IT ALL BEGAN WITH AN OLIVE TREE
By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni
W
ith patience, passion, and sixteen years of persistent work, two former corporate professionals can safely say they have created their dream property with Green Olive at Red Hill. For Greg and Sue O’Donoghue the serendipitous moment occurred seventeen years ago after driving back to the city from Sorrento and spotting a property for sale in the hinterland. Peninsula Essence talks to Greg about the journey that brought his big idea to fruition.
E ssence
78 | PENINSULA
October 2018
“Sue and I had always dreamed about owning our own business around our love of food and travel and that dream was fostered when we found the 27 acre property by chance in 2002,” said Greg. “By 2003, we had planted the first olive grove. Everything was done from scratch; there wasn’t even a gate into the property so we built one.” With the idea quickly gaining momentum, within twelve months Sue and Greg, along with their young children, started a café in Sorrento; Green Olive Gourmet Café. “That was our first venture into hospitality, selling gourmet products and eventually being able to sell our own that we grew
It has been an incredible journey, and we are proud that everything has been done from scratch continued next page...