths and we were looking for SEASON 5. Have subscribed to Foxtel for a decade and can’t believe they do rubbish like GOOGLE BOX over RCA. Disappointed in you Foxtel!
Good luck Paul and family and the local Tilba and surrounds community. Hope to see a return some time in the future.

I’m not impressed. Bring river cottage back NOW…..

It is so unfortunate and sad to lose River Cortage Australia to our ever growing commercial world of heavily edited and scripted shallow television.

River Cottage Australia was the only Australian programme which was so beautifully based on our authentic and rich Aussie country lifestyle.

It did a remarkable job of keeping our audience well connected with the natural and organic aspect of nature and this beautiful planet.

So disappointed to see it go.

If you have to watch a cooking show (which you do) this program is a great blend of food and origin. Gardening Australia have just said “thank you very much”, now pinching the concept. Further in an era of ratbag TV programs this was one of the only sensibly real, productive and enjoyable shows and Australian at that. Ah well back to travelling Europe with Michael on the train.

I live in a smallish village in Woodend Vic. In the Macedon Ranges and RC have us so many ideas to try on our 5 acres, sadly missed.

Deborah Clare6:39 am 29 Nov 17

Cannot believe this awesome cooking show is going to be scrapped. Paul West is such a fabulous, funny, interesting, lively presenter. Certainly gives Hugh a run for his money!! We all have to endure so much garbage on television these days, so many tasteless reality shows shoved in our faces all week. We could do with bringing back some good wholesome family values which this show portrays. It is so refreshing and uplifting watching Paul on the farm, cooking and interacting with the people of Tilba. So annoying that Hugh kept his show going in England for years and then this one which is much more interesting to my mind gets dropped!! i will miss both Paul and Digger sorely.

In days gone by the old saying was when you are on to a good thing stick to it. But not anymore such a great shame that this beautiful show is put on hold. Thanks to Paul, Digger and all the people of the Triangle area all very best you make Australia proud well done. You’ll all be missed in this house hold.

Seeing River Cottage Australia was back on TV has made my day! I’ve missed Paul, Digger and all the animals and people of Tilba. I’ve got two items on my Xmas wish list this year. The DVD set and a wish for a new series of RCA. Fingers crossed for this delightful and entertaining program.

russell pearson8:03 am 29 Oct 17

I loved River Cottage, both UK and AU, and will miss it very much, it is one of the very few reality shows I will watch, as most of them seem very contrived and false. I wish everyone concerned with the show all the best and good luck for the future.

Absolutely loved River Cottage Australia. Have watched every episode of each series since day 1. So sad that show has been placed on hold and seeing the property in Punkalla Tilba road has been sold dont expect the show will return so we travelled from Auckland to visit Tilba and the surrounding district to get a first hand feel from what has brought a heap of pleasure to us over the years. Good luck Paul and family for whatever lays ahead and thanks for the memories.

Please bring back RIver Cottage Australia!
Paul West is a natural on television, his enthusiasm for what he does is infectious and there really are lots to learn and discover from this worthwhile show -whether it’s with plants and gardening or cooking yummy recipes or taking care of livestock or just getting to know the absolutely lovely area of Tilba & its fabulous community! We know Paul gets paid for being on the show but really, it is his love for what he does and that he is a genuine sort of guy who really cares for his craft which is the real drawcard for many viewers of the show.

So come on SBS. Pick up the mantle where Foxtel had left. River Cottage Australia is a true GEM of a show. There’s a legion of existing fans out there who would be forever grateful to you – and no doubt you’ll be garnering plenty of new ones along the way!

I just watched it for the first time on Sbs last night and i absolutley LOVED it. It was the episode where he got his first pigs. Cant wait to catch up on all the episodes. My kids will love to watch it.

