It’s a morning ritual the heifers in the paddocks beside the Riviera Christian Centre have come to savour - the arrival of farm manager, Peter Neal, who brings a loaf of bread and gently hands them each a slice for breakfast.
As they lick their lips and attempt to wrestle the bread from Mr Neal’s hand, it’s evident the cows worship his arrival at the farm.
During the COVID pandemic the 50-acre farm, situated on the Dargo Road, came on the market and was snapped up by the Riviera Christian Centre in mid 2020.
Mr Neal, a former East Gippsland Shire Councillor, and regular at the centre’s Sunday church service, was appointed farm manager in late 2020.
“It was acquired as an asset to the church because it was recognised as a growth area and adjoined what they already had,” Mr Neal explained of the centre’s motive in purchasing the land.
Mr Neal was initially asked to come up with ideas for the land and has continued on in his present role.
Six breeding heifers and a hired bull, along with Mr Neal’s five steers, presently roam the acreage.

IMAGE: Riviera Christian Centre farm manager, Peter Neal, feeds the heifers some bread slices for breakfast.