“The name Grassy Spur comes from the history of the area,” said Helen. “There was a Grassy Spur school, post office, even a swimming pool. It’s a name well known to the town.”
What began as a search for a rural land quickly became a thriving business. Peter had said to Helen, “If we have all this land, we’ll need to do something with it.” “He suggested olives, and I thought, how hard can growing olive trees be?” It turned out to be a journey of reading, research and labour – neither had an agricultural background. Peter works in IT, and Helen was a nurse. But with support from local growers, together they built Grassy Spur from the ground up.
Their approach to production is refreshingly simple and deeply sustainable. “Everything happens on site,” said Helen. “From picking to processing, to bottling – it’s all done here.” They rely on natural soil health, avoid chemical treatments, and don’t irrigate, thanks to the consistent South Gippsland rainfall. “People always ask if we irrigate,” Helen laughs, “and I just say, we live in South Gippsland – we don’t need to.” Peter now manages nearly 50 hives, which started purely to assist olive tree pollination.
The result? Small-batch, chemical-free honey and award-winning olive oil. “Last year, our oil won Best in Show at the Australian Olive Awards,” Helen said proudly. “It’s really about letting nature guide us. We don’t test or filter unless necessary. We let the oil settle and clear naturally.” Though yields can fluctuate – 15 tonnes last year, to just four in the next – the quality remains constant. “We believe in keeping the process as natural as possible,” Helen added. “It’s a reflection of how we live, and the rain is significant in the process.”
Grassy Spur’s products are available online and in selected retail outlets across Australia. As costs rise, Helen remains committed to fair pricing: “We want to keep it accessible, but we do have to make a living.” Shop online at grassyspurolives.com.au or visit the store at 32 Moyes Road, Stony Creek. There is a tasting room to try before you buy and a nice walking track around the grove and apiary.
