Susie Brown of Woonona, and Keiraville resident Margaret Warner’s first foray into mainstream picture books, Lone Pine, was released recently to coincide with Anzac Day.

The pair became friends while teaching in adjoining classrooms at Mount Ousley Public School during the 1990s.

Mrs Warner has since retired from teaching to focus on writing.

Both have had a number of works published within the educational market but have spent the past several years researching the book, which was illustrated by Sebastian Ciaffaglione.

The Battle of Lone Pine was fought between Turkish and Australian soldiers from August 6-9, 1915, on a section of the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Thousands of soldiers were killed and seven Victoria Crosses were later awarded to Australian soldiers.

Benjamin Smith, a member of the 3rd Battalion was involved in both the landing at Gallipoli and the Battle of Lone Pine.

After the battle, he sent a pine cone he found on the battlefield home to his mother.

She eventually planted seeds from the pine cone at her home; the two trees were later planted in Inverell and in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial.

Many new trees have been grown from seeds collected from pine cones at Canberra and Inverell, being planted in memorial gardens and school grounds throughout Australia.

In 1990, a group of Anzac veterans returned to the Gallipoli peninsula with two of these trees, which were planted during a special ceremony.

Mrs Warner also has a descendant lone pine at her home. “We had read stories about the lone pine tree in War Memorial material,” she said.

“The battle is well-known, but the story of the trees perhaps wasn’t. The story behind the story has been lost.”

Mrs Warner said the story featured many intriguing elements, such as the soldier’s mother waiting for 13 years before planting the seeds.

She also made contact with Benjamin Smith’s son Allan, who she said knew little about the tree but took a great interest in the book. Unfortunately he died a few months before it was published.

“The trees grown from those seeds are continuing the tradition,” Mrs Warner said.

“The Battle of Lone Pine is very significant in the history of the Anzacs and the trees grown will maintain that link to the Anzac spirit. We’re very proud that this is a significant part of Australian history that will now be preserved.”

Mrs Brown said it had been quite a journey since the pair began work on the book in 2005.

“The most rewarding thing is finally seeing the story told,” she said. “It’s an Anzac story that hasn’t been told in the wider community; it was such a lovely story we were surprised it hasn’t been.”

Mrs Brown said it would help younger generations embrace this part of Australian history.

“The tree is a symbol,” she said. “In the same way the story continues, the tree continues as a wonderful memorial.”