Our introduction to the Tree of Knowledge (see Website http://www.cap.nsw.edu.au/bb_site_intro/specialplaces/special_places_st3/TreeofKnowledge/tree_of_knowledge.htm) occurred as we drove through the main street of Barcaldine sighting what is surely the ugliest of structures known to man. This monolith appears as a 'box' of timber supported by steel girders about 4 metres high and so obviously in great need of our investigations (see daylight photos). However we had a more pressing need at that moment which was to settle into the caravan park for the evening (in what turned our to be our noisiest night EVER in a caravan park but that's another story) and organise our dinner. We later returned to the main street to explore the town after dark. As we again drove toward the monolith we were stunned to see what appeared to be a 'tree'. The nighttime vision of the structure is brilliant - there is a 'tree growing under the box'! As we stood in awe of its design we met a Labor Party devotee who informed us reverently that the monument cost only $8 million dollars and was the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party. The website listed above gives you the full rundown on the story.
The clever design and lighting gives the impression of tree branches and leaves, whether you looked at it from a distance or stand underneath it. You will see by the photos that it consists of planks of wood, about 10 x 10 centimetres, all in different lengths, suspended by steel rods and (hopefully) secure bolts. The planks bump against each other giving a chime effect, although we didn't fancy standing underneath in a stiff breeze. The original tree, poisoned some years ago but preserved and placed back into exactly the same place, is now protected by the canopy of the new 'tree'. There is really something quite beautiful about it, certainly when viewed under lights, and is no wonder the monument is included in the National Heritage List.
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