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Statement of Significance

The rich, fertile soil, temperate climate and the interest of many of its citizens in things botanical, has resulted in the Toowoomba region’s ability to grow a wide range of indigenous and non-indigenous plants. In 1860, the area was the first to hold an Agricultural Show in Queensland – 15 years before Brisbane. Walter Hill, the then Government Botanist and first curator of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, travelled to Toowoomba to advise with the design and planning of Queen's Park and street plantings in Toowoomba. He subsequently imported many tree species from Europe, Asia and other parts of the world to be planted there. Hill Street in Toowoomba is named in his honour. The town attracts many visitors in September for its famous Carnival of Flowers, where people come from near and far to enjoy Toowoomba’s many parks and gardens. Webb Park is a popular family park in Toowoomba and its eastern views down the range from the park are spectacular. In the park stands a monument to the local poet George Essex Evans (1863-1909). Evans was little known outside Queensland, although he was recognised in his time as the equal of his contemporaries - AB (Banjo) Paterson, Henry Lawson, Henry Kendall and Adam Lindsay Gordon. His most famous works were the poems 'The Women of the West', about the women pioneers of western Queensland, and the patriotic poem, 'An Australian Symphony'. This camphor laurel, which was possibly planted about 1910 when the school adjacent to the park was founded, is one of the best examples of its species in Toowoomba. The camphor laurel is considered the town's signature tree and many have been planted there in the parks and as street trees.
This tree is an outstanding example of its species in the area and makes a significant contribution to the parks landscape in the historic town. The tree has a contemporary association with the community as the park and its trees creates a popular recreational area for the local inhabitants. It is a well-shaped and balanced tree grown to maturity and full potential in a favourable site, showing what these signature trees can do.
The tree is located at the highest point and south-west corner, seemingly almost in the grounds of the Toowoomba Preparatory School, although it is actually in Webb Park.