Palm Trees in Gillott Reserve, Spring Street Melbourne

In November 1948 The Argus, under the headline City Palm Trees Go, reported that the Ornamental Palm Trees in the Spring street plantation near the Burke and Wills statue are being chopped down, but for a very good reason - they are all rotted at the base. (1) The Palm Trees are shown in this photograph, below.

The Palm Tree can be seen in the plantation behind the Burke and Wills Monument.

Burke & Wills Statue, Spring Street, 1940s. Victorian Railways photographer.

State Library of Victoria image H91.50/1373

The Burke and Wills monument was designed and created by Charles Summers and unveiled on April 21, 1865. It was then situated at the intersection of Collins Street and Russell Street. In 1886 it was relocated, due to cable tram works, to a small reserve in Spring Street near the Model School. The Model School was later known as the Continuation School and after its demolition in 1933 it was replaced by the College of Surgeons building, which still stands. (2) This reserve is now call Gillott Reserve, but at the time of the relocation of the Monument this small park did not have a name. Gillott Reserve was named in 1913 for Sir Samuel Gillott (1938-1913) a Lawyer, Lord Mayor of  Melbourne and Member of the Legislative Assembly. (3)

The naming of Gillott Reserve in 1913. As you can see its location was corner of Evelyn, Spring and Victoria Streets. Evelyn Street, a continuation of Nicholson Street and which ran between Victoria Parade and Spring Street. It was renamed Nicholson Street around 1938. (4)

The Age, August 22, 1913 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197487426

The Burke and Wills Monument remained at Gillott Reserve until 1973, when due to underground rail loop works it was shifted to the Carlton Garden and then in 1979 to the City Square. (5)

There are very few photograph of the monument in Spring Street at the the State Library of Victoria, but you can see it and the Palm Trees in the two images below.

Victory Day March in June 1946. The Burke and Wills monument and the Palm Trees are top right, just below the Exhibition Buildings dome.

Victory Day marches in Australia. The Argus photographer. A similar image published on the front page of The Argus on June 11, 1946  see http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22258034

State Library of Victoria image H98.100/2722. 

The Burke and Wills monument and the Palm Tree, are top right, in front of the College of Surgeons building.

Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria. Photographer: Commercial Photographic Co.

Harold Paynting Collection, State Library of Victoria image  H2009.95/41. 

We know when the Palm Trees were removed, but when were they planted? Possibly in 1906. This short report about reserves in Spring Street appeared in The Age in May 1906. The report also included the extraordinary news that Parliament House was one of the only buildings in Melbourne not sewered. The Commonwealth Parliament occupied the Parliament buildings from 1901 until 1927 when it moved to Canberra. From The Age - 
There are two small reserves between Spring and Albert streets, near the Federal Parliament Houses, which would be all the better for the expenditure of a little money. One is under the control of the City Council and the other is included in the lease held by the Federal Parliamentary authorities. At the quarterly meeting of the City Council yesterday Alderman Sir Arthur Snowden moved that the Federal Government be requested to improve the area under its control, and throw it open to the public in the day time as a place of promenade. Cr. Pleasance, in seconding the motion, expressed the opinion that the council should look to its own reserve. Alderman Sir Samuel Gillott said he had on many occasions attempted to get these spots beautified, but without success. The Lord Mayor told the council that he had recently been in communication with the Premier about the sewering of the Parliamentary buildings in Spring-street, and had been informed that the Federal authorities were the sole owners of the property at the present time, end that they said they had no money to spend, and would not spend a shilling on it. Parliament-House was about the only building in Melbourne which was not sewered. After some discussion it was decided to request the baths and parks committee to take action to secure the improvement of both reserves. (6)

If this is correct, then the Palm Trees in Gillott Reserve survived just over 40 years from 1906 until 1948 when they were removed.

Footnotes
(1) The Argus, November 10, 1948, see here. This is the image they had with the report; you can see part of a sawn-off trunk on the left.

