As a way of fostering an appreciation for Greek traditions and life, the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) schools recently organised olive picking for their students. The event unfolded within the courtyard of Bentleigh Secondary College in Bentleigh, where olive trees had been planted.
In Greece, olive cultivation is a deeply ingrained tradition. Olive oil, an indispensable presence in every household graces Greek tables.
Odysseas Elytis once eloquently remarked, “If you deconstruct Greece, you will in the end see an olive tree, a grapevine, and a boat remain. That is, with as much, you reconstruct her.”
The profound connection between Greece and its olive tree, is an emblem of the country’s identity.
From November to March, the harvest unfolds, while in Australia, it graces the months of May to September, guided by the ripening of the olives. This process, with its rich history, demands intensive labour. They learned how the journey of olive oil unfolds, from the tree to the olive press, the transformation of olives into the final product fit for consumption takes place.
The atmosphere in the schoolyard brimmed with enthusiasm for the engaging task at hand while a torrent of questions poured throughout the olive picking activity.
At first, the students were tentative, but as the hours passed and with expert guidance, each child found their rhythm and made a significant contribution towards the collective goal of harvesting olives. Through collaboration, the students developed a profound understanding of the immense effort required to produce such a vital commodity as olive oil.
Then, the olives meticulously plucked by the children were prepared for consumption by all the students.
Additionally, they had the chance to craft their own delectable olive bread.
As a reward each student received a generous slice of homemade bread adorned with luscious oil and olives, a tangible token of their knowledge and the invaluable experience gained.
