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Lone Pine Reinstated In Victory Park

An Aleppo Pine (pinus brutia) commemorating Australia’s heritage and the sacrifices made by Australians at war, was reinstated at a planting ceremony in Victory Park Traralgon on Friday.

By Latrobe City - 7th February 2007 - Back to News

The Aleppo Pine replaces another of the same species planted by the then mayor of Traralgon, Cr Dunbar on Anzac Day in 1967.

Latrobe City mayor, Cr Tony Zimora, explained that the existing tree, often referred to as a ‘Lone Pine’, developed a major lean during the last winter, resulting in the upheaval of the surrounding soil.

"Latrobe City’s tree crew removed a number of its branches to counteract the lean in the hope of saving the tree, but the damage already caused to the tree roots and the ensuing drought, resulted in the gradual decline in the tree’s health. It was removed several weeks ago, once it became obvious that it could not be saved," Cr Zimora said.

"On Friday, together with Jim Saddington, president of Latrobe Valley Legacy; Kevin Hynes, general manager of Traralgon RSL; and Herb Trevenen DFC; I had the honour of reinstating the memorial in Victory Park by planting a replacement ‘Lone Pine’."

Mr Saddington explained that the ‘Lone Pine’ is particularly identified with Gallipoli and the role that Australian and New Zealand troops undertook in 1915 during the assault upon Lone Pine Ridge.

"A plateau in Gallipoli that was covered in low scrub had just one stunted Aleppo Pine tree on it. This plateau was considered to be of great military importance and both the invading ANZACS and the defending Turks wanted to hold it.

"The ANZAC artillery often shelled this plateau using the pine as a landmark from which they could measure the angles to their targets. The pine tree became known as the ‘Lone Pine’ and gradually that part of the plateau where it grew became known as ‘Lone Pine Ridge’," Mr Saddington said.

"ANZAC troops attacked the ridge and held it for more than three months until ordered to evacuate. Extremely heavy fighting occurred in the attack where more that 2000 men from the First Australian Division and nearly 7000 Turkish soldiers were killed in about five days.

"One of the soldiers took a cone from the pine tree home as a souvenir and many years later five seedlings were grown from the seeds within. One of the seedlings was planted near the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, and seed from that tree produced numerous Aleppo Pines that have been planted commemoratively since.

"Like other commemorative trees, the Lone Pine planted here in Victory Park has grown from seed harvested from the Shrine of Remembrance tree," Mr Saddington added.

Cr Zimora said that a garden bed will be developed around the Lone Pine in Victory Park and a plinth erected, which will bear the original 1967 plaque and a plaque commemorating the 2007 reinstatement.

"Many visitors to Victory Park have commented on the tree’s disappearance and expressed their concern at the loss of the Aleppo Pine during the past few weeks. This in no small way demonstrates to me the strength of respect in our community for heritage and for the memory of those who have fought and died for their country," Cr Zimora concluded.

The commemoration and planting was attended by representatives of Latrobe City, Legacy, RSL, Vietnam War Veterans Association, Traralgon Lions Club, Traralgon Chamber of Commerce, and Traralgon City and Rural Community Development.

Councillor Zimora also accepted a plaque on behalf of council, presented by Eddy Jones, president of the Gippsland Latrobe Valley Sub Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, reflecting Latrobe City’s civic reception for those who served in Vietnam. The civic reception took place in 2006 and was held in conjunction with commemorations marking the fortieth anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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