Growing up on a dairy farm near Berry, David Radford has always been fascinated by cabbage tree palms.
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Now a resident in Kiama, David will be guest speaker at the next Gerringong and District Historical Society meeting, to be held at 1pm on Saturday, October 27 in the Gerringong RSL Memorial Hall.
Colonial history abounds with references to the cabbage tree palm, and it frequently appears in colonial art.
David’s illustrated presentation will cover the cabbage tree palm’s place in the history of the Illawarra district where it once grew in profusion.
There were numerous uses for parts of the tree, including the manufacture of the famed cabbage tree hat which has become part of Australian folklore.
The cabbage tree palm was also significant to aborigines and there are several local aboriginal stories concerning it.
The talk will also give information regarding the palms natural distribution, botany, growth rates and cultivation.
David says the distinctive appearance and beauty of the cabbage tree palm and its place in our local landscape has made it “an Illawarra icon”.
Visitors are most welcome, with a gold coin donation entry. Afternoon tea will follow, and then a general meeting of the Society.