(2) From eMelbourne - Burke and Wills Monument by Christine Downer   https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00264b.htm; Model School by Ian Wilkinson   https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00990b.htm

(3) The Age, August 22, 1913, see here; Sir Samuel Gillott - Australian Dictionary of Biography https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gillott-sir-samuel-6390

(4) Evelyn Street - called Evelyn Street in a 1937 Street Directory and Nicholson Street in a 1938 Street Directory. Street Directories are digitised at the State Library of Victoria   https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/search-discover/popular-digitised-collections

Evelyn Street, from Map 1a, 1937 Morgan's Street Directory

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/288183

(5) From eMelbourne - Burke and Wills Monument   https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00264b.htm
(6) The Age, May 10 1906, see here.

The Palm Tree by the Reverend H.D. Campbell

This tribute to the Palm Tree was published in the Brisbane Courier, on November 29, 1930 (see here) It was written by the Reverend Herbert Douglas Campbell, so as you might expect it has many Biblical references. There is information about the life of the Reverend Campbell at the end of this post.

The Palm Tree by the Rev. H.D. Campbell
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They that are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall nourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap, and green.

One can understand the Hebrew poet likening the righteous man to a palm tree. When one works it out in the manner of the old commentators, one finds the analogy a remarkably close one. 

Above the plain, it rears its height, its trunk straight as the mast of a ship, "erect as Rectitude herself." It is a perfect emblem of the faithful servant of God, upright in his integrity - "upright as a palm tree" is Jeremiah's phrase.

There is an Arabic proverb which says that the palm tree has as many uses as there are days in the year. Its fruit is in the highest degree nutritious. An Arab can go for a couple of days on a handful of dates. They are the chief article of food for a large proportion of the inhabitants of Egypt, Arabia, and Persia. An average tree will produce in one season 300 or 400 lb. of dates.

The stones of the dates are crushed for food for the camels. From the leaves, thatch, mats, baskets, and other articles are made. The thick stalk of the frond makes fruit crates and fowl coops. Its fibres are teased out for thread and cordage. The sap flows out freely when the trunk is cut near the top; as much as 20 gallons of liquid for fermentation being procured in this way, for palm wine and other concoctions. From the dates brandy and honey are made. The stem is used for fuel, and for gate posts and rafters. So valuable, then, is the palm tree that it is no wonder the prophet Joel should regard its withering as a sign that desolation is come over the land, "when joy is withered away from the sons of men."In its usefulness, therefore, the palm tree again depicts the righteous man- serviceable to his generation in wholesome influence and fruitful deeds.

Its Beauty.
"How fair and pleasant art thou, O my love," sings the lover in the Song of Songs, "Thy stature is like the palm tree." The palm is, indeed, a graceful tree, tall and slender, magnificently crowned by a top of feathery plumes - to the Easterner, the queen of all trees. "The dark brown or golden-yellow clusters of the fruit impart a wonderful beauty to the tree, especially when seen in the evening twilight," is the verdict of a traveller, and those who have seen the sight will echo his words.

The palm was used as an ornament of beauty in Solomon's Temple, being carved on the walls and doors of the Holy of Holies. And Ezekiel, in his vision of the temple, saw the graceful palm figured on the pillars and arches as well.

The swaying beauty and grace that distinguishes the palm tree was transferred in simile, by the Hebrew poets, to the lovely women of their race. And three times in the Old Testament are women given the name of "Tamar," "The Palm Tree." Two of these are Absalom's "fair sister," and his daughter "of a fair countenance."
"They that are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God,"
sang the psalmist. They were planted there because of their beauty, just as to-day one may see an occasional date palm in the quadrangle of an Eastern house, or the court of a mosque. One remembers a solitary palm in the courtyard of the famous mosque at Hebron, and how its bright green, curved foliage lent an indescribable touch of the picturesque to the dazzling white of the surrounding walls.

These palms, when grown in courts, do "flourish" remarkably, just because they are protected. But the sacred singer is chanting the beauty of holiness. Spiritual influence is a beautiful thing, and is power in its highest exercise; and it is nourished by communion with the eternal in the worship of the congregation.

