Frank’s Frankenfruit tree a true three-in-one

Andrew Mathieson
FRANK Fiala might be a bit fruity at times but he’s sweeter than the home-grown oranges that adorn his backyard.
Visitors look at his attempts to obtain the perfect fruit tree and can only laugh.
Not that the banter leaves a bitter taste in the Geelong West man’s mouth, unlike the lemons and grapefruit that remarkably hang off the same tree.
Grafting the three citruses together would test any devoted green thumb but not fearless Frank.
“The oranges have been there for nearly 40 years then two years ago I did the lemon and then months ago the mandarin,” he says.
“I just like to try different combinations.”
The retired concreter still wears his overalls in the backyard but his mix and matching these days is more akin to lab coat attire.
Far from biologist, the only thing barely white about the settled Italian immigrant is the cement he laid that engulfs the lone tree.
Frank still marvels at its fruits and reckons the roots are as old as Geelong West itself.
“Under the concrete, I reckon there’s a lot of juice,” he smiles.
A mandarin shoot starts to sprout and, with a quick wink, Frank is talking up his chances of another taste of citrus.
He points toward the back fence where nectarines and peaches live in harmony.
So do several varieties of olives.
Get your bowls ready for fruit salad, folks.
Changing careers to fruiterer is now out of the question at 72 but family and friends are still his happiest customers.
“Because I never eat them myself,” he says.
“For me, this is just killing time.”