Creating connection through Creativity

Tina Skipper (Allan 1991) has combined her love of creativity, people and the natural environment to create My Rural Retreat, a unique workshop and retreat experience set on her and her husband Tom’s working cattle property, Cabarfeidh, in Northern New South Wales.

Tina established guesthouses on the property many years ago, and from there her retreats and creative events naturally evolved. Surrounded by bushland and living in a wonderful old garden, with 200 year old oaks and Elms, Tina has created a welcoming space where women can step away from the busyness of everyday life to connect, learn and create.

Through My Rural Retreat, Tina collaborates with talented artists and presenters from across Australia to deliver workshops covering a range of interests, including gardening, wellbeing, arts and design. Guests gather in a dedicated studio space, complete with an open fireplace, while lunches are often shared in the historic Cabarfeidh garden, with ingredients sourced from Tina’s own kitchen garden.

Women of all ages travel from across the country to attend the retreats, where they share stories, creativity and laughter while learning new skills and forming lasting connections.

For Tina, creativity is simply part of everyday life. “There is not a day that goes by when I am not creating,” she says, whether that be in her garden, in her home, or through the experiences she curates for others. Tina also runs her own Gardening Days, she is a passionate gardener and after studying Horticulture later in life, has recently started consulting in Garden Design and is really looking forward to helping people create their own beautiful spaces.

Old Grammarians interested in learning more about Tina’s work and upcoming retreats can explore her website and discover the inspiring community she has created through My Rural Retreat.