Cemetery Comfort

The DELWP workers putting in place some comfort for visitors to the Cassilis cemetery.

The picnic table in this position to take advantage of shade and shelter.

In the shade of the beautiful Algerian Oak that has been providing a cooling influence over the Cassilis Cemetery, in the hottest of summer days, for a considerable time.

It may be fanciful. However this tree has been here for so many years, who would gainsay that it was not brought back with a returned soldier from a conflict of which he was a part?

A little fantasy can be entertaining and might be very close to the truth. One assumes these trees in the Cassilis cemetery were deliberately planted, as there are no other like them in the area.

There is an Algerian oak in the gardens of Parliament House in Melbourne:

http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/5241/download-report

[quote]
In February 1890, an Algerian Oak (Quercus canariensis) was planted in Melbourne's Parliament House gardens, by the Premier of New South Wales, Sir Henry Parkes. The planting commemorated the Australasian Federal Convention, which was then underway in Parliament House. The convention was a breakthrough in the move towards federation, in that the colonies actually agreed to federate and to hold a national convention to consider drafting a constitution. The tree is now known as the Federal Oak.

Henry Parkes is an important and colourful figure in Australian political history. He initiated numerous reforms during his time in politics in New South Wales parliament, and from 1889 was a key figure in the federation movement. He is popularly regarded as one of the 'Fathers of Federation'.

Heritage Victoria is currently undertaking a national survey of heritage places associated with federation. The Federal Oak is just one of many places that have already been identified and included in a database of federation places.
[end quote]

The Cassilis cemetery oak does not have a trunk as thick as the one mentioned above, but if it was from an acorn carried in the pocket of a soldier interested in trees or flora in general and grown to size that could be planted here. it would be about the right age.

Regardless of where the trees came from, and what far sighted individual saw how they might be appreciated by future generations. There is now a place to sit and contemplate whatever takes the fancy of the visitor.