Love RCA so much there is nothing else like it on Australian TV that shows the true Australia. Such a great show love Pauls realness, he’s a true character. Please come back for season 5.
Cam

River cottage brought back the Aussie spirit of self sufficiency and showed us that we can live outside of the big cities and that it is okay to dream of an alternative lifestyle. The TV program will be sadly missed especially Paul West who gave his very best notable his culinary skills and his love of country.

Poor Digger! All that land to run about on and now he’s stuck in a suburban backyard, bored witless. Shame Shame Shame!

Lost my soul … grieving at the loss of RCA.

So sad :(( I have only recently discovered RCA which has been airing on SBS every week night at 6pm – who needs the 6 o’clock news with all its doom and gloom when you can watch this delightful show. Paul was a wonderful host. Loved absolutely everything about it. Good luck to you Paul and your lovely family.

Only recently discovered RCA and absolutely loved it . Paul is just so down to earth, enthusiastic and capable and the show really inspired me with its combination of sustainable farm life and food. Very disappointed that it has been cancelled and I wish Paul and family all the best.

We also love river cottage which is still on Tv each night (sbs 6pm) we dropped in last week to catch up with locals in bermagui, tilba, cobargo , its message is clear , good living, hard work, friendship, community, laughter, we look forward to a return series, hopefully with Paul and digger?!!

Brenden Saul11:15 pm 23 Sep 17

My wife and I loved watching the series. It isn’t often a TV show has real lovable characters that everyone can relate to.
Within the 1st series we already wanted to visit Tilba. By the end of the 4th you want to live there.

It is a shame the investors don’t see the long term investment in a show like this. The audience would have kept growing.
With cooking classes that were already added and adding farm stays, this could have been even bigger.

Hope to catch up with Tilba soon, we wish Paul and his family the best. Thank you Paul, the crew, and Tilba for such an awesome series where real people were able to share part of their lives with us all. You have a piece of heaven there.

Tragic – a show for the whole family with wonderful animals and great recipes. Please bring it back. Hope Paul is happy with his lovely family, and that Digger is part of his family!
We need more authentic Aussie programmes which illustrates life in the country, the wonderful community spirit which give those living in towns and cities a view of the spectacular Australian scenery.
PLEASE BRING IT BACK!

I grew up in the country on Eyre peninsula, Moved to the city when I was young to find work, living in the hum drum and every day life of the city, people forget the country life style, My husband died 7 years ago and I decided to move. I have 2 blocks of land and have got right into gardening etc.
I found your show an inspiration, something to bounce off, get hints, tips from, and to view ideas in another prospective
I will miss the episodes…
cheers Liz

Lorraine Pansini12:51 am 16 Sep 17

Such a shame that commercialism wins the day again. Having recently made our own sea change move from Perth WA to beautiful Evandale Tas, we thoroughly enjoyed looking at similar scenery in Tilba. The work and love that Paul, his family and team have put into developing the farm is outstanding. We have always enjoyed River Cottage UK and it was great to see Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall visit Paul. However, we can relate so much more to an Australian series. Please consider the wishes of other viewers and re-consider returning River Cottage Australia to our screens. Whatever happens, best of luck Paul to you and your lovely family.

Tanya Williams1:13 pm 14 Sep 17

Thank you Paul for such a wonderful heartfelt country series. Please give Digger a hug for me.
I am watching River Cottage Australia on SBS and am saddened to read that the project and series has come to an end. Many Australians do not have Pay TV – so we have only just begun our love affair with the show, down to earth Paul and his growing family and of course the animals – especially Digger and Bessy. I am so sorry about Ron.
You are making changes in people’s lives, their backyards and kitchens at grass root levels. As a gardener and a cook I love the yummy recipes. I love the honesty and the relationships between the local food producers.
The time for sustainable living, growing and purchasing food locally is now! Come on producers “a Return to River Cottage Australia” is the next logical step… Australia is waiting….
Cheers Tanya

Thanks for a great show. Made me long for my perfect childhood on the farm.

