A vibrant life at Oakridge

Some of the best conversations happen in a kitchen filled with love, good food, and great company, and for the Talarico family — Meg, Graeme, Olivia, and Evelyn — this couldn’t be more true.

After purchasing their Edwardian heritage-style home, beautifully named Oakridge, in 2017, the family has settled in effortlessly on their 12 hectare property on the outskirts of Tatura.

With Graeme’s Italian heritage, the kitchen has naturally become the heart of their home — a space where family recipes are shared, rich sauces simmer on the stove, and laughter fills the air.

“We were actually looking at properties for my brother to purchase and just happened to stumble upon Oakridge,” Meg said.

“We had always loved spending time in cottages on holidays, and when we saw this place, we instantly fell in love with its old-world charm.”

Built in the early 1900s, Oakridge is a Federation-style home — uniquely Australian, but heavily influenced by the British Edwardian aesthetic.

The home features light-filled living areas, a modern kitchen and large glass doors leading to landscaped gardens.

A wide hallway with polished floors and high ceilings guides you into grand-sized bedrooms and stylish, cosy living spaces.

Each space exudes an elegant charm complete with metal pressed patterned roofing and ornate pressed cornices.

Stained-glass windows with delicate floral patterns beautifully illuminate the interiors, while an abundance of natural light streaming through an array of windows enhances the home’s warmth.

Fireplaces throughout the home add a final touch of charm and comfort, making Oakridge a true sanctuary for the Talarico family.

“It wasn’t just the home itself that caught our attention, and as soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the grandeur of the trees, once planted by hand,” Graeme said.

“It’s a sense of privacy, a connection to nature, that really makes this place special.

“The beauty of this property is its natural vegetation and the way it supports life — everything from the trees to the birds.

“The water and the landscape come together to create something truly special.”

Previous connections to the property have been linked with the Winter-Irving family, whose pastoral influence and agricultural practices played a foundational role in shaping the region.

Notably, the family had connections to the Dhurringile Mansion, constructed in 1877, which served various purposes over the years, including as a minimum-security prison from 1965 until its closure in August 2024.

Today, Graeme thinks their Oakridge property may have once been a workers’ farming residence, that was employed by the Winter-Irving family.

“The property has changed hands several times over the years,” Graeme said.

“Each family has added their own chapter to its history, making upgrades and modifications along the way.

“Particularly the Witten family, who also planted hundreds of trees.”

Meg added that each family has left their own personal touch on the property, creating a sense of calmness that she can only describe as special.

“To be honest, we’ve been really blessed and haven’t had to do much to the inside at all,” Meg said.

“You can’t build history, but you can definitely feel the fond memories left behind by those who lived here over the years.

“It’s such a calming place, and since we’ve owned it, many people have reached out, sharing beautiful memories of those who either lived here or knew someone who did.

“It’s special to hear how those cherished memories still resonate with people today.”

Oakridge and the Talarico family truly seem destined to be together, each adding their own chapter to the property’s story.

The Talaricos are already making it their own, with their personal touch especially evident in the garden and outdoor spaces.

The house, deeply loved and shaped by the family’s bond, will continue to be a place of cherished memories.

Its legacy will live on, with future families adding their own stories to carry it forward.

As the family welcomes a new addition this year, Meg and Graeme look forward to creating more memories in their home.

They’re excited to take time to enjoy each other’s company and focus on what’s best for their growing children.

With the nursery almost ready, the girls’ bedrooms filled with their favourite things, plenty of space to relax, a front porch turned into a gymnastics area, animals to care for and love, bonfires to be had, and plenty of gardening to keep them busy, there’s no shortage of joy and activities ahead.

“When you have growing kids, you have to adapt to their needs,” Graeme said.

“There’s a gymnasium in the sun room currently, but hey, the girls love it.

“There’s plenty to keep them busy here and keep them off technology. It’s really a little hobby farm — a labour of love.”

Meg added, “It’s definitely a hobby farm. We now get calls from people when there’s a sick or injured animal. We have two dogs, a cat, a goat, a horse, and six cows. What will be next?”

Another impressive aspect of the house is Meg’s passion for repurposing furniture, which is evident throughout the property.

This craft has become a defining feature of the home, with one room — now a dedicated space for the Hawthorn Football Club, complete with a bar and pool table — having once served as a studio for workshops that Meg hosted, drawing people from all over the state.

Meg’s passion for design was also showcased in her boutique store, Oakridge Designs, located in the heart of Tatura.

The store offered homewares, giftware, and a chalk painting studio, quickly becoming a community hub.

It hosted workshops that attracted visitors interested in unique home décor.

Initially, these workshops started in her home, offering a more intimate Oakridge Designs experience, but the space soon proved too small to accommodate the growing demand.

Reflecting on her journey, Meg said she had always been repurposing furniture that never quite suited her previous home.

“Every piece now fits perfectly here — maybe I was always just waiting for this home,” she said.

“Although I’ve now closed the business to focus more on my family, you can never say never, I suppose.”

As the Talarico family continues to create new memories within the walls of Oakridge, their story blends seamlessly with the legacy of the home — a place where love, history, and new beginnings thrive, and where every corner echoes with the laughter and warmth of a life well-lived.

With Graeme’s Italian heritage, the kitchen will continue to be filled with rich sauces, late-night cooking sessions, and the promise of plenty of Italian food — and maybe a few more late nights soon, thanks to their growing family.