scone.com.au100 Years and Still Bearing Fruit
The Tilse’s of Roma Orchard will be celebrating the orchards 100 year anniversary by hosting an open day on Sunday.
Albert Collison (left) with his daughter Jean and grandchildren Ray Mervin and Enid. 1930 photo from “One Hundred Years of Roma Orchard 1916-2016”. Joan Dunlop and Julie Anne Tilse.
Steven Tilse said the Orchard is there for everyone to enjoy and on Sunday between 11 am and 5 pm at the Orchard on Hunter Rd, Moonan Flat, see map below.
People can head out to pick some apples, dangle your feet in the river, tickle a trout, have some cider and good times.
The history of the Orchard has been recorded in a book “One Hundred Years of Roma Orchard 1916-2016” written by Joan Dunlop nee Tilse and Julie Anne Tilse which will be launched on Sunday.
Steven has owned and operated the Roma Orchard for 20 years of the family’s 100 year ownership of the property.
“The original property was purchased from the Beltrees by Albert Collison in 1916 and was originally growing oranges, apples and went on to produce tobacco” Steven Tilse said.
“When Reg Tilse, my grandfather bought the property from Albert Collison they concentrated on growing only the apples and got rid of the oranges and tobacco,” said Steven.
Albert Collison’s tobacco crop at Omadale Brook near Roma Orchard circa 1925-1936.
Steven’s father Bryan has worked at the orchard for over 70 years and still actively works the property alongside Steven and often with his grand children.
The orchard has a variety of grapes being grown for production of Tilse’s Wines.
A bumper crop of apples proved to be a stroke of genius for a new product.
“After a big crop of apples in 2005 we spoke to the winemaker who suggested we make apple wine, we took it to the Denman Food and Wine festival where it was a huge success,” Steven said.
Luke Tilse, Steven’s nephew has spearheaded the successful Apple Truck Cider to continue the family legacy and sure up the future of Tilse Apple’s in the Hunter Valley.
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