Number 11 Map 1A Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail maps
On a cool, grey day I am greeted by John Maguire of Enniskillen Orchard.
"I have a sister called Mary ," says John as he leads me into the large iron building bursting with fresh produce.
"I have a partner called John! " I reply and roam around the shed taking photos of glorious fresh fruit and bottled condiments, whilst John makes me a coffee.
We start by talking about the other producers I have met so far and the passion they all share for their properties and their produce.
"I have that passion too," says John, "but it is a passion born out of desperation!"
John describes his fear of the danger that this beautiful part of the world will be covered in houses, the constant threat of development that he lives with and how it is a day in, day out battle to fend off this threat.
"But I've got Irish in me!" he exclaims.
John grew up in Emu Plains, in a beautiful Georgian house on 34 acres of land, where there was a lagoon, an orchard, gum trees and an old well. His father sold the property to developers who took their time in planning what to do with it. Penrith Council moved a heritage order on the property and the next day it was a pile of rubble. Thus was born John's life long antipathy towards developers.
(At this point a very stout old dog wanders into the shed. John shoos Austin out and tells me that in order to prevent the dog harassing women's legs they had it baptised a Catholic and re-named Austin - Austin Aloysius Bartholomew Maguire. "It didn't make a scrap of difference though!" John laughs. )
John tells me that it was his destiny to come to Grose Valley. His father bought the property of 115 acres in 1960 and sold the back block in 1968. The property was originally covered in oranges. A fellow would hoe the whole orchard and as soon as he was finished would have to start all over again.
John started his own orchard there 25 years ago. He approached the council and was given tourist status which has so far protected the property from development. John has been joined by his son Adrian , who runs a providore business from the property.
Originally the orchard comprised pears, peaches and nectarines but the Maguires have since diversified into citrus, figs, apples and berries as well. The drought hit them hard but the figs, apples and berries are currently proving to be good cash crops for them.
Most of the vegetables they sell are sourced from the Sydney basin.
John is a founding member and board director of Hawkesbury Harvest. He was taught social justice by the De La Salles at school and feels strongly that those principles are to be found in the values of Hawkesbury Harvest. He tells me of the philosophy which states that if a small unit can do what a large unit can do, then the small unit should be favoured. Hawkesbury Harvest supports small farms, co- ops, farmers markets and in so doing, echoes this philosophy.
I walk around the property and enjoy the sound of bell birds and the scent of the lemon scented eucalypts.
In doing some research on the Northern Irish town of Enniskillen for which the orchard is named, I come across a song which begins
"Fare thee well Enniskillen...."
With the passion that runs so strongly in John's veins for his property I know he will not be saying good- bye to Enniskillen any time soon.
Enniskillen Orchard
753 Grose Vale Road, Grose Vale
02 4572 2956
Please visit the Hawkesbury Harvest website
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