25th March, 2025.
The saying "While I live, I'll grow," has long resonated with Wollondilly locals and others. A sign with that phrase on it is positioned on a magnificent fig tree, located in Razorback, which warmly marks the entrance to Wollondilly. That tree was planted 25 years ago to replace the original fig tree planted by the Hordern family, whose department store stood on George, Liverpool, Goulburn and Pitt streets in Sydney. Their business was established in 1825, and its symbol was an oak tree. The family's oaks from 1844 were removed in 1901. A fig tree, which had been planted there in the 1880s, remained. It began to resemble an oak as grazing cattle shaped it. The famous sign was built in 1952. The tree unfortunately succumbed to disease, pests and lightning, and it had disappeared along with the Hordern's department store by the 1970s. On 18 March 2000, a new fig tree was planted on council land. It was presided over by the mayor; the Deputy Premier at the time, Andrew Refshauge, who was a Hordern descendant; and Cliff Foley from Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council. I thank Razorback Landcare Group, which lovingly maintains it for the future.