Heritage listed Olea Eurpoaea at Thornlie Community Centre

Today I visited the stunning heritage listed olea europaea located in front of the Community Centre at Homestead Park, Thornlie. There are 4 large trees which rain black olives over the ground and dominate the roadside afront the centre.

As the sun was setting, the ducks fed on the grass growth beneath the largest tree which stands alongside the entrance to the community centre car park.

The sun was glorious shining through the trees as it set, making beautiful photographic opportunities.

The trees were planted by Thomas Bannister in 1837 and plaques are mounted on the trees to celebrate this fact. Thomas Bannister was a pioneer and original settler of the area, with the Bannister family owning 'Canning Location 17' which is now part of the suburb of Thornlie.

The olives are native to the north of Iran and north of Iraq, south of the Caspian sea and are known to only grow to 8-15m in height. One look at the trees which are now an amazing 176 years old and it is clear that these trees represent the larger end of the scale.

With the community centre in the background, it is amazing to think of the changes to the surrounds that these trees have seen in their lifetime. The development of the suburb and the spectacular homes that line Glenbrook Road facing the river.

Accompanied by an interested and enthusiastic friend, we crushed the olives in our fingers to find the rich purple colours of the fruits. We tasted the olives which were bitter and tart - a silly assumption that they may taste like a store bought olive! Obviously they require processing in brine to determine them "table ready"!

Forever 6108!

History and Heritage Advisory Group Meeting February 2013
http://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/files/e9c53136-7fdd-47b6-aa20-a16c009d7b21/Copy_of_Appendix_13_2_2A_26_February_2013.pdf?streamFile=true

Olea Europaea Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive