20160405 Tas Legerwood to Scottsdale

20160405  I had tears in my eyes when reading the stories behind the trees and the men who gave their lives, very sad.  Legerwood, a tiny settlement near Ringarooma, had not even been named in 1914 when the call went out for young men to join the Anzac's to fight in WW1.  Able bodied fathers, husbands and sons bravely steeped forward, seven of these men did not return.  Nine trees were planted, one for each man, one for Gallipoli and one for the Anzac's.  As war time residents moved on the reason for the trees remained known only to a few of the locals, then in 1999 the trees were declared a safety risk so the town rallied and enlisted the talents of skilled chainsaw carver Eddie Freeman, to bring the soldiers back to life in sculpture.  Extensive research relating to the men’s stories and photographs has ensured the carvings are as authentic as possible.

These marvellous sculptures line the Parkland at Legerwood.

Eddie Freeman is the guy who created the ever lasting memories of our courage’s soldiers.

Private Alan Robert Andrews – died age 19, is depicted with his dog, hat in hand, seemingly waving goodbye to his loved ones.

Private Thomas Edward Edwards – stands with his wife in their final embrace before he set off to war.  Surrounding them are the harrowing scenes of the battle mixed with the joy of family welcoming home returned servicemen.  Further around the tree a little boy waves farewell as a smiling daughter sits on her grandfather’s shoulders, welcoming her father home.

Private William Henry Hyde – died age 27 years – shouldering his lumber, sawmill hand, William Hyde stands next to a saw blade representing an industry that was - and still is – part of the life-blood of the community.

Private Robert James Jenkins – died age 28 years and is perhaps the most poignant of the seven men.  Private Jenkins migrated to Ringarooma from England at the start of the 20^th century, it was here he met Amy (Trippy) Forsyth, and the two were engaged shortly before he went to war.  Jenkins fell at Somme in 1917 and heartbroken Trippy never married.  She kept a photo of him with his engagement ring beside her bed until she died at the age of 76.  The photo was used to carve his likeness in the tree, looking across at his fiance on an opposite limb, now that's sad.

06-04-2016  Scottsdale is larger than most towns we have been through and is surrounded by hills it is very much a timber town and supplies the many travelers passing through with a free park and showers for $3 for 4 minutes.

Morning feed time and trust me these ducks are bloody noisy, but how often do you see this.

And one by one the ducks waddle aimlessly across the road.

Des just can't escape his chooks as they wait patiently for Des to throw them a treat.  There's about 7 rosters and only one hen with three babies roaming the park, very cute, don't worry we were tempted to take them home.

These ducks and chickens were very well feed by all the travelers passing through.

OMG I can't believe it, the one thing I was so desperate to see before leaving Tassie was a platypus and here I was having a wine near the lake and she swam past.

Quack Quack