East Melbourne in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

The Fairies Tree

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, May 11, 2026

1. The Fairies Tree Marker

Inscription.
The Fairies' Tree
Carved by Ola Cohn M.B.E. A.R.C.A.
From 1931-34
"A Gift to the Children of Melbourne"

Foreword from her book "The Fairies' Tree"

"I have carved a tree in the Fitzroy Gardens for You and the Fairies, but mostly for the Fairies, and those who believe in them, for they will understand how necessary it is to have a Fairy Sanctuary - a place that is sacred and safe as a home should be to all living creatures.

Therefore I dedicate this book to Children and Fairies, as it is to them I owe my inspiration"

Ola Cohn.

Melbourne
23rd May, 1932

Erected 1932.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1932.

Location. 37° 48.802′ S, 144° 58.865′ E. Marker is in East Melbourne, Victoria, in Melbourne. It can be reached from Wellington Parade (Victoria Route 30) 0.2 kilometers west of Hotham Street and Clarendon Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in

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Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Model Tudor Village (a few steps from this marker); Fitzroy Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); Sinclair's Cottage (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Scarred Tree (about 180 meters away); A Great Australian Tree (about 210 meters away); Captain Cook's Pine (about 210 meters away); Fitzroy Gardens Welcome (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Taken not Given (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Melbourne.

Also see . . . City Collection - Fairies Tree.

Location: Fitzroy Gardens Series of carvings on stump of one of the original red gum trees in Fitzroy Gardens - depicting fairies, dwarfs, gnomes, jackass and a variety of Australian animals and birds. Born in Bendigo in 1892, Ola Cohn excelled in art from an early age. She studied at Melbourne’s Swinburne Technical
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, May 11, 2026

2. The Fairies Tree
Marker is at the base
College before winning a scholarship to study under acclaimed sculptor Henry Moore at London’s Royal College of Art. Cohn exhibited widely in Britain and Europe before returning to Australia, where she established a studio in Collins Street in 1931. Cohn’s talent and skills were recognised with an OBE, which was awarded to her in 1965 for 'services rendered in the service of art, especially sculpture’. In undertaking the Fairies Tree, Cohn was inspired by Ivor Innes’ Elfin Oak, located in Kensington Gardens, London. Commencing work on the Fairies Tree in 1931, Cohn spent three years carving the ancient Red Gum. She suffered the discomfort of weather extremes, stings by mosquitos and bees – which had made the old tree stump their home – and repeated acts of vandalism on the work. Cohn worked in a fittingly organic fashion, using the trunk’s natural irregularities to inspire her myriad carvings of Australian and European fairies, dwarfs, gnomes, imps, goblins, elves and animals. Upon completion in May 1934, the tree was gifted to the city’s children. Cohn says she carved the tree ‘mostly for fairies and for those who believe in them’.
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In 1977, the trunk was extracted from the ground for chemical treatment and for the removal of rotten wood. Following treatment, it was mounted on a concrete base in an effort to preserve the work. It continues to get regular conservation treatment.

(Submitted on May 26, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 26, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.