This is one of the few shows on television that is worth watching. It brought us back to SBS and caused us to watch many more SBS programs. I don’t understand the decisions that programmers make. This is a good show, it isn’t reality trash – it is reality treasure.

Popular television in this day and age means utterly deplorable shows like Big Brother or The Housewives series or some reality shows which are frankly an insult to one’s better judgment. RCA is a truly worthwhile televison production which has touched many viewers, not just nationally but globally as well judging from viewer feedback from other countries. What Paul West is doing on his farm is not just about planting his vegetables or growing his livestock or cooking his produce. He is passionate about his work on the farm, showing respect and love for the land and the animals, the importance of community – of looking out for one’s neighbors, of comradeship, generosity and trust and in sharing in the goods of the land. How Paul and the rest of the Tilba community goes about doing what they love are very good examples of responsible stewardship of the land they live in. How absolutely inspirational television! What a wonderful facet of Australia to show to the world because yes – the world is interested! How sorely lacking is Australian television of shows of this genre and what an absolute shame that is.
Most unfortunately Foxtel is no longer interested. Not much profit to be gained from the show maybe. Somehow payTV channels believe showcasing ‘badness’ is more popular and profitable than highlighting ‘goodness’ in shows such as RCA. It’s all about profits and popularity- never mind that being ‘popular’ in this day and age is nothing to aspire towards.

Keep doing what you love Paul! We miss you and wish you and your family including Digger all the very best. Maybe one day in the near future we’ll see you back on our tv screens again!

Having just discovered River Cottage this year on SBS at 6 pm where I am, I can tell you it is the ONLY daily show on television that I watch faithfully. I will miss it terribly and I’m very very sorry to see it go. I wish the whole community could chip in to buy the property and have Paul manage it — a great place for his growing family and Digger to get on with their lives. I did suffer watching some of the kills (for some reason particularly the ‘disabled’ chick) and I’m a very limited meat eater but the message of table to plate produce, free range eggs, etc, ecologically responsible farming methods, sustainability, the importance of community, education, etc is needed even more today than when the show started production. I came on this page by random when I was looking for more info about Paul being at the Bangalow Markets on Saturday but I hope someone gets this message so late.

I have only just discovered River Cottage Australia… well, I did know about it because my sister was always raving about it… but then I wasn’t in a position to ever watch it, until just recently.. where I sat down and watched all of them in the last three days… I must say it has changed the way I see my 10 hectares and I will certainly be using some of the fantastic ideas and recipes that have come out of each segment. I’ve loved the series and concept so much… and also very sad to see it has come to an end…. but the legacy of the series will live on, because it is just a matter of popping it into the DVD player and being inspired all over again.. and again… and again. thanks for putting together a fantastic series and to all the people involved.

Matthew Louis11:38 am 02 Sep 17

Wow, River Cottage has been such an addictive event at my house. I can’t think of one episode that I wasn’t on the edge of my seat. We record it and sometimes watch 3 or 4 shows a night!
Yes the community feels really warm and genuine. How good is life on the south coast, congratulations Paul and Digger and thankyou Tilba!

Could you please advise me about the episode on Honey Bees, any information would be appreciated.
Love the show
Many thanks
Moya Shanks

Very disappointed that river cottage has been cancelled. I bought a similar property and over the past 4 years I have been following RCA and using some of the advice from the show.
Was one of the best shows for the whole family with realistic shows.
Far better than anything else on tv today.

I am astounded that river cottage is not being continued. One of the few reality tv shows that we watch. With all the rubbish on free to air tv this was a shining light imo. Hope sanity prevails and it returns soon. Cheers Paul west and crew genuinely great tv.

Daphne Matthews9:31 am 20 Aug 17

Paul my friends and I miss river cottage so much. Why oh why did they take it off. I am so sick of all the repeat shows Foxtel put on each and every week. Your show was a breath of fresh air all new and interesting. I am sure Hugh was a little disappointed that it would not continue. I wish you well your wife and son and the new baby to. Maybe one day you can do it all again starting of small just like Hugh and get one of the TV channels to take it up. Anyway I wish you all the best

River Cottage Australia is great family viewing, in fact one of the best series on TV! Please bring it back!!

