The Fallen Trees of Barrambin

A visual remembrance of the ancient trees destroyed by the Queensland Government and GIICA in August 2026

On Thursday 6 August 2026, the Queensland Government, GIICA and contractor BMD began clearing trees at Victoria Park Barrambin for the proposed Olympic stadium.

The destruction began while federal legal challenges under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act (ATSIHPA) were still underway. Before final plans for the stadium had been completed and before the community had been given the opportunity to respond to the stadium masterplan.

Over 3 days -

More than 200 trees were destroyed
Including 10 pre-settlement trees (200+ years old)

This included the oldest recorded tree in Victoria Park Barrambin, a Small-fruited Grey Gum we called Albert, estimated to be almost 600 years old.

On the first day of clearing, Gaja Kerry Charlton and the Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) lodged emergency applications under sections 18 and 9 of the ATSIHP Act.

These emergency provisions exist to protect significant Aboriginal areas where injury or desecration may occur before longer-term protection can be considered.

That ATSIHPA office and Minister Murray Watt failed to make a timely declaration on these emergency applications which allowed the clearing to continue.

This page serves as a remembrance of the many ancient, sacred and heritage-listed trees destroyed senselessly during these days.

“Henry”

Corymbia henryi Large-leaved Spotted Gum

Tree ID 755
Estimated age: 365 years
Height: 26 metres
Trunk diameter: 1.24 metres
Crown: 20 metres

A towering spotted gum and one of the tallest trees in the park, Henry stood high on the ridge below the Function Centre, looking out over Magandjin (Brisbane) for centuries. He was instantly recognisable by the great lightning scar running up one side of his trunk.

By the time the city of Brisbane was colonised, Henry was already an old tree. For generations he stood through heat, storms, drought and rain.

People walked beneath him, rested beneath him and camped beneath his branches. More recently, the Barrambin Djar camp was established in his shade.

For Save Victoria Park volunteers, he became known simply as Henry, a name drawn from his species, Corymbia henryi.

He was photographed, painted and loved. He appeared in many artworks, including Sam Harrison’s Veteran Tree.

For centuries, Henry stood on that ridge. In August 2026, he was cut down.

c. 1661 – 2026

“Albert”

Eucalyptus propinqua
Small-fruited Grey Gum

Tree ID 266
Estimated age: 594 years
Height: 19 metres
Trunk diameter: 1.96 metres
Crown: 10 metres

Albert was the oldest recorded tree in Victoria Park Barrambin.

A magnificent Small-fruited Grey Gum with a trunk almost two metres across, he was estimated to be around 594 years old.

Albert may have begun growing around 1432.

This mighty tree stood for nearly six centuries at Barrambin. Generations came and went around him. He would have born witness to Barrambin as a Homeland for First Nations people.

With a large hollow, the kind that can take more than 200 years to form, Albert was a favourite with local wildlife. His trunk bore the scratches of countless animals searching for food and shelter, and his branches were often alive with rainbow lorikeets, noisy miners, cockatoos and galahs. It was impossible to walk past Albert and not be drawn in by the song of birds.

In August 2026, Albert was cut down.

c. 1432 – 2026

“2Up”

Eucalyptus tereticornis
Queensland Blue Gum

Tree ID 501
Estimated age: 417 years
Height: 24 metres
Trunk diameter: 1.25 metres
Crown: 14 metres

2Up was one of the most distinctive trees in Victoria Park Barrambin.

From a single base rose two great stems, giving him the appearance of two trees growing side by side, almost like twins. Arborists told us that despite appearances, 2Up was in fact one tree.

He was also one of the oldest trees in the park, estimated to be around 417 years old. He may have begun growing around 1609, more than two centuries before Brisbane was colonised.

Queensland Blue Gums are a favourite food tree of koalas. Looking at a tree that had stood at Barrambin for more than four centuries, it is easy to imagine 2Up once feeding and sheltering koalas living around York’s Hollow, long before Magadjin (Brisbane) grew around him.

For generations, he stood there with his two great trunks rising together from the earth. Unique, ancient and unmistakably 2Up.

In August 2026, he was cut down.

c. 1609 – 2026