Ideas wanted for Wagstaffe Square garden

The Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association is wanting ideas for the garden around the paperback tree standing in the centre of Wagstaffe Square.

The tree is an iconic part of the Wagstaffe scenery, positioned in-between the store, community centre and wharf.

Association vice-president Ms Robyn Warburton said that, ever since the early 20th Century, there had been a tree standing in the same location in the heart of the community.

"For many decades at its centre was a Coral Tree... [before] a Norfolk Pine replaced [it] about 1960 and grew to be a much-admired magnificent feature of the square," Ms Warburton said.

"John Bell suggested Christmas lights and they were installed at Christmas time for a few years, funded by the Association, with the assistance of Council staff and their cherry picker."

When this tree died, the association purchased a new Norfolk Pine to replace it.

"Unfortunately, this tree did not grow straight, as Norfolk Pines should, so it was given a nick-name, 'Eileen Dover'.

"The next Norfolk Pine was healthy and growing vigorously and straight.

"It too was decorated with lights at Christmas time.

"Eighty or more native tube-stock plants were planted in the garden by an Association member with expertise in native plants.

"But, disaster struck the little tree.

"It began to die 'in stripes' as though sprayed with poison.

"The Association decided to survey the community to replace it with another species: the top choices being a paperbark or tuckeroo.

"While the matter was being discussed, the young plants began to grow.

"They had come from a nursery that backed onto a paperback forest, and a few additional young trees had come too-paperbarks.

"While some were in the wrong place and had to be removed, one grew in the centre.

"That was 10 years ago and now the tree and the garden have matured and are ready for a face-lift."

The Association is considering different ways to decorate the garden, with one idea being the installation of a sculpture.

They are asking the community for ideas which will be assessed by the Association members with the committee making the final decision.

If you would like to contribute to the discussion, submissions may be sent to association president Mr Mike Allsop at mjallsop@optusnet.com.au.

Source:

Newsletter, May 2020,

Robyn Warburton, WTKCA