Manager of tourism, arts and culture David Hughes was presented with the sapling at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens before council entered a caretaker period in September.
The sapling was then gifted to Lorraine Ward of Gargarro Botanic Garden in Girgarre on Thursday, December 19, and planted by Deputy Mayor Jessica Mitchell.
Taken from the Separation Tree in Melbourne, the gift memorialises the announcement of the states’ splitting in 1850 at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
At the time, the centuries old tree was one of two original river red gums and a prominent landmark at the site of the announcement.
Gargaroo Botanic Garden chairman Doc McDonald said everyone involved with the garden was honoured to have a tree of significance planted on site.
Cr Mitchell said she hoped the new tree would serve as a place to gather, just as the original tree did.
“This sapling, and many others like it, was raised from the seed of the original tree when it became apparent that the Separation Tree’s life was nearing its end,” Cr Mitchell said.
“We hope that this new tree will, like its predecessor, be a place of meeting, offering shade and a spot to reflect not only our past but also our future.”
Cr Mitchell said the tree was an important piece of history, representing the strength and resilience of local communities, and symbolised unity.
18°C