THE Oldsmobile Car Club of Australia to advantage of its national rally in Tasmania earlier this month to visit Legerwood's carved memorial trees.
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Members from New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia joined their Tasmanian counterparts for the rally, touring the length and breadth of the state for nine days from Friday, April 3 until Saturday, April 11, when interstate participants left on the Spirit of Tasmania.
The Tasmanian rally was organised by Launceston's Graeme Barwick and was the club's second visit to Tasmania.
After having lunch at Bridport, the drivers travelled to Legerwood for a look at the trees and afternoon tea, which was catered for by the hall committee.
Rain that had threatened to dampen proceedings stopped and the visitors were able to enjoy a relaxing stopover.
Trees were planted to honour each of the Legerwood residents who died during World War as well as one for each of the services and the Anzacs.
But time took its toll and the trees were judged too dangerous to remain standing when assessed by an arborist in 2001.
Just when it seemed the town would lose its memorial trees, the idea was floated to have them carved into memorial pieces, the shorter length of the remaining limbs allaying fears that they may fall and injure someone.
Chainsaw artist Eddie Freeman carved the first of the trees into the form that attracts thousands of visitors to Legerwood each year, in December 2004.