A bit over 150 years ago, a couple of shearers decided to strike over pay and conditions. They met under this tree in Barcaldine for its shade, and from that a union movement was created, which lead to the creation of the Australian Labor Party.
This is the Tree of Knowledge.
A few years ago the Tree was poisoned (Joh Bjelke-Peterson’s ghost lives on in Queensland – it’s not a reflection on the decline in union membership) and so the local council has constructed a huge monument.
I remember seeing a news story about how the locals were outraged because it was so big and out of character. It is a bit weird and it doesn't really fit the rest of the town, but I like it.
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