Keeping history alive
Images of Australia 49/100 The Tree of Knowledge.
The Tree of Knowledge, located in the small outback town of Barcaldine, has an iconic place in Australian history.
In the 1870's shearers had to sign a contract to gain employment, but an excess of workers meant that owners were able to decrease the wage of shearers. In 1891, shearers began to go on strike, and this action quickly spread. Strike camps were set up and the tree became a meeting place for the strikers. Violence increased, some shearing sheds were burnt down and the Police took firm action. The strike leaders were arrested and sentenced to prison, lack of food, funds and bad weather caused the strike to be abandoned. Thus, over the years the tree became a symbol of a 'fair go, and fair wages for a fair days work'.
The tree itself is ghost gum and over the years suffered from insect attacks, termites and fungal diseases. Before its final death a small number of trees were grafted from it to keep the tradition alive. The tree itself was preserved and the current memorial built around it.
Editing the photograph as I have, was an attempt to portray both the historical and the current setting of the tree.
Keeping history alive
Images of Australia 49/100 The Tree of Knowledge.
The Tree of Knowledge, located in the small outback town of Barcaldine, has an iconic place in Australian history.
In the 1870's shearers had to sign a contract to gain employment, but an excess of workers meant that owners were able to decrease the wage of shearers. In 1891, shearers began to go on strike, and this action quickly spread. Strike camps were set up and the tree became a meeting place for the strikers. Violence increased, some shearing sheds were burnt down and the Police took firm action. The strike leaders were arrested and sentenced to prison, lack of food, funds and bad weather caused the strike to be abandoned. Thus, over the years the tree became a symbol of a 'fair go, and fair wages for a fair days work'.
The tree itself is ghost gum and over the years suffered from insect attacks, termites and fungal diseases. Before its final death a small number of trees were grafted from it to keep the tradition alive. The tree itself was preserved and the current memorial built around it.
Editing the photograph as I have, was an attempt to portray both the historical and the current setting of the tree.