Aksel Solumsmoen showing off the variety of olives to go into the oil, having picked these in the 2019 harvest.

OLIVES plucked by schoolkids from street trees and gardens around North Perth have turned out to be a magical mixture, with “Harvest 6006” oil winning silver at the WA Olive Awards.

North Perth Primary School’s P&C conducted the first olive harvest in 2013 to raise money for upgrades like a nature playground.

NPPS parent Siri Solumsmoen said May’s harvest this year yielded 270 bottles, with a sample entered into the awards where it went through rigorous lab testing and a sensory testing.

“There were 16 judges judging the olive oil entries,” Ms Solumsmoen reports. “Mind, becoming a judge is a two-year long process before you are accredited.” 

Entering the boutique class, judges awarded points for aroma, palate, and harmony, deeming 6006 had a “good aroma of tomato”, “transfers to palate with hints of rocket” and had “gentle pepper and pungency”.

Ms Solumnsoen says former NPPS student Nicholas Tolcon won a gold medal, and “humorously made a comment on how some kids and parents from North Perth shook some trees in the neighbourhood and won silver amongst professional full time growers!”

They’re fundraising by selling the bottles via northperthpandc.bigcartel.com

by DAVID BELL