Level of Significance
- File
- Local
- Regional
- State
- National
Age (approx)
150yrsTrees
16Diameter
0.9mHeight - 22m
Details
- Outstanding size (Scientific)
- Landscape (Social)
- Landmark (Social)
- Park/Garden/Town (Historic)
- Person/Group/Institution (Historic)
- Attractive (Aesthetic)
Statement of Significance
The rich, fertile soil, temperate climate and the interest of many of its citizens in things botanical has resulted in 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. Freneau Pines Park was named after Florence Freneau, who was Mother Superior of Our lady of Our Sacred Heart Boy’s school that was established in the area about 1947 after being relocated from Eagle Farm in Brisbane. A former student recalls that on one section of the property there were two rows of very large Norfolk Island Pine trees forming a driveway to a deserted house. In a visit, some years ago, he recalled that some of the pine trees remained and that a water tower stood somewhere near where the house had stood. In the area close to the house there was a very large Macadamia tree and a Bunya Nut Pine Tree. It is believed that the house was called ‘Raceview’ which up until 1880 belonged to Mr George Robinson, third mayor of Toowoomba. The trees were planted by Robinson and his German gardener, Kube.
These pines are outstanding for their size and positioned on one of the highest points in Toowoomba. They are an important landmark and make a significant contribution to the heritage city's and the park's landscape. They have a contemporary association with the community to which the many parks are important. They are associated with Thomas George Robinson, third mayor of Toowoomba. It is a handsome avenue of trees. The avenue is on the southern side and at right angles to Hursley Road, opposite the entrance to Clifford Park Racecourse.
Notes
A former student at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic boys’ primary school on the site remembers that in 1955 the avenue was tall trees leading to an old deserted house at their southern end.