Planting puzzle: Two trees alongside Moore St, outside the southern entrance to the Rochester Railway Station, have unknown planting origins. There is a suggestion they were planted during the royal visit of 1954.
Rochester historians have drawn a blank on the origins of two trees that were reportedly planted by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during their fleeting visit to the town in 1954.
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The trees are located at the southern entrance to the Rochester Railway Station, outside Graeme Nelson Motors — on the side of the road in Moore St.
The Royal visit, in 1954, involved the Queen and Prince Philip shaking hands as they moved through a crowd that was estimated at 10,000 people, during a 15-minute stay at the station.
There is no documented tree planting in any of the newspapers of the day, which is unusual considering the detailed account of the visit and what the royal couple did while briefly stopping at the station.
It was Graeme Nelson who brought the trees to my attention when we met last week, explaining he had been told of their history by a former customer of his mechanical business.
“Apparently he was there and witnessed the trees being planted by the Queen and Prince Philip,” Mr Nelson said.
A footbridge used to be located at the site, but there has never been any monument or plaque attributing the planting of the trees to the royals.
Unfortunately there are very few people alive today who were of an age to confirm the tree planting, even the historical society’s members — one who was there — cannot remember if a tree planting was part of the visit.
The historical society does not believe the couple would have had the time to complete a tree planting, although they have not discounted the suggestion.
Mr Nelson has a significant interest in the trees not only because of their proximity to his business, but for the fact he was among a handful of Rochester people to meet the queen following the 2011 floods.
Mr Nelson was also the recipient of an OAM six years ago for his community work.
The two roadside trees have a towering gum tree behind them, which Mr Nelson remembers being only a sapling when he arrived in 1956.
“The little wooden bridge that was there was pulled out in 1994,” he said.
Rochester historians said a map of where the Queen walked and details of who she spoke to was detailed in the Rochester Irrigator of the day.
Historian John Foster said the group did investigate the history of the trees rather thoroughly and came to the conclusion that they did not plant the trees.
“We are not saying it is not true, but it wasn’t that long ago that we investigated the event,” Mr Foster said.
“There was nine or 10-thousand people there. She (the Queen) walked in a circle down onto the highway, but no mention of her stopping to plant a tree.
“They could have been planted in honour of the visit.”
The Campaspe News is calling on anyone who may have further details about when the trees were plented and who was involved in their planting. You can send the details into rohan.aldous@mmg.com.au
Whistle-stop tour: Queen Elizabeth starts her brief visit of Rochester after arriving by train in 1954.
