General News
23 February, 2022
Horsham College historical tree poisoned
A historic tree has been lost following a deliberate poisoning at a popular community sporting oval.
AUTHORITIES are currently undergoing investigations into the alleged deliberate poisoning of a very old tree at the Horsham College Community Oval.
The over 100-year-old peppercorn tree has been deteriorating after holes were allegedly bored into its trunk and filled with poison late last year.
The tree is scheduled to be removed in the coming weeks.
Horsham Rural City Council mayor Robyn Gulline said all trees in the Horsham municipality comprise significant investments made by the council.
“The Horsham College Oval is important to our community and is used by many different groups including Jung Tigers Cricket Club and Horsham Hockey Club,” she said.
“Trees offer shade and shelter and are keenly sought after on a sunny day. Horsham Rural City Council invests significant funds every year planting and maintaining the trees in our municipality.”
Wimmera River Improvement Committee and Tidy Towns members Gary Aitken has been planting trees in the Wimmera Mallee for 80 years and described the act as “frightfully criminal”.
“We on the Wimmera River Improvement Committee plant hundreds of trees every year to try and replant the trees that have been lost over the years and improve the shade and environment,” he said.
“If we don’t have trees we wouldn’t have shade. It’s paramount to the area that we live in.
“The peppercorn trees originate from South America, they’re not native to Australia.
“The reason why these trees were planted throughout the Wimmera Mallee is for horses to shelter under them, because they wouldn’t be attacked by insects.”
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Horsham College school captain, speaking on his own behalf, Bart Turgoose said the poisoning was an incident that affected many who regularly use the oval and its surrounds.
“From all reports that I have read it looks as if the tree has been deliberately poisoned which I find upsetting in the fact the tree is a century old and has stood there and provided shade,” he said.
“It looked amazing when healthy but now is an eyesore for the area. It is unfortunate that someone has had to ruin it for the rest of us.
“The history of peppercorn trees being planted throughout Australia dates back to the 19th century as they are an introduced species. A lot of these peppercorn trees were planted to brighten up a space, which is exactly what this one did.”
Councillor Gulline asked anyone with information to contact the Horsham Council or police.
“All the evidence points to deliberate poisoning,” she said.
“This is a callous, selfish act that destroys natural habitat, degrades the area’s appearance and deprives the community of trees that have stood where they are for decades.
“We’re asking for anyone who might know anything about this vandalism to help us find the people responsible, either by contacting Council or police.”