Denise Gasparich11:58 am 16 Aug 17

We thought the film was for ‘real’ . However still love watching and very sorry it is to be discontinued.
Paul is a likeable believable man. It has sure put Tilba on the map.

Dee and Mitch

Rhonda Michelle Hill5:29 pm 12 Aug 17

This sucks. Bring back River Cottage

Does anyone think that perhaps a “Go Fund Me” could be organised to have a private production on the same theme with our hairy faced chef / farmer involved? Still watching the series at the moment

I just love IT. NO more to be said really, BRING IT BACK, please

Natalie & Dave1:26 pm 10 Aug 17

My partner & I love River Cottage Aust and am dumbfounded as to why it had to end. All the best wishes to Paul & family, huge hugs to Digger. Why do we have to suffer the rubbish served up on TV when there is such quality and inspirational shows like yours. Very sad, Natalie & Dave

One of the few quality shows on television. It is the 1st show in years I have looked forward to getting home from work to watch. There is so much rubbish on television and River Cottage was a refreshing quality program. Let’s hope it comes back in the future.

Selina Maddern12:18 pm 08 Aug 17

I grew up in Bega and visited Tilba, Bermagui, Cobargo and Narooma on occasions. Watching the show brought back memories as a child and teenager. My grandfather and mother were dairy farmers in The Bega Valley.
I didn’t know what I had until I moved to the Gold Coast! seriously considering moving back as I miss that community spirit and sustainable lifestyle. Of course having children has inspired that thinking as well as watching River Cottage and my son wanting a farm full of animals.
I loved all the episodes especially the Bega Show as we went there every year! Good to see some familiar faces too! People who know the good life and stick around country life.
The far south coast NSW truely is beautiful and as someone once said “surfing in the morning, snow skiing in the afternoon! Not too many places you can do that?!?

Best show in years!
It was lovely to see a community help each other out and it was inspirational to watch the farm grow!
Hopefully it will be back soon, as television is mostly rubbish now.
Sad to see such a gem go!

Very disappointing.

Valerie Gilbertson10:39 am 03 Aug 17

I have been thinking I must have missed the new series of River Cottage Australia. I finally got around to trying to find an airing date and what I found was devasting. I can’t believe it is not going to continue. It was so enjoyable to watch a show that any member of the family could watch what with all the rubbish that’s on the tv. It will be greatly missed. Thanks for all the lovely episodes.

I love i watch River Cottage . Please bring back this TV show.

Absolutely gutted. This was such a highlight of our viewing each evening, depicting real life and teaching kids the facts of life when it comes to food – where it comes from, how it’s grown as well as animal rearing for food. Such quality viewing when there is so much rubbish on TV. Thanks Paul West and all the local people who showed us there is life outside big cities. I think we have all learned something about values. My very best wishes to Paul and him family and a big hug for Digger!

The main problem appears to have been the difference in the UK and Australian shows set up. Hugh appears to have made a firm decision early in the UK project and invested into creating businesses to support his family and satisfy his passion for the River Cottage project. The Australian setup seems to be solely a media presentation on a lifestyle rather than building sustainable business ventures to create the lifestyle and educate like minded people. It is a shame it didn’t work because the differences between UK and Australian land and farming are significant and this series did manage to highlight this.
Unfortunately we live in a shallow world where so called reality shows ‘the Batchelorette and Yummy Mommies etc reign supreme. Good luck to Paul and others who worked on the series

Love the show,have watched all four seasons and am saddened that there is no season five. The great camaraderie exhibited by the people of the region showcase what country life is all about….everyone coming together to support each other, the community and share skills. The relationship of good wholesome meals produced from home grown foods and prepared in a gorgeous country kitchen is a winner,
We too have visited this region and seen the gorgeous town of Tilba and the villages of that area.
Fantastic series, please bring it back.

