Trent Jackson and his children. Photos: Supplied.
A blue and gold macaw called Esmay and Campos coffee surprise weary travellers in Jackson’s brick-paved courtyard at Harden.
For people who live in small towns and villages west of Canberra, the bigger surprise is three bakers under one roof.
In 2013 Trent Jackson, a carpenter from Yass who switched trades to become a baker, joined his wife Nicole in opening Jacksons Bakery. Nicole’s aunt and uncle were the previous owners.
The large dining room.
Trent begins baking cakes at 10 o’clock each night. The other bakers John Tancred and Ben Brady start work at midnight and 2 am. John commutes from Young. Before he leaves work early the next morning Trent lights a wood fire in the dining room, set up the night before by Nicole.
The bakers make vintage cream buns, neenish tarts, vanilla slices, butterfly cakes, caramel slices and lamingtons. And of course, meat pies (tradies love their meat pies). They also bake bread.
At 5:30 am, smelling warmly delicious, the bakery opens, except Saturdays when it opens at 6 am. It does not open on Sundays, which is a family day for Nicole and Trent and their five children, Harrison, Riley, Charlie, and twin girls Georgia and Tilly.
“This gives the staff a rest as well, even though it would be a good day to open for travellers,” Nicole says. “We may open when our kids grow up a little bit.”
Born and educated in Harden, Nicole’s life changed when a good friend moved to Yass and later introduced her to Trent, who lived at Yass. “I remember my friend saying to me, ‘He will be the nicest guy you will ever meet’,” Nicole says. “And she was right.”
When the Jacksons bought the bakery, which is around the corner from the main thoroughfare through Harden-Murrumburrah, it was only one shop front. They noticed the old forlorn tyre service next door was for sale, which they bought and remodelled into a large dining room adjoining their bakery. Trent’s carpentry skills were put to good use installing a large picture window at the front and ornate, timber and brick fireplace.
“We worked really hard to renovate and extend the bakery and cafe before we opened our doors,” Nicole says. “We created an outdoor dining area paved with old bricks which we call Jacksons Courtyard. The posts for the deck area are from an old paper mill in Gympie. We have a fruit theme including quince, lime, mandarin, lemon, apples and pears throughout the courtyard.”
Nicole says customers love Esmay. “Especially when she talks to them while they are on their way to the bathroom or dining outside. Children love the goldfish in the water under the fountain,” she says.
“We have had many people comment on our transformation. It’s rewarding when people appreciate all our hard work, “Nicole says.
More recently the Jacksons bought a sprawling old home on the main thoroughfare previously used as a doctors’ surgery, which they have converted for short-term accommodation.
“I think Harden is a beautiful town,” Nicole says. “It has so much potential, the more people who are here, the more businesses will make it grow.
“I take my hat off to anybody in a small business who gets in and has a go, because it is hard work,” she says.
Twins Georgia and Tilly.
The bakery employs eight staff. Lisa Hardman is head of the kitchen. A local girl, Lucy Chesworth is the head barrister. “Many of our travellers do not expect Campos coffee to be available out in the sticks,” Nicole says. “And we love that we can offer such an amazing brand of coffee to our locals.”
Opposite the Kruger Medical Centre, it is popular for sandwiches, and serves people travelling to and from Canberra, Wagga Wagga and Griffith on the Burley Griffin Way.
“We have many loyal local customers coming in every day for their morning coffee. Our tradies can’t go past a hot pie in the morning or a freshly made salad roll and a good old-fashioned custard tart for smoko,” Nicole says.
“Harden is a special little town in which I am proud to live. As a local business, we are very much part of the fabric of our community. Harden is a great place to raise children,” she says.
Original Article published by John Thistleton on The RiotACT.
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