The Oaklea Coopworth sheep stud, situated 37 kilometres south west of Mount Gambier in the SE of South Australia, was founded by Don and Ann Pegler in 1984.

Along with John and Brigita Keiller of the Cashmore Park stud, they began breeding Maternal Composites in 1994. The very best genetics were sourced from Australia and New Zealand of the following breeds: Coopworth, Border Leicester, East Friesian, Finn, NZ Romney, South African Merino, Poll Dorset, White Suffolk and Texel.

Each of these breeds were sourced for the superior genetic attributes they have for fertility, milking ability, growth rates, meat quality, worm and foot rot resistance and skin quality.