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Old 5th August 2007, 01:25 AM   #10 (permalink)
Ekka
Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some
 
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
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Default Tree of Knowledge Barcaldine Australia

Well, I'd like to add a significant tree story pertaining to Australian politics.



Back in 1890 era it's alleged but not proven that the Australian Labor Party was born after a shearers strike under the shade of a ghost gum in Barcaldine, now historically known as The Tree of Knowledge.



However around May 2006 the tree had a large amount of weed killer poured onto it's roots (30 litres) and had a long struggle as people tried to save it.

However on 3 October 2006 the tree was officially pronounced dead.

In an effort to preserve the tree, it was uprooted and transported to Brisbane 29 July 2007

Tree of Knowledge poisoned : ABC Western Queensland
'Tree of Knowledge' cuttings sales unlikely. 04/10/2006. ABC News Online
Tree of Knowledge uprooted | The Courier-Mail

The irony is the current Labor premier for Queensland went to Barcaldine to hold a farewell service and donate $1.4million for a memorial centre, he was greeted by 500 angry protesters who threw water filled projectiles at him in the middle of a drought. They were protesting about the recent council amalgamations in Queensland.

Premier Beattie said, "Isn't it great to see (that spirit) is not dead," he said amidst the shouts.
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