Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Thursday, 14 February, 2019. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

New beginning for the Furphy Wilga tree

The Arboriculture team at Greater Shepparton City Council has been proactive in trying to save the declining tree in the past, but it unfortunately died some years ago.

The tree, which was famously planted more than 100 years ago by successful author and bullock team driver Joseph Furphy, has self-sown a small tree that has since established itself in the surrounding garden, meaning the tree will continue to live on.

Council Manager, Parks, Sports and Recreation Timothy Zak said the goal is to continue to honour Joseph Furphy.

“The Council Arboriculture team recently held a meeting with Bianca Furphy, relative of Joseph, to discuss the possibility of retaining part of the trunk for a sculpture of some kind that does not retract away from the two existing sculptures,” he said.

“After consultation with the family, they are happy with the decisions that council makes around the trees prune, so a sculpture can be done down the track.”

Bianca, who has been a key figure in the family’s communications with Council, said it is important to note the Furphy Tree’s legacy will continue in the self-seeded off spring tree.

“Over the years the tree has been the casualty of its age and life in an urban environment and slowly started to die,” she said.

“In 2005, with the help of Council, we lobbied to create a garden around the tree. In that process we commissioned the two sculptures that are there today, and because of this garden the tree has been given space to re-seed itself and create its off spring.”

Joseph Furphy moved to Shepparton in 1883 after spending time as a bullock driver in Hay.

On his travels his collected seeds and planted them upon his return. Those seeds later grew into the Furphy Tree, now producing its own descendants.

A design for the stump of the tree is under discussion.