The Gallipoli Oak
As part of its commitment to celebrate and preserve Victoria’s environmental heritage, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), identified the Gallipoli Oak tree (Quercus coccifera subsp. calliprinos) as “a symbolic link between the Centenary of ANZAC, the people of Turkey and the primary school children of Victoria”.
The Chiltern Primary School community expressed their desire to be involved in the planting of a commemorative, Gallipoli Oak, during the Centenary of ANZAC period 2015 – 2018, as one of over 650 primary schools in Victoria, who registered to become part of the Gallipoli Oaks story.
The project demonstrated the National Trust’s and the community’s commitment, to the passing on of the Gallipoli history from generation-to-generation, as well as teaching an important environmental message about caring for significant trees.
The concept to plant seedlings that are direct descendants of acorns from Gallipoli, provides an educational link, helping school students consider the environment that WW1 soldiers endured during the campaign.
Chiltern Primary School is proud to feature their Gallipoli Oak, in the hope it will continue to prosper as an enduring, living memorial.
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The Lone Pine
There is a long and widespread tradition in towns and cities across Australia, of planting either Pinus halepensis (Aleppo Pine) or Pinus brutia (Turkish Pine) as a solitary and significant reminder of war service and sacrifice during WW1 and the Gallipoli campaign.
These living memorials can be found in pocket parks, larger memorial parks, as a feature incorporated into recreational sporting grounds, outside Returned Services League’s’ clubrooms, cemeteries, and not surprisingly, in many school yards.
Chiltern Primary School is very proud and protective of their Lone Pine (Pinus halepensis), donated by the Legacy organisation.
Late in 2024, installation of new, bushfire suppression infrastructure has all but disguised the location of the small, Gallipoli Oak and the larger Lone Pine. The line-of-site, educational focal point for these living memorials compromised.
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Chiltern Primary School has long observed ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies, using these living memorials as a poignant part of such commemoration.
Other Links of Interest
