He cut his teeth in the rural sector by starting out as a shearer and then in 1998 brought the Bethungra property off his father Graydon.

Mr Muller said his late father initially took ownership of “Nunlong”, in 1948 when he drew it as a soldier settler block. 

The family property, which is home to Mr Muller and his wife Maria, was also an ideal place for their four children to grow up. “I have always wanted to be a farmer … I always wanted to be on the land,” Mr Muller said. 

ADVANTAGES OF RURAL LIFE: “The season is being kind to us at the moment," he said. Good falls of rain boosted pastures and allowed for some oat crops to start to emerge well. 

And he said the current lamb market was as good as it had been. 

“All of the markets are looking good, wool is doing well too,” he said. 

Mr Muller said southern NSW farmers were also well positioned to major freight hubs and the large-scale livestock marketing centre in Wagga.

CHALLENGES: In 2006 more than 85 per cent of “Nunlong” was wiped out by the devastating New Years Day fires.

Mr Muller tells the story about fighting to save the hay shed and other vital infrastructure. 

And for 10 years from 2000 to 2010 the property was gripped by one of the worst droughts in Australian history.

GIVING BACK: Mr Muller is a staunch advocate of the Landcare movement. He is proud of the re-vegetation projects and fencing of native trees which has taken place on “Nunlong”. He conceded that some of the projects were wiped out or setback during bush fires but overall his involvement in the Junee Landcare group – which is affiliated with Murrumbidgee Landcare – had delivered positive outcomes. 

In addition to his involvement in Landcare Mr Muller is also a past president of the Illabo Show Society and is still actively involved in helping to run the event.

He helps out with the popular and well-known Illabo Campdraft and takes pride in the success of the annual Country Music Stampede. The event will notch up it’s 30 anniversary in April next year. “For me it is an unbelievable lifestyle and I loved bringing kids up here,” he said.

Mr Muller said the sense of community was invaluable during both the good times and the tough periods. “There is certainly community spirit,” he said.

THE FUTURE: His children all have an affinity for agriculture. One son farms neighbouring country at Bethungra. Another son is embarking on an engineering career in Sydney and another is a green keeper with the West Wyalong Golf Club and his daughter lives in Brisbane.