Montrose in Yarra Ranges Shire, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Storm Leaves

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 18, 2026

1. Storm Leaves Marker

Inscription. Anton McMurray, Storm Leaves, series (1 of 5), 2023. Cypress pine, Cutek oil.

"Trees are the reason I choose to live in the Dandenong Ranges, from the tall mountain ash forests to the many gardens featuring exotic trees from around the world. Trees are the dominant and much-loved residents of the Hills. On the 9th of June 2021 a violent storm ravaged these hills, uprooting an estimated 25,000 trees, flinging them crudely across homes, roadways, powerlines, schools and parklands. In an act of transformation and healing, I collected logs from this carnage and began sculpting leaves as both a symbol of renewal and a homage to the mighty lifeforce of trees."
Anton McMurray

This is one of five leaf sculptures installed at the trail entrances to ngurrak barring. Hand carved in cypress macrocarpa using chainsaws, chisels and tons of sandpaper these artworks are created to showcase and pay tribute to the leaves of our magnificent gum trees. Feel free to run your hands over the surface, note the textures and enabling our existence on this beautiful plant we call earth.

Anton McMurray grew up in the Dandenong Ranges where

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he spent much of his childhood exploring the natural sanctuary of the Sherbrooke Forest These early experiences seeded his interest in all trees and highlighted their pivotal place in our world. In 1998 McMurray completed his bachelor's degree in fine art majoring in sculpture at the Victorian College of the Arts, and in 2005 he represented Australia at Japan's esteemed Inami Wood Sculpture international. His passion for working with wood has also taken him to Papua New Guinea, North America, Canada and Europe. McMurray has attracted both public and private commissions, and has won numerous awards for his inspiring artworks.

Picture Captions)
Left: Anton McMurray measuring Photo Nina Burstal.
Right: Anton McMurray carving with chainsaw Photo Nina Bursall

Erected 2023.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 2021.

Location. 37° 48.636′ S, 145° 20.649′ E. Marker is in Montrose, Victoria, in Yarra Ranges Shire. It is at the intersection of Mount Dandenong Tourist Road (Victoria Route C415)

Storm Leaves Marker at the entrance to Montrose Town Centre Reserve image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 18, 2026

2. Storm Leaves Marker at the entrance to Montrose Town Centre Reserve

and Devenish Avenue ( Route C401) on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 935 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose VIC 3765, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in 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 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Robert Riddett's Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Australian Nurses Memorial / Local Nurses that served in War (within shouting distance of this marker); Sister Edith Wilson Yeaman (within shouting distance of this marker); Montrose Bricks in Demand (within shouting distance of this marker); Montrose War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Charles Morris (1856-1935) (within shouting distance of this marker); The People's Garden (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The First Train (approx. 4.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map

Storm Leaves Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 18, 2026

3. Storm Leaves Sculpture

of all markers in Montrose.

Also see . . . Residents still reeling a year after worst storm on record. Nine.com.au

On the night of June 9, 2021, families hunkered down in their living rooms as ferocious winds roared and the crash of trees breaking and falling thundered around them.

Even houses that weren't hit by the humongous gumtrees falling shook with the impact.

Power was cut to more than 6500 homes, while phone and internet services also went down across the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding towns.

(Submitted on July 22, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.