Significant Trees of Rockhampton Preview

This is a surviving specimen of French pioneer botanist Anthelme Thozet’s mango plantation, which stretched from Rockonia Rd through to Joiner Street circa 1860 – 1923. Thozet successfully applied to the Queensland Acclimatisation Society in 1869 for the supply of mango seedlings with which to begin his plantation. Thozet firmly believed that the agricultural production of mangos would become a vital primary industry in rural Queensland.

Location: In the roadway near the corner of Mason and Bryant Street, Koongal.

These trees are remnants of French pioneer botanist Anthelme Thozet’s mango plantation and the last-surviving remains of his Muellerville property. Thozet played an integral part in early botanical science in colonial Queensland and the local area. Several landmarks are named after him including Thozet Rd, Frenchville, Frenchman’s Creek and Thozet Creek. Thozet is buried beneath these trees along with his son and daughter-in-law. A marker was erected on the graves by Council in 2012.

Location: Norris Park, Codd Street Koongal.

45 Peltophorum pterocarpum were planted in 1946- More were planted following years. These trees were originally planted by workers at the Lakes Creek Meatworks in memory of fellow workers who died in the Second World War. It is intended that this memorial avenue of trees will be protected from road widening or other development wherever possible and be extended in the future to the site of the Lakes Creek Meatworks.

Plantings were undertaken by the Rockhampton City Council as its contribution to the project. The project was funded by donations raised by the AMIEU from the meatworkers at Lakes Creek.

This is the site of the former North Rockhampton Railway Station. During the 1880’s – 1890’s the Queensland Government instigated a scheme to plant fruit trees at railway stations to provide both shade for waiting train passengers as well as fruit for the passengers to pick and eat along their journey. These three trees are reminiscent survivors of this era, given their close proximity to each other and to the site of the former station which was moved to the Kershaw Gardens during the 1980’s.

Location: Lakes Creek Road, between Little Musgrave Street and Edward Street, North Rockhampton.

These trees are believed to be the two trees planted by Henry Jones (Chairman of the Gogango Divisional Board) and William Pattison (former Rockhampton Mayor) at the opening of the Fitzroy River suspension bridge on New Years Day 1881.

Location: Reaney Street, North Rockhampton. Near the Fitzroy Bridge.

Thought to be a remnant of Cremorne Gardens, established by Frenchman Bernard Pene during the 1860’s. Cremorne Gardens hosted the White Horse Inn, and a racetrack, and was a popular destination for the Rockhampton townsfolk of the day. People would travel across the river by ferry to attend Saturday afternoon race meetings and would then stay on for the Saturday night dance held at the inn. The gates from Cremorne Gardens now stand at the main entrance to the Rockhampton Showgrounds on Exhibition Road.

Location: Reaney Street, Near the Fitzroy Bridge.

There is no current background to this Fig. It is, however, an excellent specimen and unusual to be growing where it is.

Located: Goodsall Street North Rockhampton, behind St John's Ambulance.

These trees are remnants of a street tree planting undertaken by French botanist Anthelme Thozet in 1867 at his own expense. Thozet grew and planted all of the trees himself and the planting attracted a great deal of public acclaim at the time as it was Rockhampton’s first street beautification project. A marker has been installed on the site by the Rockhampton Historical Society.

Location: Quay Street along the riverside between Denham and Derby Street, Rockhampton.

This tree was planted 22 June, 1887 by Thomas Kelly, Mayor of Rockhampton, to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The planting was also attended by James Scott Edgar, Curator of the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens.

Below is an excerpt from The Capricornian - Sunday, 26 June, 1887.

“Later in the day the Mayor planted a Banyan Tree at the end of the principal avenue in Victoria Park in the presence of several ladies and aldermen, and under the direction of Mr. J. S. Edgar, Curator of the Botanical Gardens. It was remarked of the tree by Mr. Edgar that it was the most suitable for the occasion, being typical of the British Empire. It spreads its arms (branches) all around, and once it gets a hold on a country it stays there. The hope expressed by the Mayor was that the tree may spread its branches far and wide, and be for ever a memento to Rockhampton and its people of the Jubilee of the first Queen who, in their remembrance, had lived to reign for fifty years over the United Kingdom and her dependencies”.

Location: Out the front of Bravus Arena, Rockhampton.

Planted circa 1880 by James Edgar, first curator of Rockhampton Botanic Gardens as Rockhampton Municipal Council’s first street beautification program.

Location: These trees extend along Bolsover Street between Cambridge and South Street, although some have been removed in places.

This tree is situated at Goldston House, built at the Rockhampton railway terminus in 1865 and intended to be the manager's residence as part of the Great Northern Railway.

Location: Derby Street, Rockhampton. Close to the corner of Derby and George Streets.

These trees (some 200 in number) were planted circa 1946/1947 as part of Rockhampton City Council's commitment to the (then) newly-formed 'Save the Trees' Campaign. Former Mayor of Rockhampton, Ald. H. Jeffries, was a member of the 'Save The Trees' Campaign Committee. The trees were planted by Rockhampton school children as part of a broader street beautification program.

Location: These trees can be found along the length of Murray Street from Wandal Road through to South Street, Rockhampton.

These trees appear to mark the outer oval of the early cricket ground at Bolton Park established around 1934. Bolton Park was named after Michael Bolton, an early grocery merchant of Allenstown and alderman of the WW1 era Rockhampton City Council.

Location: Situated around the edge of Bolton Park, Rockhampton.

Clancholla House is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as Place ID 601592. Trees / plantings on the grounds form part of that listing.

Location: Ward Street, The Range.

The background of these trees is unknown, but these are very old trees. Early land tenure (approx. 1869) shows J. Ward as then owner. J. Ward was the founder of The Morning Bulletin newspaper.

Location: corner of Henry and Spencer Street, Allenstown.

The background of this tree is unknown, however early tenure (approx. 1869) shows W. James as then owner. This may be the fig associated with Jane Allan (referred to on pp 355 of Lorna McDonald’s book). The suburb of Allenstown was named after her.

Location: cortner of Upper Dawson Road and Separation Street, Allenstown.

The background of this tree is unknown, however, early land tenure (approx. 1869) shows J. Ward as then owner. J. Ward was founder of The Morning Bulletin newspaper.

Location: Beside former Boldeman’s Soaps complex on Upper Dawson Road, opposite South Rockhampton Cemetary.