A little touch of magic is coming to Guildford in October as the town celebrates its first-ever Sugar Gum Day.
The event is being held to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1999 campaign to save Guildford’s iconic trees, which were threatened with destruction after they were deemed unsafe.
The trees were spared the axe after the community turned out in protest, setting up a camp under the gums, with some people even camping out in the trees themselves.
The then Swan Shire Council eventually agreed to keep the trees after advice from experts, and began a programme of maintenance and replanting.
It was just one of several occasions that the trees had come under threat over the years since many of them were planted back in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee.
Twenty-five years later, Sugar Gum Day is being organised by the Guildford Association with funding by the City of Swan.
Featuring other local community groups, it will include tree-related events and activities, including art and craft workshops, a smoking ceremony, live entertainment, storytelling and games for children, and historical displays.
The event will take place in the town’s picturesque Stirling Square on 12 October, and is free to all.
“The sugar gums are an essential part of Guildford’s history and identity,” Guildford Association president Claire Scanlan said.
“It’s unthinkable now that they could ever be destroyed, but back in 1999 we were very close to losing them and we think it’s important to remind everyone how precious they are.
“We want to celebrate those original campaigners and acknowledge the City of Swan’s agreement to the community to preserve the iconic trees, reflected in the commemorative bench which can be seen today in Stirling Square.”
The Guildford street trees are unique in Western Australia, having been planted in rows along several streets throughout the whole town, which was itself placed on the State Heritage Register in 2019.
“Pretty much wherever you are in Guildford, you’re within sight of a beautiful sugar gum,” Claire said. “Guildford just wouldn’t be Guildford without them.”
“Preserving and protecting them has always been a community effort, so we think an event that brings the whole community together is a great way to celebrate and appreciate them.
“We would love to see as many people as possible coming to Guildford for a picnic, some great entertainment and plenty of fun activities.”
The event will take place from 2pm-7pm on Sunday October 12, culminating with the switching on of lights to illuminate the trees.
