Spitting Chips

By Lilly O’Gorman
DESPITE subdued crowds flocking to see the removal of the most significant and historic oak lining Clyde Road last weekend, anger is still bubbling among some community members devastated by its removal.
Project foreman Josh Willis of BMD Construction said about 200 people came to watch over the course of the day as the oak was removed on Sunday to make way for the Clyde Road duplication works.
“We were expecting more unhappy people, but everyone can see it’s part of progress,” Mr Willis said.
Everyone, it seems, but Syd Pargeter and Julianne Bell, secretary of the Protectors of Public Lands Victoria (PPL VIC).
Ms Bell released a statement saying PPL VIC was “appalled” at the removal of the tree.
Mr Pargeter said removing the tree was an act of “cowardice, ignorance and stupidity”.
“I’m absolutely ashamed, as a former mayor, and a councillor for 27 years, of the weak-kneed cowardice of our civic fathers,” Mr Pargeter said.
“I think it is evil and stupid. It’s so grossly stupid to have killed living history that it ranks with the most stupid thing human beings have done.”
However, president of the Berwick District Woodworkers Association Chris Drysdale said careful consultation had been undertaken with the community to devise a plan to preserve the historic ‘Langmore Tree’ said to have been planted in the 1870s.
In a partnership between Monash University and the Berwick District Woodworkers Association, the tree is set to be transformed into a piece of public art located at Monash University’s Berwick campus over the next five years.
“We’ve spoken to all the people against it and they are all on side because they realised there was nothing else that could be done,” Mr Drysdale said.
“It’s a win for the community.”
Edrington Ward councillor Judy Owen said that it was necessary to forsake the tree for the sake of better traffic flow.
“I do think that this is a good result,” she said.
Professor Leon Piterman, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Berwick and Peninsula said the tree would be transformed into a enduring piece of public art depicting the history of Berwick, Monash University’s place in the Berwick community, the early days of road making in Victoria as well as a number of three-dimensional carvings depicting native fauna.
“The project has the support of the whole Monash community, and while the final location of the sculpture is still to be determined, it will be located in a prominent position to maximise exposure to both the university community and the community at large,” Professor Piterman said.
Charlie Broadhurst, project director, South eastern Projects said VicRoads acknowledged the importance of the tree to the Berwick community and is committed to continue working with community stakeholders throughout the Clyde Road Upgrade.
“VicRoads has worked closely with the Berwick District Woodworkers Club and Monash University to develop a strategy to remove and preserve this tree as a public art carving to honour Berwick’s history,” Mr Broadhurst said.