Premier adopts gnomes from Kwinana farm

Gnomes have new homes after a longtime volunteer wrote to WA’s Premier seeking help.

Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan, Kwinana MLA and deputy premier Roger Cook, and Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby last month visited Mead Farm in Leda, where the trio of MPs adopted and re-homed gnomes within the farm.

The funds will go to HorsePower Peel Group — based at the farm — which uses horses to teach people with disabilities new skills and to discover new abilities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, HorsePower’s usual sales of jam fell as volunteers were unable to go out into the community.

Group president Ali Thomas said the jam team typically brought in about $26,000 a year in sales. Ms Thomas said they had turned to painting gnomes to help meet the shortfall.

Volunteer David Cole, who has Down syndrome, wrote to the Premier seeking his help to boost gnome sales

Mr McGowan said the letter was “excellent”.

“The jam ladies have been hamstrung over the course of this year,” he said.

“It’s only a $10 lease fee and the gnome idea is really good.

“We would like to promote the gnome idea, and the gnomes like it too because they want a home they can go to.”

HorsePower hopes eventually to have enough gnomes for a village that visitors can tour.

Mr McGowan said he hoped the farm would one-day rival Gnomesville in the Ferguson Valley.

To inquire about leasing a gnome, contact HorsePower at peel@horsepower.org.au.