Olive Trees

Statement of Significance

The Olive Trees have some historic significance being planted by the Panegyres family circa 1927, a Greek family who have made a significant contribution to the development of the Town of Vincent community. The Olive Trees have some social significance being valued by the community through its historic and social associations with the Panegyres family and the Greek community in Leederville more generally. The Olive Trees have some aesthetic value as it forms a significant element in the historic streetscape of Leederville.

Physical Description

The subject Olive Trees are the common black olive 'Olea europea' which are believed to be planted circa 1927 for a domestic garden. The tree to the southwest has a multi stemmed trunk, with the smaller tree having a single stemmed trunk. In July 2008 both trees have spreading canopies each estimated to be six metres in width. The trees trunks are gnarled and twisted. The Olive Trees are short and squat, measuring about 12 metres in height, typical of this variety of Olive Tree. The silvery green leaves are oblong in shape, measuring 4–10 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. There is suckering basal growth evident under the Olive Trees. To remove this growth would reveal the true structural shape and form of the two trees. This variety of Olive tree features small white flowers, with four-cleft calyx and corolla, two stamens and bifid stigma, which are borne generally on the last year's wood, in racemes springing from the axils of the leaves. Typically the fruit appears as a small drupe between 1 - 1.25 meters long. The Olive Trees are located at the southwest corner of No. 1 The Avenue, at the verge of Leederville Parade, Leederville. Their originally setting in a domestic garden has been completely lost with the advent of the construction of the Mitchell Freeway.

History

The Olive Trees are believed to have been planted by the Panegyres family, a well-known family in Leederville that migrated to Perth from Kastellorizon, a small island in Greece, in the 1910s.The Panegyres established the Leederville Fish Supply at Oxford Street in the 1920s. The Olive Trees were planted in the backyard of the family home at No. 2 (Lot 7) Woolwich Street, Leederville circa 1927. From a historical perspective, the Greeks regard the olive tree as a symbol of victory and honour. Many of the Panegyres family and social gatherings were held under the olive trees, such as Greek Name Days and pre-wedding activities. In the 1960s No. 2 Woolwich Street, with the Olive Trees in the backyard, fell within the boundary of the land resumption area under the Mitchell Freeway project. Following the construction of the Freeway, it eventuated that although the dwelling itself was demolished to allow for the construction of Leederville Parade, the rear of the block where the olive trees were located was spared. These two Olive Trees now form part of the Avenue Car Park.

Uses

Historic Themes

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Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.