<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>My name is Nick Andrews and I am a second generation, certified
organic olive grower(NASAA since 1989)in Narrandera, NSW. I am also
NSW State Representative for the Organic Federation of Australia(OFA).

My father,a Greek migrant, planted 4,000 olive trees in 1956 in
Liverpool(western Sydney)with a view to starting an olive industry,
but in 1972, the State Planning Authority re-zoned our land to open
space and resumed it, saying our project was worthless. After three
years of fighting them, we were told we would have to leave our land,
so we took the only action we could and dug out 4,000, 20 year-old
trees, "topped and tailed" them and transported 600ks in nine semi-
trailers to Narrandera and replanted every one. In keeping with the
scorched earth policy my father took, what we didn't take, we buried.

Although we lost several hundred trees in the process, we have
subsequently sold our certified organic extra virgin olive
oil to "Le Bon Marche" in Paris(the trendiest dept. store on the
planet)and some four tonnes to Japan.

I mention this to give you to give you some background on my
family's involvement with organic olives and an indication of the
depth of our commitment to a sustainable agriculture in Australia We
also produce certified organic cereal crops (spelt wheat), and we
currently carry certified bio-dynamic cattle on the property.

My family together with the Maroudas family(SA) and Tim Marshall
(NASAA founder/IFOAM standards officer) have proposed the idea
of "OlivesOrganic"(The Australian and New Zealand Organic
Olive Association). The aim of the association is to set-up
communications networks for all those involved in organic/biodynamic
farming and to bring them up to the minute news and information
regarding sustainable agriculture. We have the support of the
major organic certifying bodies in Australia and New Zealand as well
as the OFA and RIRDC. Between the Maroudas and the Andrews families,
we have 75 years of organic olive growing experience and are happy to
share our knowledge and experience with others who are committed to
producing organic olives and olive oil.

I am writing to invite all interested parties to
join "OlivesOrganic", an association/network that will strive to
keep functioning as a valuable resource for those who are actively
involved in the organic olive industry.

As stated in the message posted under the "OlivesOrganic"
message in this group, we have established a website which contains
details: www.olivesorganic.com. I trust you find the time to visit
the site and find it interesting enough to consider joining our
association.

Regards,
Nick Andrews
www.ellengrove.com

p.s. The Olive Press(AOA journal)is running a detailed account
of "The Battle for Ellengrove" as it's cover story in the upcoming
2002 Winter edition [www.ellengrove.com]
</pre>
</td></tr></table>