A fig tree recently planted at the Mansfield Botanic Park signifies the contribution by the renowned Rats of Tobruk during World War Two and provides a lasting memory for future generations.

Instrumental to this latest tribute is Mansfield’s retired Major Bruce Bingham whose father was a sergeant in the engineers and served in Tobruk in the 2/13 Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers during the siege.

Another local descendant of a Rat of Tobruk is Jamieson's Jude Ridley whose father Max Rogers served as corporal with the 18th brigade in the seventh division who was joined by her daughter Janene.

Mansfield RSL sub branch members, the mayor Cr Steve Rabie, councillors Bonnie Clark and Mandy Treasure, council staff and other interested parties gathered for the planting of a cutting obtained from a tree propagated in Melbourne from the original fig tree at Tobruk.

Major Bingham and his wife Marlene are both life members of the Rats of Tobruk Association, dedicated to the memory of the original Rats of Tobruk, but unfortunately none are alive today.

Providing the address for the ceremony the major explained the last surviving Rats decided they wanted a lasting memory of the siege, so donated money to set up a foundation at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

“This foundation finances a doctor each year to complete his or her training as a pediatric neuro surgeon in the children’s ward.

“The work of these pediatric Neuro Surgeons is recognised worldwide,” Major Bingham said.

“This foundation and the planting of the Tobruk Fig trees will ensure that the memory of the famous Rats of Tobruk will never be forgotten."

Across the Shrine of Remembrance’s 13 hectares reserve in St Kilda Rd are more than 320 trees.

These are dedicated to the memory of our Australian military units, battalions, squadrons and ships.

“They are a living reminder of the thousands who have served and were sacrificed in war, peace keeping and peacemaking,” he said.

“One tree, a ficus carica, also known as the common fig tree, is a very special tree we know as the famous Rats of Tobruk Fig Tree Memorial.

“During World War Two, the 9th Australian Division and some allied forces were at the Siege of Tobruk in North Africa, defying the might of Rommel’s Afrika Corps and the Italian Army for 242 days, the longest siege in British military history.

“Controlling North Africa gave access to the Suez Canal,” said Major Bingham.

This enabled oil from the Middle East oil fields and raw materials from Asia to be readily accessible.

Hence, Tobruk became an important strategic location.

The deep harbour and town surrounded by hills made it easy to protect.

“Just inside the Tobruk defences was a fig tree, the only feature in an otherwise barren desert landscape,” he said.

“This fig tree became known as the Fig Tree Hospital and marked the entrance to an underground network of caves used by the Australians to treat wounded soldiers prior to their removal to the 2/4th Australian General Hospital in the Tobruk township.

“Unfortunately, the fig tree was visible from many kilometers away and was shelled for several hours each day by the German artillery.”

The tree managed to survive and a cutting from this tree was brought back to Australia, propagated and planted in the Shrine of Remembrance Garden to honor the famous Rats of Tobruk.

A cutting from this tree is planted in Tobruk Gardens, opposite Tobruk House in Victoria Avenue, Albert Park.

The tree planted in the Mansfield Botanic Garden is a cutting from that tree, which was planted by the then Governor General, General Hurley in 2015.

Other cuttings have been propagated and sent to parks and schools in other states.

A Tobruk Fig Tree adorns the entrance to the Wangaratta RSL with a bronze plaque providing the background.

The original fig tree is still growing in the Tobruk desert and is believed to be 100 plus years old, said Major Bingham.

“This tree is dedicated to all the Rats of Tobruk but in particular the Rats from this district and region who formed part of the famous Australian 9th Division.

“On behalf of the Rats of Tobruk Association I would like to thank the Mansfield Shire for making this special space available to the Tobruk Fig Tree."

He also thanked the shire’s head gardener Lauren McGinty for her assistance and advice.

Cr Rabi also thanked the council crew saying it was not just about planting a tree today but for the years to come.

"It is not about celebrating war, but remembering our fallen," he said.