Andrea Ridley2:49 pm 27 Jul 17

Truly disappointed that the show has been cancelled really enjoyed watching as did my husband. Such a shame and a waste. The production company should be ashamed of themselves. UK

Hi Paul, yes it is sad that the series has ended. Better to be on a high at the finish. How about your own show on your new property with your growing family and Digger. “River Cottage the next move”.
Australian’s need more shows like yours mate. Waiting for your come back in the not to distant future.
Regards, Jim.

Such a shame to see River Cottage shelved . Note to the ABC … how about taking this on !

Fiona Stocker8:57 pm 22 Jul 17

The original River Cottage was a huge inspiration for myself and my husband here in our own farm and food property in Tasmania. Personally I’m interested in seeing the Production companies waking up to the fact that women do this sort of thing too – moving to the country, grafting on the land, making food, babies and businesses. My blog and my book are all about just that – living the good life in Tasmania. Apple Island Wife. It’s crowdfunding now!

What a shame this show is not continuing. I was just checking online to see when the show would be back only to see the bad news. Surely with all the American rubbish that passes for cooking shows we have room for a show with integrity such as River Cottage?

Nigel Bannister4:22 pm 08 Jul 17

Paul, Really sorry to hear of the shows demise- it was wonderful to watch you, Digger, and the stunning scenary and farming. I wish you every success in your next venure- and THANKS for all the insights into an amazing part of the world.
Nigel- Ireland

Ian Campbell10:32 pm 03 Jul 17

An update – the River Cottage Australia property has been sold, meet the new owner:
http://aboutregional.com.au/river-cottage-australia-at-central-tilba-sold-meet-the-new-owner/
Cheers
Ian
About Regional.

Paras Universal5:11 pm 29 Jun 17

Are there similar shows people can recommend as I really rather this than news, drama and reality.

Trying to explain to my 8 year old why this show isn’t on TV anymore and what has become of “Good girl Bessy” the “hungry hippos” (the pigs) the chooks and goats is quite challenging. She has gone from a very picky eater to willing to try, want to grow her own and take part in the kitchen.
With so much talk about children not being educated about food, where it comes from, the time invested to get food to the plate etc.. it very sad to have to close the book. Living in Sydney city we don’t have the yard sizes for elaborate gardens (at best it’s a herb pot) but RCA gave such an amazing insight into so many ways of life and taught my girl a new found appreciation of food that I was raised with. This was not only a great watch, it was educational, inspiring and emotionally investing. I do very much hope it does return. Good luck everyone who made the show what it was x

I’m so happy to have stumbled upon this great article. I, too, am/ was a huge fan of River Cottage Australia (and the original River Cottage UK – so much so that I made a point of eating at the River Cottage Canteen in Bristol on a trip to the UK back in April this year!). Having grown up on a small farm in central Tasmania I totally sensed the genuine community ethos of this endeavour. It wasn’t just a “TV Show”. I was also really happy that Paul identifies as Tasmanian. Maybe we could start an online petition and crowd funding campaign for Paul and Hugh to bring it back as an independent production?

Philippa Wightman1:10 am 21 Jun 17

I’ve recently discovered SBS Food Network and just yesterday caught a brief ad advertising the ‘new series’ of River Cottage Australia would be airing on that network on 3 July 2017.
Visited the SBS website, but there is no mention of it…
Am really, really REALLY hoping it is a new series and that RCA will be on our screens next month!
Squeeee!!!!!!!

Ian Campbell8:13 am 21 Jun 17

Hey Philippa – it’s not a new series, SBS will be screening what’s already been done – which is still fantastic news.
Ian

As I do not have Foxtel I was surprised to see the DVD set at the shop. Of course, I bought the whole series and it was worth it. I was disappointed to hear that the series is not going ahead, a pity the ABC doesn’t pick it up, I’m sure you will have a much bigger following then.
My partner and I are always looking at the native bush tucker around us and including them in our cooking. So this series is very relevant to our lifestyles in the Tropical North. I can only hope that Paul will continue along in another series. Goodluck. Maybe something with the Bushtucker Man from the North might be an idea?