The 1,900-year-old Jewish coin from the time of the Bar Kochba Revolt bearing part of the name of its leader and a palm tree. Unearthed in the Judean Desert in 2021.

Photo by Clara Amit/IAA.

Image and information: https://israel21c.org/ancient-coin-takes-off-to-the-stars-with-israeli-astronaut/

Its Secret of Life.
The palm combines beauty with power. For a stem so slender the palm is peculiarly strong. The fierce desert storms will sometimes bow the straight trunk till its corona of leaves touches the ground. Yet the stem rarely breaks.

Despite the light, pithy nature of its trunk, the palm, therefore, has great endurance. It often seems virtually to be a root springing out of a dry ground, so arid and bare is the scorching sand around. But its roots reach subterranean moisture, and so, in the midst of a howling wilderness, as by a miracle, it can clothe the leaves upon its summit with a cool verdure, refreshing to eyes blinded by the desert glare.

That plant life, nourished on hidden stores in the midst of a weary land, is a figure of the righteous man whose simple faith "flourishes," even through distress of afflictions. For it is fed on secret supplies of "living waters."

The palm tree always signifies the presence of water; and in this, again, it is a type of him who, by his manner of life, guides others to the spiritual springs of his own comfort and strength.

When the children of Israel in their desert wanderings saw 70 palm trees on the horizon at Elim, they knew their thirst would soon be assuaged. These oases are pleasant to the eye. One meets a series of them along the railway from Port Said to Jerusalem. Resting in their shade from the star tag sunshine, one would often see long robed Bedouins, the women veiled, their camels squatting near.

The Oasis.
Thirsty camels in a caravan, travelling over the desert, and sighting one of these oases, at once break into a trot, quickening as they approach. The cameleers are put to it keep the beasts under control and the loads from shifting.
"They shall bring forth fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap and green."

The palm continues to bear its golden clusters of dates for 200 years or more. It retains its usefulness, its shapely beauty, and stately strength to the last. To the servants of God who have reached old age the palm brings a comforting message. "The old age of the good is a living illustration of the beauty of goodness."

And then, the palm tree is a symbol of victory and triumph. We speak of prosperous times as "palmy days"; we say that a winner "carries off the palm." In seasons of rejoicing, the Mediterranean peoples carried palm leaves in their triumphal processions. When Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph the multitude expressed their delight by waving palm branches.

The only other reference to palms in the New Testament is in "Revelation," when these evergreen trees become symbols of the joy of the eternal life. There is seen the innumerable multitude that had come out of great tribulation standing before the Throne, in robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb, and with palms in their hands.

Reverend Herbert Douglas Campbell (1887-1960)
This interesting account of his early life was published in the Brisbane Daily Standard in 1935 -
Rector of St. Thomas' Church of England, Toowong, Rev. H. B. Campbell has been promoted Archdeacon and vicar of St. Arnaud, Northern Victoria, which position he will take over after Easter. Few men in the church have performed such a wealth of work, diverse in its nature, as Mr. Campbell has done since he was ordained deacon in Melbourne in 1914. Soon after his ordination he went to London, and while studying at the London University did slum work in the East End. In 1916 he was obtained priest by the Bishop of London. From 1917 to 1919 he fought on the Western front. Then he spent 16 months on military duty in Constantinople, and finally consecrated the cemeteries of the Australian dead at Gallipoli.

