Golden Valley Tree Park

Statement of Significance

Golden Valley Tree Park is a rare example of a public arboretum established by the community as a joint project with CALM and has high aesthetic value as a developed landscape. It illustrates the development of European influences on the landscape and provides a resource and reference for the study and development of introduced and indigenous tree species in the region. The proximity of the adjacent Golden Valley Homestead adds to the understanding of the place.

Physical Description

Golden Valley Tree Park is an arboretum formed on 60 ha of land that slopes gently towards a creek bed. There are a large number of both exotic and indigenous trees planted in groups and singly, linked by gravelled footpaths and interspersed with lawned areas. The Cleveland family lived at "Yungerup" in the first half of the twentieth century and planted elms, persimmons, English oaks, maples, liquid ambers, cedars and poplars, many of which remain and form the basis of the layout. Using the basis of the original established trees, the first plantings for the arboretum began in July 1981 and have continued under sponsorship by various people within the community and around the State. Plantings include Australian Cedar (Toona australis), Cape Lilac, Common Alder (Alnus gutmosa), Evergreen Alder (Alnus juralsnsis), Paulownia australis, Paulownia fortunei, Paulownia fargesii, Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonoides), various ash trees such as Golden Ash and Claret Ash, Golden Poplar ( Populus serotina), Quince (Cydona oblogna), Camphor (Cinamomun camphora),Deodor Cedar (Cedrus deodora), Simon Poplar (Populus simoni), Liquidambar (Liquidambar styracyia), Paper Bark Birch (Betula papyera), Oaks, Blue Atlas Cedar ( Cedrus atlantica glauca), Colarado blue spruce (Picea pungens), Cutleaf Birch ( Betula pendula tristis), an avenue of Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus lebani), and many others. The Australian collection is very low key in its presentation, and there are few facilities and almost no interpretation on the site. Plantings include Yellow Stringy Bark, Silky Oak, Tuart, Juniper Myrtle, Blue Gum, River Gum, Jarrah, and Silky Oak Other facilities in the park include picnic tables and seats, barbecues and toilets. There is also an old style hand pump for water. A gazebo and information centre has been constructed of natural materials, with a shingle roof and stone floor.

History

On 20 July 1885, Charles Fox Roberts, farmer, of Bunbury, was granted Nelson Location 165, 197 acres in area, in return for an annual peppercorn rent. "Golden Valley", named for the spring bloom of wattles lining the creek, was settled in c.1890 by John Roberts, of Capel. In late 1898, passengers on the second train to Balingup included Frank and Margaret Cleveland, who made their home at "Yungerup", its name meaning 'watering (but Frost, p. 43, states ‘walking’) place of the kangaroo'. From c. 1903, he operated the store next to the newly completed Balingup Hotel for some years before he relinquished it and concentrated on developing an orchard at Yungerup. He became one of the biggest fruit growers in the district, After he died in 1941, his son, Eric, continued the orchard, which his sister maintained while he served in the Armed Forces during World War II. During the 53 years the Cleveland family lived at Yungerup their tree plantings included elms, persimmons, oaks, maples, liquid ambers, cedars and poplars, some of which survive in Golden Valley Tree Park in the early 2000s. On 16 December 1977, the place was transferred to the Conservator of Forests. On 10 July 1981, Certificate of Title Vol. 1269 Fol. 387 was totally cancelled, and a new Certificate was issued for portion of Nelson Location 165. That month, using the basis of the original established trees, the first plantings were made for the Tree Park. These were native trees on Dearle Drive and plantings on the eastern side of the Park. On 18 April 1981, the Conservator of Forests, Bruce Begg officially opened the Tree Park. A large gathering of dignitaries and locals shared a picnic luncheon under the large oak trees. In subsequent years, there have been continued plantings of trees sponsored by various people within the community and around the State. Over the years various improvements have been provided in the Park, including picnic tables and seats, barbecues and toilets, and an old style hand pump for water. A gazebo and information centre has been constructed of natural materials, with a shingle roof and stone floor.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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