tree of knowledge memorial

There's not sufficient space for the story of Barcaldine's historic Tree of Knowledge but it's well documented. Suffice to say here that the original tree where the shearers gathered during their 1891 strike died (many believe poisoned) and has been reincarnated in artistic fashion on the site of that old tree. It is attractive by day but stunning when flood-lit at night, when it appears from a distance as if the original living canopy remains. Barcaldine has a host of motels and caravan parks and it really is worth making this small town a stop-over to view the 'tree' in all its beauty and to realise that what could have been a disaster has been turned into a triumph for this Central Western Queensland shire.

At first glimpse it is an eye sore. No doubt about it. It is an unsightly unwieldy blot on the what would otherwise be a beautiful outback town street scape. However, step inside and all that negativity dissipates. It is quite breathtaking really. And to sit under there when there is a slight breeze is very tranquil and gives you a sense of being somewhere else, somewhere in nature. Then at night, and I guess this was a deliberate design, but when lit up and looking from a distance you can actually see the canopy of the tree or at least where the canopy of the tree would have been if not poisoned by those disgruntled out of town railway boys as the urban myth goes. Definitely worth a look at both day and night. Great place to just sit and reflect. Plenty of cold beer options across the road. Pauline at the Railway has the cleanest bar and coldest beer I reckon, or Serge at the Union has the best Guinness on tap this side of Tipperary.

A large box 60 feet X 60 feet X 60 feet with thousands of long, heavy hardwwod guilotine blades hanging from the ceiling by wire ropes. These surround a withered, white scrawny tree which has been preserved [The Tree of Knowledge]. There is a plaque to the shearers who were jailed for sedition as striking was known in 1891.I didn't think much of the monument, but it itched me enough to find out what it was about on wikipedia. A very hard won right to free speech which members of the Labour Movement would do well to remember in 2014. Barcaldine is a small town in a great wilderness where I got a good beer and meal at a nearby pub. I must go back some time and think about it's titanic history some more...

Gives a shot back into history. The wood chimes are interesting. It's a great pity the tree was poisoned.

Located right outside the Barcaldine railway station we alighted from the train to stretch the legs and observe the tree. Sad that someone chose to poison this historic tree but it has been preserved for all to see now. Great plaques around the place informing us of the history of the area. The canopy of the tree makes it a stand out.

This ghost gum remnant is still outside the Railway Station along the main road in Barcaldine.The Tree of Knowledge was included in the National Heritage List in January 2006 and some fool, did poison it a short time later for unknown reasons and the tree died. The memorial was built over the top a few years later which looks much greater from the inside.

we visited both in the day and by night. Following tips from fellow trip advisors. We enjoyed both visits, yet when we returned at night the lights and the slight breeze added another dimension to the memorial. The sculpture, although representing the shearing blades of the men who met around the original tree of knowledge, also form a giant wind chime. The slight breeze we experienced on our second visit was enough to produce tunes whilst we visited. The area is well set out. Could have a little more background to the overall significance of the original tree and the effort to save it plus create the memorial for the town and history. We enjoyed the musical chair on the way up. :D There is more background to what happened after the strike and the initial meetings under the tree at the Australian Workers museum, if travellers wanted more to the story.

The original tree being poisoned is a sad indictment on our society.I saw the original 40 years ago and was inspired by the events that went on there.The new monument is over the top and does not really give enough information.

It is an important part of history but could have more information near it to explain to those who do not understand.In main street easy to find,you only need a few minutes to view it. Silly not to at least have a look so you can say you have seen it.

Worth seeing to understand the historical importance of this landmark. The architecture was amazing in demonstrating the canopy size of the original tree.Make sure you stop (even if only briefly) to take this in and appreciate what it resembles.

The Tree of Knowledge lives another day. After vandals poisoned this Australian icon in 2006 the remains of the tree has been preserved in this spectacular display. We visited the 'tree ' during the day but vowed to return to see the site lit up at night. A very important part of Australian history.

The well protected remains of the tree that the shearers met under to create the first industrial action in Australia.

Rather a large, ugly dark box when viewed from the road.Better when inside but I feel more airflow should be allowed to get the sound happening from the suspended beams.

Dry, hot, isolated, could describe many outback Queensland towns. The same could be said when arriving in the small outback town of Barcaldine. Look around and all you can see is the empty street on which you stand upon. Then why visit this desolate town you may ask? Because there is one thing that stands out among the nothingness. Something very old. Something very wise. Something very precious. Something known as the tree of knowledge. This tree brings life to the empty country town. This tree unites the small 3000 members of the Barcaldine community. Siting proudly in the middle of the main street, the tree of knowledge is a place to pause and ponder history itself. As you gaze up at the old branches you can almost make out the stories among the many rings of wisdom it holds. Being at least 170 years old, the ancient ghost gum is listed as a National Heritage and represents the central meeting point for the Shearers' Strike during the upheaval in 1891. If you are a Labour supporter, concerned about parliament or even Australian, you will be interested to know that this Shearer’s strike in 1891 led to the formation of the Australian Labour party. First time visitor Radha Shukla said she stood there in awe of the trees history. “I was just baffled that something as momentous as the founding place of the Labour party has been kept a secret from the rest of Australia.” she said. In 1981, at the height of the ‘Great Shearers Strike’, 3000 strikers met under the old ghost gum protesting over the low wages and poor work conditions. Troopers arrested more than 200 strikers, six of them having Jumbucks in their Tucker-bags. Legend has it this led to the founding of the Australian Labour Party and the tree remains an icon for the Party today. The ancient tree was listed as a national heritage in 2006 and in the same year was poisoned and died. The tiny community of Barcaldine became the driving force behind the restoration project creating a monument embracing the tree. The tree of knowledge has one more surprise left in store. When walking around the ancient tree, notice the twisted branches that depict a defining Australian moment in history. But take a step back and be amazed over the newly exposed roots under the glass flooring, then gaze up at the massive timber chimes and you’ll hear the voices of our ancestors. But are they songs of praise or wails of despair? This is for you to decide when you pass under the tree of knowledge.

We appreciate Australian History, it was enjoyable to walk around and view the structure, such a shame the original tree is not there anymore.