A Jubilee “Tree” of Hope

Peter Taylor, PP of Rutherglen and Chiltern writes: Over these past months I have given reflection time to a 600-year-old redgum tree, standing ever so strongly at Wahgunyah over the Murray River from Corowa.

In my present ministry at Rutherglen (mighty wine country!) with Chiltern and Wahgunyah, this tree is drawing pilgrims as a designated site of pilgrimage across our Sandhurst Diocese. Among other sites across Sandhurst, the Wahgunyah Mass Tree, as it is referred to, tells an interesting story.

For a start, the year 1869 saw the first Mass in the area, said by Very Rev. Dean Tierney, P.P. of Beechworth Mission. On a plaque near the Mass Tree are these words “Mrs. M.M. Burrows prepared the altar in her tent at this tree for the first Mass said in Wahgunyah about 1869 by Very Rev. Dean Tierney, P.P. Beechworth”. On the tree is a white cross and, in part, these words are also on the plaque; “That cross is such a simple thing, but of it men will talk and sing, it is a signboard on the road, to cheer man with his load … such a simple thing yet it touches everything” AD 1946.

The plaque was unveiled in September 1946 by Pauline Nagle (aged 10), a great granddaughter of Margaret Mary Burrows, who, with her husband John arrived from Ireland in the 1850s and pitched their tent near the tree. It is recorded that John Burrows built a bark hut near the tree allowing Margaret to convert the tent into a chapel.

From recent times, the Mayor of Indigo Shire, Mr Bernard Gaffney, spoke of the importance of the Mass Tree … “Back in 1869 when people from around the region came to Mass, they were full of love, faith and hope. For when you feel a bit low, you come to this tree, as I’m sure it will make you stronger”. (from a pictorial book in the Sacred Heart Church, Wahgunyah).

I bring this to you as a powerful presence of the Mass Tree standing ever so strongly despite nature’s floodings and bushfires over 600 years! A Jubilee Tree still giving hope from the best of intentions from Margaret and John Burrows.

Recently, pilgrims in their groupings have come to visit Wahgunyah, taking in the Mass Tree. If you journey to this part of Victoria, come over the bridge from Corowa, turn right at The River Fish & Chips (highly recommended) and drive down to the Mass Tree.

The Mass Tree stands today as a sign of hope and strength, offering the pilgrim in this year of Jubilee an encounter with Mother Nature, in God’s time over 600 years.

Submitted by Jim O’Toole.