The small group of people who assembled at the Grotto Garden at North Sydney for the informal ceremony. 29 August 1931 Museums of History NRS 12685.
On 29 August 1931 as part of the landscaping of the bridge approaches a remnant scrap of land in North Sydney, adjacent to the road lanes, but wedged between the converging rail and “tram” bridges was ceremonially planted with tree ferns and other trees. This may be a unique use of tree ferns for a planting ceremony. Perhaps, as the site was hemmed in and shaded by bridges and high retaining walls it was felt that such understory specie were more suitable.
The occasion is described in contemporary reports as being an informal one, though John Bradfield, the Minister for Works, the local Member of Parliament and at least one representative of the contractors, Dorman Long participated. The 20 tree ferns were donated by Edith Bradfield, but is not clear who provided other more usual species also planted on the day.
With the bridge roadway largely completed but still months from opening, the attendees reached the site by car and parked on what would later be the Bradfield Highway. Refreshments were provided at trestle tables set up on the road.
The area was named The Grotto Garden,' though this name has been lost.
Mrs Mitchell, wife of the director of works posing after planting a tree fern. 29 August 1931. Museums of History. NRS 12685.
Edith Bradfield plants one of the tree ferns which she had donated. 29 August 1931. Museums of History NRS 12685..
Refreshments were provided adjacent to the eastern "tram" approach viaduct. 29 August 1931. Museums of History NRS 12685..
Kathleen Hagarty plants her tree fern. From 1912 to 1927, as Kathleen Butler, she had been Bradfield's Confidential Secretary, but had retired when she married. Although relocated to Queensland she was in Sydney for most of 1931 during a difficult pregancy and critical post-natal period for her baby. 29 August 1931. Museums of History. NRS 12685.
Alfred Martin, chief assistant to Lawrence Ennis, Director of Construction for Dorman Long looks on as Mrs Martin plants a tree fern, 29 August 1931. Museums of History NRS 12685.
Bradfield, standing on a bench, address the ceremony. 29 August 1931. Museums of History NRS 12685.
Mr Vowell, Director of the Public Works Department plants a fern. 29 August 1931. Museums of History NRS 12685.
Mr Davidson, Minister for Works, Bradfield and Mrs Howe, wife of the local member of state parliament. 29 August 1931. Museums of History NRS 12685.
Bradfield and some of his Public Works Department engineers who built the approaches and supervised the Dorman Long contract. Left to right - Bradfield, Roper, Hawkey, Lush and Shepherd. 29 August 1931. Museums of History NRS 12685.
Three months after the ceremony the tree ferns have flourished. 5 November 1931. Museums of History NRS 12685.
A contemporary report of the event may be viewed at.
Sydney Morning Herald 31 August 1931
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