By Mavis Stower
Six years ago a guided tour through the Coolmunda Olive Processing Plant made such an indelible impression on Honolulu resident James Farrell that he vowed to come back soon to see how it was progressing.
However, Covid travel restrictions meant the planned return visit was postponed and only happened last week when James and his wife Julie arrived in Australia for a stay in Inglewood and caught up with the extensive additions to the processing plant and the architecturally landscaped beautification of the surrounding areas.
A bonus on the day of their visit was a tour of the olive grove’s 8500 organically grown trees including Spanish Arbequinas and Manzanilos, Greek Kalamata and Koroneiki, Cypriate Volos and North African Barouni.
Next came a view of three outdoor, interconnected bamboo labyrinth and meditation structures and a look at the former Coolmunda Railway Siding building now a birdwatching site on high blocks. This was followed by an inspection of the Grove’s latest innovation an attractive “glamping“ set-up surrounded by natural bushland.
The visit ended with an overview of the Sclerophyll forest which forms an ecological and sustaining background for the processing plant and grove.
Development of the forest has been continuous during the 26 years since the olive grove was established by Colin Owen and his wife Gesine.
The 5000 trees planted so far by the Owen family include multiple species of Ironbark, Box, Callistemon, Melaleuca and Wattle trees which enhance the Grove’s picturesque setting overlooking Coolmunda Dam.
“Coolmunda Olives more than lived up to my expectation and the fact that it and the Dreamtime Nurserey, Greeenup Meeting Place and Lady of the Lake’s small but unique Boutique are now part of the Local Tourist trail means there are four outstanding venues located in natural environments right on Inglewood’s doorstep,“ James said later, adding: “Thanks to Inglewood I’ve caught the country spirit“.
