Olive Picking at b eaumont House

In a ‘new’ tradition for beaumont House, volunteers are invited to join us on Sunday 16 May for the annual harvest of olives from our heritage-listed olive grove.

Aside from being a well-known pioneer, politician and extensive landholder, Sir Samuel Davenport is generally regarded as the father of the olive oil industry in South Australia. A keen promoter of agriculture and new industries in the colony, he experimented with olive growing, as well as growing lavender for perfume and mulberries for an emerging silk industry.

In 1856, Davenport purchased the property now known as Beaumont House, where he planted an olive grove based on oil-producing varieties obtained from Spain and Gibraltar. The grove eventually covered 27 acres, producing an average of 22 tonnes per year between 1894 and 1923. Production on a commercial scale continued until the mid-1960s, when cheap imported oil made it unprofitable. While most of the trees were removed, a remnant survives today and is State heritage listed.

In May 2017, National Trust volunteers who work in the house gardens harvested olives from the grove for the first time in about 50 years. With the support and guidance of Olives SA members, the volunteers hand-picked the olives, which were then crushed by Domenic of Diana Olive Oil at Willunga and bottled. The 250 ml-bottles proudly display a facsimile of the original Davenport Olive oil label used by Sir Samuel Davenport and later his nephew G.F. Cleland. This year the Trust is inviting volunteers to join us for the annual harvest, on Sunday 16 May. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate how to harvest olives. Participants are asked to bring along their own gloves and a clean bucket. They are also encouraged bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at long tables under the olive trees. As a thank you, participants will be able to take home some of the larger olives suitable for pickling and a recipe.

Olive picking runs from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm. For more information, please contact Merilyn Kuchel at mdkuchel@bigpond.net.au

Adelaide Tours

Henry’s Adelaide

Experience Victorian-era Adelaide through the life of prominent public figure Sir Henry Ayers ending at his former home for light refreshments.

Saturday 1 May

Time: 1.00pm – 2.30pm

Cost: Adults $25, concession $22, NT members & children aged 5 –15 $20.

Place: Starts at Ayers House Museum, 288 North Tce, Adelaide Enquiries: bookings@nationaltrustsa.org.au or 8223 1234

Book: https://bit.ly/henrysadelaidetour

Heritage Reborn

Whether it’s the dazzling transformation of Electra House or the quirky local artists inhabiting the Gothic Revivalist Epworth Building, you’ll be struck with a new appreciation for classic architecture and the innovative ways it can be reimagined.

Thursday 20 May

Time: 10am

Cost: Adults $15, concession $13, NT members & children aged 5–15 $10

Place: Starts at Electra House, 131-139 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: bookings@nationaltrustsa.org.au or 8223 1234

Book: https://bit.ly/heritagereborn