Returning to Australia, Mr. Campbell linked up with the St James and St. John's Mission to the Poor in Melbourne. One of his proudest memories in his Sunday afternoon Bible class and a club formed of the "push" elements of Fitzroy and Carlton. In 1927 Mr. Campbell came to Brisbane as minor Canon of St. John's, and next year went to St. Thomas's as rector. In addition to obtaining his degree of Master of Arts, Melbourne, Mr. Campbell gained his B.D. in London. For the last two years he has been lecturer at St. Francis's College at Nundah, and for five years he has been editor of the "Church Chronicle." [Brisbane Daily Standard, March 14, 1935, see here]

The Reverend Campbell was born in Richmond, Victoria in 1887 to Herbert Angus and Wilhelmina (nee Wagner) Campbell; he married Margaret Sinclair Anderson in 1923 and they had one son, Ian. Margaret died in London on November 17, 1952, aged 62 and Reverend Campbell died in Melbourne on July 29, 1960, aged 72. (Margaret's death notice The Argus, December 13, 1952, see here)

The Age, July 30, 1960, p. 21

Palm Trees in Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

Lonsdale Street in Dandenong was once lined with Palm Trees; they were removed in 1954 and replaced with other trees. This wasn't the first time Lonsdale Street (also called Main Street or the Princes Highway) was redesigned, as the Dandenong Journal reported in July 1954 on the removal of the pines 32 years ago, by Walker and Sons, before making the street from kerb to kerb for the first time. It was then that the concrete islands and palms which have just been pulled out, were put in....The Walkers used a big traction engine to root out the pines, and Dooley [Walker] recalls that when it got bogged down in front of the Bridge Hotel, it was pulled out by 7 elephants from Wirth’s Circus! ....In those days Walker & Sons had 45 horses and drays engaged on roadwork throughout the Shire of Dandenong. (1)

So we can take from this that some of the Palm Trees were planted in 1922 or 1923, even though if the aerial photograph, below, dated as 1932 is actually correctly dated, then many Palm Trees were planted a decade later, as there is a row of very small trees on the left side of  Lonsdale Street.

Recently planted Palms in Lonsdale Street, 1932.

Dandenong looking South, February 19, 1932

Photographer: Charles Danie Pratt/Airspy. 

State Library of Victoria image H91.160/1749 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/20449

The palms grew so well that by October 1928 the Dandenong Journal could report that -
Numerous complaints have been made that the lower branches of the palm trees in the plots in the centre of Lonsdale street, Dandenong, often prevent pedestrians and drivers of motor cars and other vehicles from having a proper view of approaching traffic. It is stated that there have been several narrow escapes from accident, and the suggestion has been made that the Council should have the lower branches cut and the palms trimmed so that the danger of collision and people being knocked down might be greatly reduced. (2)

A row of young Palm Trees, fenced off, in Lonsdale Street.

Dandenong, dated between 1922 and 1928. Photographer: Albert Arnell. 

State Library of Victoria H2013.48/87. http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/252981

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, c. 1920s.

Photographer: Valentine Publishing. Postcard from my collection.

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, 1920s.

Photographer: Valentine Publishing. Postcard from my collection.

In 1931, the same paper praised the Palms, when they reported on some vandalism or wanton destruction towards them -

Happily there are many in Dandenong who are noticing with pleasure the growth of the ornamental trees which have been planted throughout the town. Some magnificent palms occupy an exalted place. They are a slow growing tree, beautiful almost from infancy. The fear is some of them are being ruthlessly handled. A sharp instrument, or a pocket knife, it is feared, has been used on them, and the leaves hacked from plant to tip. The belief is that it is the work of a thoughtless boy, and it be well if each child possessed of a knife, were warned of the wrong which has been occasioned. Certainly it is an indictable offence, and one for which the punishment should be severe. The desire of all should be that they might see those adornments growing in all beauty. (3)

There was more praise in 1934 from the Dandenong Journal -

Suggestion is made that councillors would be wise if they at once saw to it that attention is given to the further beautification of Dandenong, especially so on that part lying along the northern-area of the town, and embracing the Melbourne road. Here there has, with commendable foresight, been provided a system of palm and of tree plantation which is surely growing into loveliness. The Dandenong road is an immense area of virtually three chains in width. It is divided into a spacious centreway of modern road, fringed on either side by an avenue of palms which are. reaching sky wards, and growing luxuriantly they will soon become so beautiful that all will admire them. (4)

Palms in the centre of Lonsdale Street, 1938

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong,  February 21, 1938. Photographer: Herald & Weekly Times. 

