Julie's Trees........

The picture shows Julie planting one of the two silver birch trees that she has sponsored at the Cassilis recreation reserve. She said that her mother would have liked this place. Julie mentioned the lovely effect of the white bark of the silver birch, which of course will stand out even more against the backdrop of the eucalypts and the view of the hills in the distance.

Julie planting a silver birch.

The day was ideal for planting as the overnight rain prepared the ground with moisture enough to entice the tree roots to reach out further into its surrounds as it warms with the coming spring. The blustery wind was warm while the tree was being planted and turned cold at the time of leaving almost seeming sad and then petulant that we were going.

The residents of, and the area surrounding Cassilis are, through the medium of recreation reserve and the tree sponsor program, cleaning the atmosphere and environment as they honour and remember loved ones. The trees being a real link to those buried in the Cassilis cemetery and elsewhere in Australia or world wide.

Contemplating

The Cassilis recreation reserve and cemetery located cheek by jowl have always been special places and their uniqueness is being enhanced by the tree sponsor program of the reserve, encouraging the committee and trust respectively to increase their particular attraction.

Many who have come to visit Cassilis where their ancestors lived, worked and in some cases died, even on their first visit have sponsored a tree to make this place even more meaningful in their lives. A family hub of sorts.

To view a larger version of the photos, click on them and they will come up on their own.

The slope which is the backdrop of the picture where Julie is planting her tree can be seen in this early photograph of another gathering at the Cassilis recreation reserve. This is supposed to be in the 1800's and could well be the case from the dress of the people.

Cassilis circa 1897

The trees on the slope have changed and if the time period is correct, then the mines would have been working just about full on when there was water sufficient to allow them to process the ore.

The population of Cassilis would have been far greater as can be seen, though one would imagine some of these people in the photo would have come from the surrounding area for a day out, to catch up and to just enjoy the company of others. The life on any goldfield is not easy. Everyday life would have been hard and the mining companies would not have been over generous with wages and conditions.