It is like something out of a science fiction movie.
Four Lovedale olive groves have been completely cleared of this year’s crop, apparently overnight, with not a trace of vehicle movement, sound of machinery heard, and barely an olive to be found.
Between Wilderness Grove, Warraroong Estate, Sandalyn Estate and Zephyr Ridge, about 750 olive trees have been stripped bare (about 7.5 tonnes of olives), with an estimated retail value of more than $10,000.
It was not until Warraroong Estate’s pickers arrived last weekend that they realised there were no olives to be picked on any of its 150 trees, and the alarm was raised to neighbouring Wilderness Road properties.
Wilderness Grove owner Quentin von Essen said it usually takes six people two days to clear the 400-tree grove.
“It is particularly strange that the olives were removed not only from the trees but also from the ground. From over 400 trees we have two trees that have been left unpicked – the rest have been stripped bare – it is almost like the entire grove has been vacuumed,” Mr. von Essen said.
“It is really quite eerie,” he added.
The two trees that were left unpicked were the two closest to the Wilderness Grove guest house, and Mr. von Essen believes a censor light may have deterred the perpetrators.
He also said that he thinks the olives may have been picked mid-week because the guest house was occupied on the weekend.
Sandalyn Estate was also cleaned out with all 120 trees picked by the mystery harvesters.
Owner Lindsay Whaling said he thought the olives must have been hand-picked as no-one had reported hearing the sounds of machinery equipment, and it was most likely the olives had been harvested at night.
“With the 15th annual Lovedale Long Lunch coming to Lovedale this weekend there has been a lot of extra activity and traffic in preparation. It is hoped that someone might have seen some suspicious activity and is able to report it,” Mr. Whaling said.
“Fifteen thousand people attend the Lovedale Long Lunch – hopefully one of them knows something!”
Cessnock Police are investigating the situation and would like to hear from anyone with information, including those who may be aware of similar incidents, on 4991 0199.