State Library of Victoria image H19741 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/296662

However in 1947 was a debate as to whether the palm trees should be removed as their shadows spoil the lighting and cause deep shadows (5) and poor lighting was seen to be a reason why there had been a spate of crimes in Dandenong. But the Palms still had their defenders - this was in a letter to the Editor of the Dandenong Journal -

Reading between the lines one can see that there is a growing threat to the life of the palms, which so gracefully ornament Dandenong’s main street, and impart a little bit of individuality to it. The palms are being blamed for throwing shadows on the main thoroughfare through our town, and are threatened because of that. Has it ever occurred to the councillors that if the lights were suspended over the middle of the road - where they should be - then there would be no shadows from the palms. (6)

Palm Trees and the Dandenong Town Hall, c. 1930s

Image: The Grand Old Lady of Dandenong, 1890-1990 (Dandenong & District Historical Society, 1990), p. 49

But their time was coming to an end and the question of their removal was played out in the Letters to the Editor section  of the Dandenong Journal. In August 1953 Mr Berner of Stud Road wrote - 

I think that it would greatly improve the appearance of this town if the palm trees that present so untidy an appearance in the main street were removed. This type of tree is really only in its element in Eastern countries and is certainly incongruous at the "Gate of Gippsland."A number of Australian towns have their typical, ornamental trees - a shining example being Grafton with its wonderful Jacarandas - why not Dandenong with its, for instance, Lillipillys or flowering gums? Perhaps the local Horticultural Society could suggest an outstanding and suitable tree. Incidentally, the present palm trees are a harbour for numerous vermin. (7)

In response 'Save the Pines' wrote - 

Unlike your correspondent, S. Berner (“Journal’ August 5th), I would hate to see Dandenong’s main street deprived of its palms. To my mind they are quite a refreshing change from the habitual trees. If they are to be ripped out, I’d suggest they be replaced with other palms. I travel through Dandenong, quite a lot and there are two things to my mind that “register” in the minds of passers-through and set Dandenong apart—your beautiful old Town Hall and the unusual palm plantations in the main street. When it loses either of them, Dandenong will lose a lot of its charm. Spare those palms—and let me assure Mr. Berner that although palms in Gippsland might be unusual, it is no crime to be different. In fact, it’s quite an asset for a town. (8)

In September 1952 'Saw the Pines' wrote -

Coming from an Eastern country, and seeing Dandenong the first time with its array Date Palms reminded me of home and, as this town was termed the “Gateway of Gippsland”, I assumed that beyond the site would be stretches of burning sand, with an oasis here and there, plus an Arab or two with attendant camels. However, I was pleased to find that the nasty (9) palm trees did not presage such a scene, as one might anticipate, but, in contrast, green and lush fields, with contented cows met my gaze throughout Gippsland. Why not replace these aliens with magnolias, which seem to do well here—with all their glory of pink and white blossom—or even flowering cherry trees. All trees are beautiful in themselves, but these palms are definitely out of their element and, moreover, like the calendar of yester year, are negative as to dates. (10)

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong,  c.1940s.

Photographer: Valentine Publishing. Postcard from my collection.

Lonsdale Street, 1945

Image: The Grand Old Lady of Dandenong, 1890-1990 (Dandenong & District Historical Society, 1990), p. 30

Princes Highway, Dandenong showing the palm trees, 1940s maybe early 1950s.

Photographer: Valentine Publishing. Postcard from my collection.

In December 1953 the Dandenong Journal reported, under the headline, Lonsdale St. Palms to Go, that -

In connection with the C.R.B's re-designing of Lonsdale St., Dandenong Council has agreed to the removal of the main street palms, but the Board is to be asked to provide for replanting with suitable trees. So that Dandenong will not have the “bare look” for any longer than, is necessary, Crs. Jeffers and Terry moved that the Board be asked to plant the trees immediately in the median reserve. (11)

Dandenong Journal, May 19, 1954 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218509385

In May 1954 under the headline Slaughter of Main St. Palms on Way, the same paper reported 
Lonsdale St., Dandenong, has taken on a new to are look and certainly not a prepossessing one-with the start on the removal of the palms. It is to be hoped that our civic fathers and the C.R.B. have plans for their replacement with some attractive substitutes. (12)

And that was the end of the the Palm Trees gracing the Main Street of Dandenong. 

