The Tree is dead

To-day, official reports have come that the Tree of Knowledge at Barcaldine, in central western Queensland, is dead. The Tree of Knowledge was included in The National Heritage List for the following reasons:

(a) the place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia's cultural history - for its association with the Shearers' Strike of 1891 and as the starting point of political and social processes, which led to the eventual formation of the Australian Labor Party.

(b) the place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons - for its association with the Trade Union Movement and Labour/May Day celebrations

Now a person or persons unknown has/have poisoned The Tree and it is dead.

The tree had struggled but was kept alive with a great deal of skill by specialist arborists and the determination of a number of local Barcaldine people led by long-time/life-time Australian Labor Party stalwart, Pat Ogden - the Licensed Victualler of the Globe Hotel.

There is hope, though. In 2005, Labour Day in Barcaldine saw the planting of a strong and healthy offspring of the Tree of Knowledge. The 14-year-old offspring was raised from cuttings made by Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries scientists in 1990, and planted in Barcaldine on Labour Day.

Miss Eagle wishes to pay tribute to Pat Ogden and his stalwart committee members who for so long not only kept The Tree alive but also kept alive Barcaldine's place in Australian history. Miss Eagle had the privilege of flying the Labor flag at two elections back in the '80s in the Federal seat of Kennedy, of which Barcaldine is a significant party. She knows first hand of the work that has been done by Pat Ogden, the committee, and the community of Barcaldine.

She was there for the marvellous first re-enactment of the Shearers' Strike in the early '80s produced and directed by the late Gilbert Spottiswood. Then afterwards she recalls adjourning to the Globe Hotel. The front bar was overflowing and in the tiny dining room at the back a rowdy talent quest was conducted on a dining room chair with the audience awarding points in the manner of Shearers 3-Squatters 0.

Such a night had never been seen in Barcy and was only exceeded by the celebrations on the Labor Day weekend of 1991 to mark the birth of the Australian Labor Party underneath the Tree of Knowledge during the Shearers' Strike. Those celebrations were so mighty that the Globe was drunk dry.

Working in Melbourne

In this Victoria, our dear land,

The first that dared be free,

To show the world what freedom meant

In new lands 'cross the sea
- Ode to the Eight Hours' PioneersHamilton MackinnonApril 21, 1896

This year marks the 150th Anniversary of the gaining of the eight hour day for working people. As in so many things, there is rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne. This time it is about who initiated the eight hour day. However, Melbourne doesn't give a fig. Here, it is full steam ahead with the celebrations.

As part of the Eight Hour Day 150th Anniversary Project, Melbourne Conversations is staging a special event this coming Thursday, 22 June, from 6.15 pm to 8.00 pm, at the RMIT Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne, opposite the Melbourne Town Hall.

The conversation is Working in Melbourne 1856-2056: Certainty and Uncertainty? An interesting panel has been assembled:

• Dr Phil Burgess, Group Managing Director, Public Policy and Communication, Telstra
• Richard Marles, Assistant Secretary, ACTU
• Dr Jill Murray, Senior Lecturer, La Trobe Law, La Trobe University
• Professor Barbara Pocock, Director of the Centre for Work and Life, University of South Australia

The MC for the evening is Peter Mares, presenter of The National Interest, on ABC's Radio National.

May Day: tradition, politics and Melbourne 2006

To-day, May 1, is a day steeped in ancient culture and political history.

It is May Day.

Culturally, May Day is associated with ancient festivals to mark the return of the sun and the life and fertility of spring. This is a bit difficult to appreciate in the Southern Hemisphere. Here in the cold, wintry part at the bottom of Australia, the sun - far from returning - plays hide and seek. May Poles are not seen as frequently as they once were.

In Australia, May Day celebrations are political events. Having said that, however, there are only two regions which actually celebrate fully. These are the Northern Territory and Queensland. This year, May Day, May 1, falls on the first Monday of May. This means that celebrations will actually be held on the day. Queensland and the NT celebrate on the first Monday in May - and there is a public holiday on which to do so - which, needless to say, is not always May 1. Queensland refers to its celebrations as Labour Day. The NT celebrations carry the traditional name of May Day. Other places may celebrate but keep their marches to the weekends either side of May 1. These places have workers celebrations with public holidays on other days, which vary from state to state, under the heading of either Labour Day or Eight Hour Day.

With John Howard's new industrial regime established and May Day being the first day of operation of the newly established Fair Pay Commission it will be interesting to see the attendance numbers and amount of protest in Brisbane and Darwin.

MELBOURNE MAY DAY EVENTS 2006

May Day wreath laying ceremony. Thurs May 4, 5.30pm.

Eight Hour Day monument, Trades Hall, 54 Victoria St, Sth Carlton. Ph Len 0438 389 302.

Student strike organising committee working bee for May Day rally. Sat May 6, 1pm.

Resistance Centre, lvl 5, 407 Swanston St, city. Ph 9639 8622

Socialist Alliance May Day breakfast & toast. Sun May 7, 11am.

Druids House, lvl 5, 407 Swanston St, city.

May Day: Fight for workers' rights! Sun May 7, 1pm.

Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victoria sts, Carlton.