Pride of place for Separation Tree sapling

A sapling grown from the seed of Victoria’s historic Separation Tree has been planted in the Parliament House gardens by the Victorian Parliament’s Presiding Officers.

The 400 year old Separation Tree, in the Royal Botanic Gardens, was the site where citizens of Melbourne gathered on 15 November 1850 to celebrate the news that Victoria was to become a separate colony from New South Wales.

President of the Legislative Council Bruce Atkinson and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Telmo Languiller at the tree planting ceremony

A river red gum, the Separation Tree was extensively damaged by two vandalism attacks in 2010 and 2013. Despite the efforts of Royal Botanic Gardens’ staff to save the tree, in January 2015 it was announced that the tree was dying.

Saplings from the seed of the tree have been propagated and are being distributed around Victoria in a partnership between the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Victoria Day Council.

One of those saplings now has pride of place in the Parliament House gardens.

Ceremony was held in the Parliament House gardens

The tree planting by the President of the Legislative Council Bruce Atkinson and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Telmo Languiller was attended by representatives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria Day Council and National Trust of Australia.

Presiding Officers plant a part of history

A living tribute to Victoria's heritage

The sapling is now growing in the garden area on the Legislative Council side of Parliament House (directly opposite the Windsor Hotel).

Much interest in a moment of Victorian history

Separation Tree sapling in its place of honour at Parliament House

See more news from the Parliament of Victoria

Published: Friday, 19 June 2015 16:26