Trove List
I have created a list of article which reference the Lonsdale Street Palm Trees, on Trove. Access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Dandenong Journal, July 21, 1954, see here.
(2)  Dandenong Journal, October 25, 1928, see here.

(3) Dandenong Journal, January 29, 1931, see here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, April 19, 1934, see here.
(5) Dandenong Journal, July 2, 1947, see here.
(6) Dandenong Journal, August 20, 1947, see here.
(7) Dandenong Journal, August 12, 1953, see here.
(8) Dandenong Journal, August 26, 1953, see here  
(9) Dandenong Journal, September 9, 1953, see here - part of this word is obscured and I can't tell if the original word was nasty or it may be pasty.
(10) Dandenong Journal, September 9, 1953, see here
(11) Dandenong Journal, December 23, 1953, see here.
(12) Dandenong Journal, May 19, 1954, see here.

Williamstown Botanic Gardens Avenue of Palms

The Williamstown Botanic Gardens officially opened to the public on January 2, 1860.  The Garden was designed by  Edward La Trobe Bateman (1815-1897), a cousin of the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, Charles La Trobe. (1)

The Williamstown Gardens to open

Williamstown Chronicle, December 31, 1859 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68569501

In 1915, a fine avenue avenue of Palms, Washington Palms (Washingtonia robusta), were planted. (2)  They grew very well and three years later the Williamstown Advertiser could report that -

Councillor Creighton, Mayor of Port Melbourne, and Mr J. Cronin, Director of the Botanical Gardens,
visited the Williamstown Gardens on Wednesday afternoon and complimented Mr W. Crowe, the Curator, on the uniformity and size of his avenue of palms. The men were inspecting the garden as they were looking for a suitable tree to create an Avenue of Honour on the Back Beach at Williamstown and Port Melbourne proposed to plant trees  on the foreshore. (3)

The Washington Palms replaced New Zealand Cabbage Trees (Cordyline australis), which were possibly  planted during the time of Samuel Thake's appointment as curator. He commenced in May 1899 was responsible for many changes in the gardens including an ornamental pond, a new curator's cottage, erection of new gates and a drinking fountain. After Samuel left in September 1912 (taking up a similar role at the Albert Park Trust) his assistant William Crowe took over and planted the Washington Palms. William Crowe remained as Curator until his death in January 1938. (4)

The Avenue planted with the New Zealand Cabbage Trees, c. 1905.

The Botanic Gardens, Williamstown. State Library of Victoria image H87.206/172

The statue, we can see at the end of the Avenue (above) is of Alfred Thomas Clark (1844-1888), local member from 1871 to 1887. The statue was unveiled July 18, 1891. The Williamstown Chronicle reported -
On Saturday afternoon fully 300 persons assembled in the local Botanical Gardens to witness the unveiling ceremony of the monument 'erected by public' subscription to perpetuate the memory of Hon. A. T. Clark, who for sixteen years ably discharged the office of Parliamentary representative for Williamstown, and in the earlier days Footscray also. The monument is of Cararra marble, sculptured by Enrico Lucchinelli from a photograph, and is a wonderfully faithful likeness. It stands 22 feet 6 inches in height, the figure being life size upon a pedestal handsomely carved. (5) 

The Palm Avenue, Williamstown. 

Postcard from my collection

The Palm Avenue, possibly 1930s.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. Postcard from my collection

Williamstown's Palm Avenue

The caption reads - This delightful vista, which might have been taken in some such tropical city as Rio de Janeiro, was photographed yesterday in Williamstown gardens. The gardens of Melbourne are full of such gems of landscape gardening as this. In the background is the Thomas Clark monument, erected by his constituents in 1891.

