A tree fire which brought the destruction of a 700-year-old ancient birthing tree of cultural significance to Traditional Owners has left a community devastated by its loss.
The large red gum tree around 30m high and 1.5m wide was torn down after it was seen on fire by a morning walker about 7:15am on Wednesday near Platypus Beach.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said local firefighters from FRV, CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria attended the scene to find the fire spreading to nearby grass and scrub.
The incident was brought under control at 8:47am.
Bpangerang elder Uncle Darren ‘Dozer’ Atkinson said the tree was of high cultural significance for the traditional owners, having stood for 700 years.
“That tree has seen many births, many lives begin and it’s sad to see something so ancient be exhausted,” he said.
An ancient birthing tree is culturally modified by traditional owners to provide a safe, hollowed-out space for women to give birth, connecting to profound cultural and spiritual significance.
Uncle Dozer said the incident was the third “attack” on a culturally significant site within the North East over the past six months, with another tree destroyed by fire in the Northern Beaches in April and the vandalism at Paradise Falls in the King Valley in May.
A culturally significant tree was also burnt down in a separate incident in the Northern Beaches in 2023.
“The mindless acts carried out on these huge trees, particular these significant ones, are stealing the opportunity for future generations to experience the beauty of these ancient old trees,” Uncle Dozer said.
Detective Senior Constable James Howarth of Wangaratta Criminal Investigation Unit said while the official cause of the fire was yet to be determined, it was believed to have been deliberate.
Det Sen Const Howarth said a second tree believed to be of cultural significance about 100m away was able to be saved after it also caught fire.
FRV Wangaratta acting commander Matt Johnson said the incident was concerning for fire officials occurring close to the beginning of what’s expected to be a busy fire season.
“There certainly was the potential for something like that to escalate into something bigger,” he said.
“It’s really unnecessary what was done to that tree.”
Mr Johnson said authorities worked extensively with partner agencies and First Nation organisations in the process of tree removal and gaining access to the difficult to reach source of the fire.
Rural City of Wangaratta Council director of sustainability and culture Stephen Swart said council was saddened by the loss of the significant tree and its loss was devastating for the community.
"As we enter the fire season, council reminds the community that lighting fires in areas such as these is not only illegal without a permit, but poses a serious risk to public safety, property, and irreplaceable cultural heritage," he said.
"Looking after our environment is a shared responsibility and we urge everyone to remain respectful of our environment and to report any suspicious activity to the police."
Det Sen Const Howarth said police continue to investigate the incident and urged any witnesses who were in and around the vicinity of the Northern Beaches in the early hours of Wednesday morning from 2-4am to contact Wangaratta police on (03) 5723 0888 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
“We will do our best to work out who is responsible,” Det Sen Const Howarth said.
There will be a community gathering with local Landcare groups at the Wangaratta Rifle Club from 11am on Sunday, 19 October to discuss the significance of large, cultural trees in the Wangaratta and North East region.
Uncle Dozer said the event was a great opportunity for the community to come together and discuss how they can best protect local environment for generations to come.
“There is an opportunity here to invite community to come together and to respect and understand the value in the huge trees we have not only in Wangaratta, but the North East,” he said.