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Diamond Jubilee of Queen VictoriaPrint Page 
The tree commemorates the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria in 1897. The tree was removed from its original location in 1965 and replanted in Queens park.
Victoria (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she adopted the additional title of Empress of India. With a reign of 63 years, seven months and two days, Victoria was the longest -reigning British monarch and the longest-reigning queen regnant in world history until her great-great-granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her on 9 September 2015.
Queen Victoria`s birthday, 24th May, used to be called `Empire Day`. There were special assemblies at school with songs praising the British Empire. Children were then given a half-day holiday. Up to the 1950s, Empire Day was celebrated in Australia with huge bonfires and fireworks.
The beautiful Indian religious fig tree (ficus religiosa) at the intersection of Sydney and Victoria streets, which is known as the Jubilee tree, is now in full green leaf. This tree Is not far off Its own golden jubilee, for it is nearly 48 years since, it was planted. Though earth roads and fresh country air have given place to hard encasing bitumen and pavements, and the fumes of traffic, the tree flourishes and is one of the finest in the city. The tree was planted to commemorate the sixtieth year of the reign of Queen Victoria, which was completed on June 20, 1897 — 60 "glorious years." A Mackay citizen who was present at the planting recalls that the day was one of general rejoicing. The school children were assembled at the intersection, and there was a procession which was headed by the late Colonel W. G. Hodges, and his Mounted Infantry. Buns, bananas, and medals struck for the occasion were distributed to the youngsters. The Mayor of Mackay at the time was Mr. H. B. Black, and his daughter, Miss B. Black (now Mrs. J. Ferguson) planted the young tree, after the speeches proper to the day had been made. A sensation was caused among the crowd when one of the horses (in those days the horse had not been superseded by the motor car) ran amok. To this day the intersection because of its central position, is the scene of a goodly quota of Mackay's traffic accidents.
Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld.), 11 January 1945.
Location
| Address: | Goldsmith Street, Queens Park, East Mackay, 4740 |
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| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -21.146411 Long: 149.194799 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Tree |
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| Monument Theme: | Government |
| Sub-Theme: | Imperial |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 20-June-1837 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 20-June-1897 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Tuesday 22nd June, 1897 |
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Ficus Religiosa
This, the "Jubilee Tree", was planted at the intersection of Victoria and Sydney Sts, Mackay, by Miss B. Black, daughter of His
Worship the Mayor Alderman H. B. Black on the 22nd June, 1897.
The occasion was the Diamond Jubilee of 60 years in the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
The "Jubilee Tree" was removed to this spot on the 10th August, 1965, to make way for the installation of traffic signals, introduced in Mackay during the term of office (7. 6. 52 to 3. 5. 67) of His Worship the Mayor Alderman John Binnington.