The Age, March 29, 1934 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203834389

The Avenue of Palms on the right, c. 1930s/1940s

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria image H32492/3510

The Lily Pond, surrounded by Palms, 1930s. 

Image: The History of Williamstown from settlement to a City 1834-1934 by William H. Elsum. 

First published in 1934 by the Williamstown Council; this is from the 1985 facsimile edition published by the Williamstown Historical Society.

The 2018 Williamstown Botanic Gardens masterplan report notes that - A major renovation of the Gardens took place in the late 1980s as part of the bicentennial project including the replacement of the Thread Palm Avenue (which had previously been removed in the 1960s) with the current Cotton Palms which dominate the site. (6)

Main References

• Williamstown Botanic Gardens Masterplan: Volume 2 - Background report  May 2018 by Laidlaw & Laidlaw Design for the Hobsons Bay Council and the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. Access report here - https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Parks-and-reserves/Williamstown-Botanic-Gardens
• Friends of Williamstown Botanic Gardens website - http://www.friendsofwilliamstownbotanicgardens.net/ Information about the Palm Avenue is under Features.

Footnotes
(1) Edward La Trobe Bateman, Australian Dictionary of Biography entry https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bateman-edward-la-trobe-2951

(2) Williamstown Botanic Gardens Masterplan: Volume 2 - Background report  May 2018, op. cit. and Friends of Williamstown Botanic Gardens website

(3) Williamstown Advertiser, June 1, 1918, see here.

(4) Friends of Williamstown Botanic Gardens website. The information about Mr Thake and Mr Crowe is from Williamstown Botanic Gardens Masterplan: Volume 2 - Background report  May 2018, op. cit.

(5) Williamstown Chronicle, July 25, 1890, see here.

(6)Williamstown Botanic Gardens Masterplan: Volume 2 - Background report  May 2018, op. cit. As  a matter of interest the Masterplan on page 13 and 14 of  this report noted that the Palms in the Avenue are Washingtonia robusta.

Welcome to the Palm Tree blog

This is a blog about palm trees mainly in public and domestic gardens -  a social history, rather than anything botanical or scientific.  There used to be a Palm Tree in the garden at Grandma's house, Evesham,  on Murray Road, Cora Lynn. Grandma was Eva Rouse (nee Weatherhead), she married Joe Rouse in November 1922 (read more here) and moved to Cora Lynn from Tynong and  immediately began creating a garden.

Evesham in the 1920s, before the garden was established.

Her garden was magnificent and the Palm Tree was out the back, near the water tank and next to a weeping cherry tree. Growing next to the water tank was a tree dahlia, which as you would know, has a very short flowering season. Behind the Palm was the vegetable garden and an orchard.  If we went around the house to the west side, Grandma had lots of dahlias; round the house to the front or the north and the the east side - were trees, blossom trees, magnolias, a feijoa, a camellias, various roses - bush and climbing; lilacs, a wisteria, bird of paradise, and then around the back on the back path to the back door there was a Cecile Brunner pink rose, fuschias, violets, hellebores, Chinese lantern trees, snowball trees, a mulberry tree. Plus various flowers everywhere - stocks, snap dragons etc.  It was her pride and joy and I loved her garden and I loved Grandma. I also love Palm Trees because of the one from Grandma's garden and because I also admire Carlo Catani (1852-1918), Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, and who was very keen on Palm Trees. I write about Carlo here.

My Dad (Frank Rouse), my aunty  Marion, and Grandma - off to church on a Sunday, around 1955 - and there's our Palm Tree in the back, behind the water tank.

Grandma in front of the tree dahlia, 1966 - and there's our Palm Tree on the right,  next to the elevated tank.

No Palm Tree in this photo - but this is Evesham and Grandma with two children and holding a baby, most likely my dad, who was born December 1934.

Evesham, 1958. No Palm Trees in any of the following photos, but because I have talked about Grandma's garden, here are some photos.

Evesham, 1958

Evesham, 1964