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Gallipoli Oak Print Page Print this page

20-February-2022
20-February-2022

Photographs supplied by Tim Fitzgerald

The Gallipoli Oak commemorates the centenary of ANZAC and those who served in World War One.

As part of its commitment to celebrate and preserve our environmental heritage, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has 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 plan is to link each school with their local RSL sub-branch, so that a commemorative tree can be planted in a short ceremony to recognise the ANZAC Centenary.

The Gallipoli Oak grows along the ridges and valleys of the Gallipoli peninsula, in modern south-west Turkey. This is significant as the location of the first major battle undertaken by the ANZACs (Australian New Zealand Army Corps) during World War One.  Though the battle and subsequent campaign ultimately proved a failure, costing 26,111 Australian casualties including 8,141 deaths, it marked the beginning of the ANZAC legend.  In Turkey the battle is also perceived as a defining moment in the history of the Turkish people.

Acorns were collected by several soldiers during the campaign and sent or brought back to Australia where some were subsequently planted. One of these soldiers was Captain William Lempriere Winter-Cooke, who planted them in his family property near Hamilton in western Victoria. Several off-spring have been planted from this tree, including the AE2 Remembrance Tree at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

There are likely to be many trees from these sources growing across Victoria.

Location

Address:91 Creek Street, Creek Street Christian College, Bendigo, 3550
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -36.764882
Long: 144.271811
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Tree
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW1
Actual Event Start Date:04-August-1914
Actual Event End Date:28-June-1919
Link:http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic…

Dedication

Approx. Monument Dedication Date:2015
Front Inscription

Gallipoli Oak
Quercus coccifera subsp. calliprinos

Commemorating the ANZAC Centenary 2014 - 2018

This tree is a descendant of acorns sent home by a soldier at Gallipoli in 1915.  It has been planted by school children in remembrance of those who served in WW1.

Provided by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), supported by the RSL and other sponsors.

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au