Really disappointed that River Cottage Australia isn’t coming back. It’s one of the few shows I really enjoyed watching. Seriously considering cancelling my pay tv subscription now.

Francine Austin10:20 am 07 Jun 17

Watching a show now. 3rd time through the series…
Hubby and I are looking for our piece of paradise to build our river cottage lifestyle. We have visited Tilba, driven past the property.. true blue…
Thanks for the inspiration. We will miss your laugh Paul. God bless

Terry Bullock8:51 am 04 Jun 17

Sad to here that this great lifestyle show has been canned, an inspiration to any and all who wish to give the city the old heave ho, and seek the country living best depicted in the series, River Cottage Australia, good luck to Paul and his family, and good luck Kelly and with your decision to stay on in Tilba, and all the very best to all the guests, locals, crew and to the township of Tilba, and to the day I can too, share a frothy top at the pub with you all….

I was wondering when it was returning and found out it is done. I am super sad about that. This was one of my favorite shows. And I live in California!

Daniela Lawn10:52 am 24 May 17

Hello
Like all so sad that this has been cancelled and that Paul and his family have left the area. Just one question – after all the hard work that has been put into the property what will happen to it as it was such a beautiful place and have had the pleasure of being there in 2015.

Probably a commercial decision to cancel the show because of the number of viewers compared to other “reality” shows. Also, a Foxtel executive said “I lost count of how many goats got murdered”. Perhaps some people don’t want to face the reality of how meat actually gets to their tables.
The property which was purchased in 2013 for $650K was listed on the market last month for $895K.

Ian Campbell8:24 am 26 May 17

Keeping an eye on the sale of the property Daniela, will keep you posted, Cheers Ian

RCA something wholesome & truly educational that taught our city cousins about life cycles and sustainability. Sad news Australian viewers have lost a true gem of the grass roots kind. Positive that Paul West & family will pop up somewhere again & bring us another enriching service. The legacy left to the tourism of area will be enjoyed for many more years hopefully.

What can I say, other than total devastation. I have watched River Cottage UK, since the first episode, and was overjoyed to see the Australian version. I am a novice hobby farmer wanting to be self sufficient and having River Cottage sharing such precious and insightful information relative to Australia has been priceless. There is no other programs that gives volumes of information and resources relative to our beautiful country. My black thumb has turned a little greener and my husbandry skills have improved 10 fold due to River Cottage Australia. I was saddened to know that the farm is not owned by Paul and his family and that ownership is UK based. Thank you Paul, crew and every local involved, you have done us all proud, and I will pray for the day the show is again on air. Thanks from Far North Queensland.

I’m devastated. I love this show . I think the focus in seasons 3 & 4 on trying to make the farm pay its own way was a mistake. It was early days and the focus should have been on Paul, the farm and the area, not on selling food baskets and a food van.
We visited River Cottage HQ in England, had a tour and a meal. It was a fantastic experience and I was so hoping to do the same at Tilba. Please bring the show and the farm back. I always feel inspired to do more at our place after watching it.My son-in- law is hooked now too.
I love Paul’s exuberance and enthusiasm and the fact that he will give anything a go.

Dianne Fraser1:34 am 18 May 17

My husband and I enjoyed watching this programme which screened in New Zealand. Sad there will be no more. All the Best Paul to you and family not forgetting Digger.

