An Environmental Sustainability Grant has led to positive environmental outcomes and lasting community connections.
A total of 4.5 tonnes of olives have been saved from going to waste thanks to a community-driven harvest across Geelong this year.
Community members with large olive trees in their backyard or on their nature strip often face the conundrum of how to best make use of the 1050 kilograms of olives that each tree can produce.
With businesses needing at least 1,000 kilograms to press oil, the Barwon Oil Barons community group was formed and came up with a solution - The Community Olive Oil Project.
Supported by our $4,921 grant, volunteers in Belmont, Norlane and Ocean Grove collected and weighed olives harvested by 80 residents, before dropping them at Mt Moriac Olives.
The fruit was processed by Geelong Region Olives into a whopping 590 litres of healthy olive oil and picked up by thrilled community members.
Barwon Oil Barons founder Rosie Bright said of the process, "It's a lot of fun to pick the olives but most of all, there is something so special about using olive oil you have contributed to, sharing it with friends and family and cooking with your own produce."
Plans are already underway for a 2024 edition – keep an eye out on Barwon Oil Baron's Facebook page for updates.
This innovative project utilises an existing resource and reduces waste, while promoting the use of healthy and local ingredients and strengthening community ties.
We're always looking to support clever projects that provide a range of benefits to the region.
If you're part of a community group, organisation or club and want to get a project off the ground, why not put in for a grant today.
