14 September 2009

Thieves strike Stanhope Memorial Arboretum

| johnboy
Join the conversation
18

The Canberra Times brings word that Stanhope’s Folly, aka the Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens has had a spot of bother with thieves making off with 140 saplings.

In an interesting insight into the administration of the arboretum it was only discovered when Comrade Stanhope himself was out taking an apparently regular constitutional and noticed the missing beech and pear trees.

$6,700 isn’t a lot of money for the risks involved, but if you’re offered a cheap tree in the next few days at least you’ll know it has top notch provenance.

Join the conversation

18
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Mr Evil said :

Stanhope probably spends time talking to the trees at the Jon Stanhope Bigger than Jesus Memorial Arborectum.God knows he doesn’t talk to the people of the ACT.

And I thought I was disillusioned about things.

Hells_Bells74 said :

I just heard that 1200 trees were stolen?

Coming from the father of a contractor out there.

Probably stolen by a contractor; to be sold back to the ACT Govt next week! 🙂

Stanhope probably spends time talking to the trees at the Jon Stanhope Bigger than Jesus Memorial Arborectum.

God knows he doesn’t talk to the people of the ACT.

Hells_Bells747:30 pm 14 Sep 09

I just heard that 1200 trees were stolen?

Coming from the father of a contractor out there.

Bloody bunch of thieving bastards. Why don’t you get a job and buy the saplings with your own money instead? Losers.
I personally love the idea of a tree museum and can’t wait till we are allowed to have a look around.

Pommy bastard5:59 pm 14 Sep 09

I’m going to be offering home made Devonshire pear cider next year. If you’d like a sample, sign up for a few bottles here; iknickedstanstrees@cider.com

peterh said :

what makes me wonder is why they went after the pear and beech trees? why not some of the exotics? or would that stand out like the proverbial in a suburban backyard?

A pear tree isn’t an exotic?

Trunking symbols5:16 pm 14 Sep 09

redbananas said :

Joni Mitchell foresaw such an occasion –

They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum
Then they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see them.

. . . and those of us who remember the bush and pinies on the site pre-arboretum can reflect on the following lyrics:

Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

Joni Mitchell foresaw such an occasion

That raises an interesting question. Will there be big enough parking lot at the Arboretum?

Joni Mitchell foresaw such an occasion –

They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum
Then they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see them.

Stanhope moved out of Kaleen some time ago.

“I had recently reflected on what a pretty picture (the beeches) made and the cathedral-like effect they would have after I’m gone. But that cathedral effect will no longer be possible”. (Stanhope – from the CT report).

That is a seriously swollen head speaking.

What, they are going to leave a lawn where the stolen trees were going to be? Or did the thieves salt the earth too?

R. Slicker said :

The only thing remarkable about this incident is that it didn’t happen a lot earlier. BTW why does Stanhope take his regular constitutionals at the arboretum when he lives in Kaleen?

That explains why he is no longer seen drinking coffee on Saturday mornings at Belconnen Mall.

“I had recently reflected on what a pretty picture (the beeches) made and the cathedral-like effect they would have after I’m gone. But that cathedral effect will no longer be possible”. (Stanhope – from the CT report).

That is a seriously swollen head speaking.

what makes me wonder is why they went after the pear and beech trees? why not some of the exotics? or would that stand out like the proverbial in a suburban backyard?

I heard a mention of this on 666 this morning, apparently the tree farm isn’t open to the public yet, so Stanhopeless must need serious privacy during his “constitutionals”.

It was suggested that the young trees would be sold interstate as they’d be too easily recognised if the thieves tried selling them here.

Holden Caulfield12:08 pm 14 Sep 09

Well, the bastards can’t steal the saplings from our block any more! 🙁

Canberra has a long history of ‘botanical inventory leakage’ from public spaces.
http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/act/content/2006/s2651146.htm

The only thing remarkable about this incident is that it didn’t happen a lot earlier. BTW why does Stanhope take his regular constitutionals at the arboretum when he lives in Kaleen?

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.