Dianne Fraser

Have been waiting for the next series to start and really sad to read the show is on hold. The program has inspired me so much that I’ve returned from the UK with my family and bought 100 acres to have a go at living off the land. This show is like a reference guide for me, was really looking forward to learning more. Keep my fingers crossed that Paul and the crew will be back again soon

Hi RCA
I will miss the show a lot, really enjoyed the way Paul presented farm and small community life style the Australian way.
Come on Fox what about life on the Triangle Farm.
Kind Regards.
Mark

Oh no! Gutted!! I just did the same – went online to see when the next series is starting! Ditto so many of the comments above. It was the one programme our whole family sat down & made a point of watching altogether. A huge loss, given the amount of rubbish that’s on TV most of the time. We’ve been wondering about our Foxtel subscription too this last 6 months. Maybe this is the final straw for us.

Good luck to Paul & family as they move on to pastures new. You’ve inspired many people. Glad to hear Kelly fell in love with the place like the rest of us & that she has decided to stay. Good luck in her ventures too.

Hi guys
The only reason I subscribed to Foxtel was to view river cottage Australia!!!!!
I have seen every episode of river cottage and was wrapped RCA was conceived by Hugh and the Foxtel gang. Bitterly disappointed by the decision but that’s business!! I still don’t understand how half of the shows on Foxtel out rate RCA as I don’t watch them.
Fingers crossed that the ‘management team’ see sense and commission season 5 will be waiting

Like everyone here I have been waiting patiently for the return of River Cottage Australia. So disappointing to know it is not in the near future. My dream was to stay/live at the cottage. I hope it is not just left abandoned after all the work to make it into the wonderful, thriving place it was. I am sure Paul and his family will make Triangle Farm another thriving, family-oriented place. Lucky we didn’t make the trip last school holidays as previously planned.

Gail Chancellor10:05 pm 03 May 17

I cannot believe one of the best programs on TV, has been mothballed. There is an audience for this genre of program. Those ‘reality shows’ are part of the agenda to dumb down people, no violence, swearing, please bring it back.

Glenda Richardson1:13 pm 01 May 17

While wishing Paul and his family all the best in his new journey, my family will miss gathering around to watch the show and hoped to visit the farm one day. He has inspired my daughter to want to work on a farm, learn to be a chef, grow veg and edible flowers, practically follow in Pauls footsteps. My husband introduced me to River Cottage featuring Hugh 15 yrs ago or so and for foxtel to shelve the show is devastating, its disappointing for everyone. Hope they reconsider and give us back a quality show rather than current shows that encourage me to reconsider my subscription.

River Cottage Australia was one of the few programmes that has kept us keeping up our Foxtel subscription. Instead we are expected to enjoy low grade programmes with multiple ads throughout and still be prepared to pay for the pleasure. Pity Paul, we will miss you.
Janis

Ian Campbell11:24 am 27 Apr 17

Sorry to be the one to break the news to you Janis – lots of people are sad about it, me included!
Ian

My 11-year-old son has been waiting and waiting for this show to return, it was a family show we all loved to watch together and dream of living the life Paul lived. So sorry to see it gone.
I don’t get why Foxtel invest in all the other c$%p they make and cut something this wonderful.
Sad day, have to break it to him when he wakes up 🙁
Pat

Ian Campbell8:33 pm 20 Apr 17

It was wonderful, thanks Pat. DVD’s will have to do! Cheers Ian

So sad River Cottage Australia has been discontinued. So many reality TV shows are so contrived but this programme had all the earmarks of genuine love of the “outback” Australia. We have been to Tilba Tilba and enjoyed the town with all its various somewhat quirky stores. Paul was such a lovely man on the show and am sure he is like that in real life.
Maybe, just maybe Fox may have a rethink and at least have one more series soon. BTW, who actually owns the property??

Cathy Crawley10:36 am 08 Apr 17

I came across your page while looking for a start date on River Cottage as it usually starts in Autumn, I’m so sad to read it isn’t coming back to our tv screens! My young son and I have been avid viewers since it started, it was one of his favourite shows. While there are loads if reality tv shows and home reno shows there aren’t any others showing how to be self sufficient in an environmentally sustainable way. It’s a huge loss for parents like myself who want to teach the importance of ethical food production and life skills to their children. Let’s hope the prosucers have a change of heart.

