Galamarrma, The Tree of Knowledge, Darwin, Australia
S 12° 27.874 E 130° 50.723
52L E 700567 N 8621377
A tree of cultural significance to both the aboriginal and the Australian eurasian diaspora.
Waymark Code: WM6Y1X
Location: Northern Territory, Australia
Date Posted: 08/03/2009
Views: 25
The Galamarrma, or Tree of Knowledge is located in the courtyard of the Darwin Civic Center. Unfortunately an estimated age of the tree is not provided, but given that the tree was well established at the arrival of Europeans, 200-300 years is not unreasonable. A nearby plaque provides information on the tree and reads:
Located on the site of the old Terminus Hotel in Darwin's old Chinatown, this tree has been used as a meeting place, postal address and community notice board. It was also a place where Chinese youth met with and learned from their elders and where wisdom was gained in its shade.
Known as the Tree of Knowledge, this ancient tree is culturally significant to the Larrakia Aboriginal people who know it as "Galamarrma". The tree, a Banyan (ficus virens) was well established by 1898 and is believed to be a part of the remnant rainforest which made way for the town of Palmerston - later Darwin.
The Terminus Hotel was progressively demolished following it closure in November 1931 and in 1969 community pressure saw the plans for the new Civic Center altered by three meters to accommodate the significant part of Darwin' history and heritage.
Darwin has been through three very destructive cyclones, including Tracy on Christmas Day 1974, and World War II when Chinatown was destroyed by fire. And, through it all, Galamarrma has survived to remind us of our past.
Pay parking is available in the Civic Center parking lot.
Genus/Species: Banyan (ficus virens)
Height: 40
Girth: 50
Method of obtaining height: Sighting along a 45 degree angle
Method of obtaining girth: Reliable source
Location type: Other public property
Age: 250
Historical significance:
This tree was significant to the orginal Larakia people, the chinese settlers of Chinatown, the original European settlers and later residents thought enough to save the tree by moving the new concil chambers to suit.
The tree is in public land.
Planter: Believed to be part of the rainforest that predates European exploration.
Parking coordinates: S 12° 27.899 E 130° 50.760
Walk time: 1
Website reference: Not listed
Photograpy coordinates: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
A closeup picture of your GPS receiver in your hand, with the tree in the background, is required. If the tree is on private property, this closeup photograph with the tree in the background may be taken from the nearest public vantage point without actually going to the tree.
The required photograph does not need to show the entire tree, but the individual tree must be recognizable.