Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance

Dedicated to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. This monument was erected to honour those Australian servicemen and women who served during world war one. Here you will find snippets of information not found in any tourist guide book!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

'Lone Pine' no longer 'Lone!'


After the capture of the Lone Pine ridge in Gallipoli (6 August 1915), an Australian Soldier who had taken part in the attack, found a cone on one of the branches used by the Turks as overhead cover for their trenches. He kept it and, after the war, gave it to his aunt, Mrs Emma Gray. From the seed shed by the cone Mrs Gray raised four trees, one of which was presented to the Shrine of Remembrance.

It was planted on the 11th June 1933 and continued to grow to become an enormous 'Lone Pine' memorial tree for Melbourne. It was planted near to the 'Simpson & his Donkey' statue and grew to shade it from the harsh Australian summer sun.

Unfortunately, many years later, time took it's toll, and the 'Lone Pine' tree became a public liability to the Shrine. Growing ever bigger and becoming fragile with old age it started to drop limbs without notice. One limb snapped and fell onto the enlosure of the 'Simpson' statue. The picture speaks for itself! ( The original 'Lone Pine' tree can be seen in the background.)

The force of the impact was enough to bend the enclosure railing which is made of steel!


With the 'Lone Pine's' days numbered it was decided to plant a second generation tree to take over from the first. Therefore, the 'Lone Pine' is no longer 'Lone' and instead, has a younger 'Lone Pine' planted nearby which will continue to grow until it too is in need of replacement! Meanwhile the original 'Lone Pine's' condition will be monitored and when it becomes neccessary it will be removed.

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