Ian Campbell9:47 pm 08 Apr 17

Hey Cathy, sorry to be the one to break the news to you and you son. Lot’s of people liked the show for the same reasons.Ian

Stuart Wenham1:45 am 02 Apr 17

I am disappointed that it didn’t run into a 5th year but seeing as it as almost the same format as the English version with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall whose own version only lasted the same time until they had the follow on series, which were very successful, maybe they will follow with the same in the “return to river cottage series” we can only hope.

Ian Campbell1:50 am 02 Apr 17

Thanks Stuart, lets hope so
Ian

Very disappointed to hear that the program is on hold. All the best for your future, Paul and family. So glad Digger has a permanent home and family! Alan.

Ian Campbell9:31 pm 25 Mar 17

Thanks Alan, lots of people feel the same. Ian

What a disappointment to hear River Cottage is not returning in 2017. My 12 year old daughter has all the DVD’s and we watch them over & over. We are coming to Tilba at Easter just so we can see where it all happens. Good luck with everything Paul & family.

Ian Campbell12:29 am 14 Mar 17

Hey Donna, might see you around. Just a heads up. Since my story was written, Paul and his family have decided to move on and out of the area. So please dont come hoping to catch up with Paul at Triangle Farm. Don’t be surprised however to bump into Kelly Eastwood from the show who is the driving force behind the Easter Festival this year.
Cheers
Ian

Dear Paul and crew
My family and I really loved river cottage It is the only show our multigenerational family all watched. It was both educational and fun. We hope Paul and the crew return soon.

Ian Campbell1:51 am 11 Mar 17

Thanks for adding your thoughts to the mix Kathy. Ian

Dear River Cottage

Sad to not be watching the series again this year as it was a weekly highlight which was highly anticipated and helped us get through the week.
Having recently moved to Sydney for work the show was an inspiration for the way we would prefer to live and having been bought up on a farm it truely reflected the spirit and personalities of the rural and small town lifestyle.
Paul’s kindness, zest for life and genuine love of cooking and produce shone through our TV screen and it is hard to understand why the networks are not continuing this year with such an educational series, you simply cannot find a more genuine show which truely depicts a self sustaining lifestyle.
So long to you and the animals for now and all the best for the future, we truely hope you return to inspire us through our weekly grind in the near future

Regards Mat

So sad that I won’t have River cottage Australia to watch this year!
It is by far the most inspiring program for Australians to really understand the grass roots of living off the land. I know Paul had help at the farm but I spent 8 years on 23 acres on the Darling downs when my children were young (it must be said that you may need a supplementary income to enjoy this lifestyle) and River cottage actually was a good depiction of small holding life in Australia. The incorporation of all his neighbours wonderful produce and help is exactly what happens in so many places in our country. The younger generation in my family have loved it and it is not just a dream in their eyes, it is doable.
My hope is that it will return to help us learn even in small situations how to be self sufficient and admire our beautiful countryside.

Ian Campbell11:30 pm 04 Mar 17

Thanks Sue – the show certainly inspired the young ones in my life as well. Thanks for your comments. Ian

My husband and I absolutely love this show and even drove all the way down to Tilba Tilba so see The River Cottage. We hope it will return one day. The show was realistic and family oriented. Other shows these days a rubbish and very heavily scripted. Very disappointed that this show isn’t on anymore.

Ian Campbell10:48 pm 04 Mar 17

Spot on Edna, thanks for adding your thoughts to the mix.
Ian

Couldn’t agree more, bring back River Cottage Australia!!!

Karen Gergely7:48 am 03 Jun 17

Bring back River Cottage!!! We loved watching the series!!

I am really sad to read that the show has been decommissioned. My husband and I have only just discovered river cottage Australia. It is inspirational to clean living and sustainability
I actually thought the tv show was true life so am dissapointed to some degree
I hope that there is a change of heart and the show does do another season

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