Published Friday, 13 November, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
TREE OF KNOWLEDGE SAPLING PLANTING GIVES ICON NEW LIFE
Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh today planted a cutting from the historic Tree of Knowledge at the Cultural Centre – a living tribute to the Queensland icon that joins the stunning new Barcaldine memorial.
“Since the poisoning of the Tree of Knowledge in May 2006, just months after it had been included on the National Heritage List, the State Government has worked with the community to find ways of preserving the tree and its legacy,” The Premier said.
“This Ghost Gum sapling, matured from a cutting taken from the original Tree of Knowledge by Primary Industries and Fisheries, finds a fitting new home outside the State Library of Queensland at the Cultural Centre, South Bank.
“The State Library’s John Oxley Library holds the original Manifesto of the Queensland Labour Party to the People of Queensland (1882), the first draft of which was read to 3000 striking shearers protesting against poor working conditions and low wages under the shade of the Tree of Knowledge in 1891.
“The Cultural Centre precinct is also home to two other noted trees – the 100-year-old poinciana also at the State Library and the Bodhi Tree planted outside the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in 2008.”
Ms Bligh said the Manifesto was named a document of international significance by UNESCO this year and just over two weeks ago returned to Barcaldine to be read once again under the Tree of Knowledge Memorial during community cabinet.
“The Manifesto, along with other state treasures, has been touring regional Queensland since August as part of the John Oxley Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations and the state’s Q150 program,” she said.
“It was a unique historical moment when the Manifesto returned to Barcaldine and was read out under the Tree of Knowledge Memorial, which protects the remnants of the original tree.
“The new memorial, outside Barcaldine Railway Station, is also set to be a centrepiece of celebrations at the town’s Tree of Knowledge Festival which has received $29,000 in State Government funding.”
The Premier also launched the book Queensland. 150 Years of Achievement by well-known historian Professor Kay Saunders at the tree planting.
“Queensland. 150 Years of Achievement profiles 150 Queenslanders across 10 key areas, including engineering, law, industry and business, art and design, farming, mining, science and technology,” Ms Bligh said.
“Professor Saunders spent 18 months selecting, researching and compiling the profiles and from what I understand she could easily have included another 150 entries,” Ms Bligh said.
Copies of Queensland. 150 Years of Achievement are available from www.focus.com.au/shop.asp
Media contact: 3224 4500
“Since the poisoning of the Tree of Knowledge in May 2006, just months after it had been included on the National Heritage List, the State Government has worked with the community to find ways of preserving the tree and its legacy,” The Premier said.
“This Ghost Gum sapling, matured from a cutting taken from the original Tree of Knowledge by Primary Industries and Fisheries, finds a fitting new home outside the State Library of Queensland at the Cultural Centre, South Bank.
“The State Library’s John Oxley Library holds the original Manifesto of the Queensland Labour Party to the People of Queensland (1882), the first draft of which was read to 3000 striking shearers protesting against poor working conditions and low wages under the shade of the Tree of Knowledge in 1891.
“The Cultural Centre precinct is also home to two other noted trees – the 100-year-old poinciana also at the State Library and the Bodhi Tree planted outside the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in 2008.”
Ms Bligh said the Manifesto was named a document of international significance by UNESCO this year and just over two weeks ago returned to Barcaldine to be read once again under the Tree of Knowledge Memorial during community cabinet.
“The Manifesto, along with other state treasures, has been touring regional Queensland since August as part of the John Oxley Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations and the state’s Q150 program,” she said.
“It was a unique historical moment when the Manifesto returned to Barcaldine and was read out under the Tree of Knowledge Memorial, which protects the remnants of the original tree.
“The new memorial, outside Barcaldine Railway Station, is also set to be a centrepiece of celebrations at the town’s Tree of Knowledge Festival which has received $29,000 in State Government funding.”
The Premier also launched the book Queensland. 150 Years of Achievement by well-known historian Professor Kay Saunders at the tree planting.
“Queensland. 150 Years of Achievement profiles 150 Queenslanders across 10 key areas, including engineering, law, industry and business, art and design, farming, mining, science and technology,” Ms Bligh said.
“Professor Saunders spent 18 months selecting, researching and compiling the profiles and from what I understand she could easily have included another 150 entries,” Ms Bligh said.
Copies of Queensland. 150 Years of Achievement are available from www.focus.com.au/shop.asp
Media contact: 3224 4500