“Our initial question driving Sprocket was – how can we roast coffee more sustainably?”
When you think of specialty coffee, cutting-edge environmental technology might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for Carbon-Conscious Roasters Sprocket, the two have always gone hand in hand.
For over 15 years, they’ve been a beloved part of the Olive Tree Markets, keeping stallholders and visitors well caffeinated, and connecting with the market community. And from the very beginning, their mission has been clear: make exceptional coffee that’s better for the planet.
But let’s take it back to the start…
Sprocket’s journey began in 2008 when Ross and Chelsea moved to Newcastle to work on a bioenergy project with business partners John and Nick – two chemical engineers with a shared interest in sustainable innovation.
On weekends, the team found themselves a passion project; road-tripping to Glen Ines to roast beans in John’s shed using a homemade fluid bed roaster. Those long hauls up Thunderbolts Way, in a Holden station wagon full of coffee soon sparked the idea: bring the roaster to Newcastle and build something more sustainable.
That idea became Sprocket Roasters. They took their patented bioenergy technology and applied it to the roaster itself, replacing fossil fuels with spent coffee grinds and recycled pellets. The result? A carbon-conscious coffee roaster built from the ground up. The name? Well, that’s a nod to the engineering firm “Spacely Space Sprockets” from the 1960’s TV Show – The Jetsons. A playful reference that now lives on in their space-themed coffee blends.
While their roots are deeply grounded in sustainability and engineering, Sprocket’s approach to coffee has always centred on accessibility and quality. Their range includes traditional blends, experimental origins, Fairtrade selections, and decaf, all roasted with care and a commitment to the environment.
They’ve long practiced what many businesses are only just catching up to, running their roastery largely on solar, recycling wherever possible, and packaging in compostable bags. Their ethos is clear: make great coffee with a small footprint.
Enter The Olive Tree Market…
Once their product was all ready to go, their first Olive Tree Market was one to remember. With their Land Rover ‘Chief’ doubling as a coffee machine transport and a homemade table to support the setup (a table that still lives on in the Roastery!), Sprocket dove into the deep end. The response was immediate; they sold out of coffee bags within the first hour. That first Saturday was a sign of things to come.
Sprocket has since become a staple of the monthly event. From setting up stalls while Chelsea was heavily pregnant, to having their now-teenage daughter helping on the till, Olive Tree has been a constant thread through their business and family life. “It’s been very much a family affair,” Chelsea shares. “Our team Rhonni & Hannah have been working at Olive Tree for years alongside us – the stall would not be possible without their dedication, coffee skills and the sunny vibes they bring!”
“Our junior staff working the till, Mathilda and Lola, are also fantastic and handle a busy shift with ease. We wouldn’t be able to do it without them. A huge thanks also to everyone also who has loaned a hand over the years doing a rock-start barista shift!”
Today, Olive Tree remains one of their favourite ways to connect with customers. With their Lambton roastery no longer operating as a sit-down café, the market provides an invaluable touchpoint with the community, old friends and new faces alike. “We’ve dabbled in a lot of markets and events over the years, but the community vibe at Olive Tree has kept us coming back – it’s unparalleled to other gigs we have done around the Hunter” says Chelsea.
Find out more about Sprocket here – Find out Olive Tree dates here
