Fire in the Grove
Tony and Sam made an olive tree change, moving from the city to a quiet, run-down cattle farm with 3 large overgrown olive groves and a wooden corral set among the gum trees.
Nestled in koala country they enjoyed the company of wallabies and a large variety of birds as they tackled the challenges of restoring their farm. As they connect with the beautiful Mulgowie Valley, Fire in the Grove, an annual event that welcomes family, community and country was born.
Fire in the Grove celebrates all that’s unique about Cedar Gully Olives. It’s a fun way for families to spend their Sunday, relaxing in the shade of the olive trees. Enjoying the warmth of olive wood fired braziers and listening to live music. There’s the opportunity to taste their signature marinated olives plus food cooked over olive wood cooking charcoal. A blacksmith forging over olive wood charcoal and whip cracking demonstrations takes visitors to earlier times.
The day also showcases the locals with food and gift market stalls. It’s held on the last Sunday in August, the weekend before Father’s Day with the opportunity to find something yummy to eat or a present for Dad. Big kids and little kids are kept entertained with games to play and free face painting. The Rural Fire Brigade are supported through a gold coin parking donation. There’s a fire tender on display plus a range of farm machinery including an old Massey Ferguson tractor.
The production of olive wood charcoal came about from Tony and Sam’s desire to be responsible, sustainable land managers. They use all of the olive tree to make cooking charcoal, forging charcoal, air purifiers, art drawing sticks and biochar for the garden. Fire in the Grove provides the opportunity to enjoy the farm and to see where and how these products are made.
As the story of Cedar Gully Olives is unfolding, Tony and Sam have become much more than olive farmers. They are colliers, agritourism hosts and community connectors.
