The Mouat Tree Prospectus

To mark the centenary in completing the border survey for the Federal Capital Territory and to commemorate the achievements of the pioneering surveyors an ambitious project to preserve this remarkable story for future generations has begun. And you’re invited to participate by leaving your own mark on the next chapter...

Introducing The Mouat Tree Project.

Q SHAPING THE TERRITORY’S BORDER History tells us that without the Cotter River catchment, Canberra would not be positioned on the limestone plains.

The role water played was decisive in not only determining the site for the Federal Capital Territory as it was known, but also in shaping the territorial border for the national capital.

In 1910, barely two years after the Yass-Canberra area was named as the preferred site for the nation’s capital, the border survey began under the visionary supervision of Charles Robert Scrivener. Driven by an underlying philosophy of encapsulating ‘water catchments’ within the boundaries – given clean water would ultimately nurture a future city, planning for the ambitious five-year survey commenced.

q OUT ON THE LINE

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In 1910 from the starting point on the summit of Mt Coree, Commonwealth surveyor Percy Sheaffe commenced the survey of the catchment-inspired Federal border and proceeded north-east, clockwise around the new Territory. Three years later, Harry Mouat joined the survey from Coree and headed south into the wilds of the rugged mountain country of the Upper Cotter.

At points along the snow-capped ridgetop where the border would change its bearings, Mouat and his small team would painstakingly hand-chisel engravings (referred to as a ‘blaze’) into a nearby tree to provide a point of reference as to the precise location of the border.

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A somewhat reserved and resolute character, Harry ‘Happy’ Mouat who it is said rarely smiled, worked diligently on the border enduring atrocious weather and challenging terrain completing the task in May 1915. At completion he rendezvoused at a spot between Sentry Box Mountain and Wrights Hill with Freddie Johnston who had replaced Sheaffe out on the 4 line when Percy took over from the retiring Scrivener. Mouat would leave surveyor marks on numerous border reference trees, timber posts, make iron and concrete installations, lay rock ‘lockspits’ – these relics and marks now provide a direct link with the very birth of our nation’s capital.

HISTORIC IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS 1. Sketch Map of the Federal Territory, 1920. Original location of the rescued border reference tree indicated by circle to the south. nla.cdc-10384348 2. Portrait of Federal Capital site surveyors, four seated and two standing, Camp Hill, Canberra, 1910. nla.pic-vn4599805 3. Surveyor’s camp featuring Harry Mouat (left), with wife Iris (front) and Freddie Johnston (next to Mouat). Image courtesy of Althea De Salis 4. Commonwealth surveyor Harry (Happy) Mouat. Image courtesy of Althea De Salis 5. Surveyors Camp, Federal Capital, April 1910. Image courtesy of SSSI

q BORDER REFERENCE TREES With the arduous task of surveying the border completed in 1915, it’s estimated over 1,500 border reference trees were ‘blazed’ by these hardy surveyors. With the ravages of time most of these historic trees have been lost.

Today it is estimated that less than 60, or around 4% of the original border reference trees remain. Some have simply decayed with time, some have been blown over with many lost in the devastating 2003 bushfire inferno.

Border Reference Tree H87 (now known as ‘The Mouat Tree’) in-situ in the Boboyan Divide prior to removal and air-lift to the Namadgi National Park Visitor Information Centre, Tharwa ACT.

Of those surviving a century later many are in poor condition with illegible engravings. In a decade from now few if any of the surviving border reference trees will exist. Time has and will continue to take its toll.

q A CENTURY ON To mark the centenary of completing the border survey and to commemorate those pioneering surveyors, an ambitious project to preserve the border story for future generations has begun.

From deep in the southern ranges of Namadgi National Park (refer to the Sketch Map of the Federal Territory above), the trunk of one of the surviving border marker reference trees has now been salvaged – air-lifted out by helicopter complete with its distinctive ‘blaze’. This historic symbol, now known as ‘The Mouat Tree’, has been relocated to the grounds of the Namadgi National Park Visitor Information Centre, Tharwa.

Under the stewardship and guidance of Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG), this relic is now receiving conservation treatment, preserving its intrinsic heritage values as the basis of an exciting interpretive structure.

The Mouat Tree arrives via Jet Ranger helicopter to safe hands at the Namadgi National Park Visitor Information Centre (VIC).

The Mouat Tree en route from deep in the southern ranges of Namadgi National Park. The air-lift via Jet Ranger helicopter relocated the trunk to the Namadgi National Park Visitor Information Centre (VIC).

q AN INTERPRETIVE STRUCTURE IS BEING PLANNED TO HOUSE THE RESCUED TREE... TO FEATURE HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS, MEMORABILIA AND INFORMATIVE SIGNAGE CAPTURING THE PIONEERING ESSENCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY.

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q THE VISION The aim of the interpretive structure is to present The Mouat Tree as a centrepiece from which the story of surveying the territorial border can be shared. A commanding symbolic structure is in the planning to house the rescued tree. Designed by award winning Architect Philip Leeson, the proposed interpretive structure will be complemented by a wealth of historical photographs, memorabilia and interpretive signage capturing the pioneering spirit of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

q FOR THE FUTURE To complete the visitor experience, a traditional ground-level rock survey mark, or ‘lockspit’, will be situated in such a way to mirror the relationship of a reference tree to the position of the border.

Nestled under the gaze of Mt Tennent in the grounds of the Namadgi National Park Visitor Information Centre, The Mouat Tree interpretative shelter will take pride of place, complementing the nearby award-winning Gudgenby-in-a-box pastoral display.

q MAKE YOUR MARK Through the ACT region of the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI) and in partnership with the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG), Office of the Surveyor-General, ACT Heritage and ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS), a project steering group has been convened to realise the vision.

The Mouat Tree Project invites you to participate in this important conservation and interpretation project. You can be part of preserving this unique chapter in the story of nation building by making a financial contribution to help realise the vision.

Architect sketch rendering by Philip Leeson of the proposed Interpretive Structure planned to house ‘The Mouat Tree’ at the Namadgi National Park Visitor Information Centre (VIC).

Please visit the project’s web site at www.themouattree.org.au for more information.

You will also find a link to our Gofundme fundraising page where you’re invited to make a secure financial contribution. Make your mark to aid in the realisation of this exciting cultural landmark. The Mouat Tree - shaping the nature of the Territory.