Eyes of the tree

THE recent intersection upgrade outside the Beerwah State School required the removal of trees and vegetation as part of the road widening works.

The cultural heritage team from the Department of Transport and Main Roads worked collaboratively with the Kabi Kabi First Nations People and the Beerwah State School executive team to preserve a section of one of the oldest trees.

The tree was treated and laid outside the school hall to acknowledge its significance and celebrate its history, which were lost in the roadworks project.

A ceremony was held to recognise its installation, which included a Kabi Kabi performance, a Welcome to Country and a story titled ‘From the eyes of the tree’, which detailed the long life of the tree and all it had observed in the area over the years.

This important learning and reflection place was made possible through collaboration with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Corporation, Helping Hands Beerwah, Beerwah State School P&C Association and Beerwah Print.