Did you know:


The Olive is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean, Asia and parts of Africa. It is short and squat, and rarely exceeds 8–15 meters in height.  The silvery green leaves are oblong in shape, measuring 4–10 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. The trunk is typically gnarled and twisted.

 

 

There is an olive tree in Crete, claimed to be over 2,000 years old (based of tree ring analysis) and another, on the island of Brijuni, Istria in Croatia, a well-known olive tree that is calculated to be 1,600 years old. It still gives fruit (about 30 kg per year), which is made into top quality olive oil.

 

The olive tree is one of the symbols of Athena, the Greek goddess, and is frequently mentioned in the Bible and the Qur'an.

 

There are a range of health benefits from extra virgin olive oil.  Click here for more information.
 
About Us Print E-mail

Phil and Mary Beatty bought the farm that is now Magpie Gully in 2000.  They took over the farm with olives trees that were sadly neglected and in need of much attention.  With the help of family and friends and a lot of sweat they nursed the trees back to health and started harvesting the olives.  The first significant harvest was in 2006 and yields have consistently increased every year since.

 

 

 

Olive Care

 

Phil and Mary have both completed an Olive Care course and the olive grove is run under the best practice guidelines of Olive Care.   Whilst Magpie Gully is not “organic certified”, Phil and Mary are very committed to the high standards required through this programme.  

 

The Olive Care Approved Supplier Programme was developed by Queensland Department of Primary Industries - Centre for Food Technology (QDPI-CFT) in conjunction with Queensland Olive Producers and Processors.  It is based on the principles of Good Horticultural Practice as described in Codex Alimentarius, 1997, Volume 1B, Recommended International Code of Practice General Principles of Food Hygiene. This course is specifically designed for olive growers and harvestors who supply Olive Processing Plants.

 

The purpose of the Olive Care course is to give the Australian Olive Industry the tools to supply their olive processing customers with safe, quality food.  By conforming to the Codex Adlimentarius recommendations, the Australian olive industry will produce olive products that comply with international standards.

 

 
 
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