The so-called Tree of Knowledge stands proudly in the middle of Oak Street, which passes as the main street of Barcaldine, just about opposite the railway station. It’s a ghost gum. Its trunk is squat and thick, but the branches reach upwards sparsely, like long, grasping fingers, clawing at the sky, which is most often a cloudless blue canopy over Barcaldine. Even today, handy lower branches show signs of wear where, over years past,  bullockies have thrown ropes over to unload wool bales from their drays.

Some of the more devout people in town call their tree the Alleluia Tree, because the Salvationists spread their brass band-powered gospel message there each and every Sunday. Many a sinner has sought repentance and many have found comfort under the Alleluia Tree’s spindly branches. However, this name has never really stuck; certainly not with the district’s many profane bullock drivers who have cause to visit the tree. Sinners and bullockies would all agree, however, along with the entire population of Barcaldine, that under the Tree of Knowledge is the spot for any and all important meetings in town and that its knowledge grows with every discussion held underneath its sparse shade. It’s true that Barcaldine’s a long way from most places. More than 350 miles west of Rockhampton and local folks are often heard to remark that it isn’t quite far enough! Just a quiet little oasis, dependent for life on the hard water pumped up from the great artesian basin, a thousand feet below the red Queensland earth.

Yet the Tree of Knowledge is one of the most revered trees in the country. It goes back to the year 1891. Conflict between the shearers’ union and the squatters and a long and bitter strike came to a climax under its branches. That led to a decision by the strikers to end their strike and pursue a political course that was the beginning of radical change in labour relations and politics across Australia.

The tree of Knowledge has become an icon of the Labor Party and Trades Unions. It is also important to the people of Barcaldine as a symbol of the town's identity and historical importance. Then, in 2006, some fool poisoned the tree with glyphosate

Picture by Mark Marathon / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

The ALP offered a reward of A$10,000 for information that would help identify those responsible, but the culprit was never brought to justice. The locals love their tree and have done their best to preserve the spirit of the tree.  The shearers meeting around the Tree of Knowledge and its aftermath forms an important cornerstone of my book Solly’s Way. Find out more at (https://ronthomasauthor.com)