Wollemi

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1. Tree looked out across the canyon that had been its home - seemingly forever. Branches rustled slightly in the breeze of early evening, and it had a deep and inexplicable feeling that life was about to change. While Tree wanted this pure, timeless place to remain hidden forever, it was also a little curious. There must be something more outside the canyon. Just where was this place? South Australia Victoria New South Wales Queensland

2. Suddenly there was a presence in the canyon. Something was moving and it didn't look like any of the animals that shared Tree's world. The presence was making its way through the stand of trees. It stopped beneath Tree and seemed frozen. Tree was equally awestruck. Who could this be? David Noble Glen Mawson Peter Campbell Joe Silvano

3. Tree watched unmoving and fascinated as the presence moved beneath it. It returned again to Tree's coppiced base and reached out to touch Tree's fallen foliage. First branches with spiralled leaves and then cones were removed. Tree watched and wondered. Why was the presence doing this? All of these He had never seen a tree like this before. He hoped to identify the tree from specimens. He wanted to identify the family the tree belonged to.

4. Tree had no idea it was soon to be so very important in the eyes of the whole world. It simply wanted the presence gone and the peace of the canyon to return. Little did Tree know it was soon to have its very own name. What was this? Wollemia Vulgaris Wollemia Spiralis Wollemia Ungulata Wollemia Nobilis

5. Tree knew it had actually been in this canyon for nearly 1000 years, and now it hoped for peace and quiet for as much time again. Unknown to Tree, so did its discoverers, who sought to protect the trees. How did they do this? They kept the location a secret. All of these They put strict bushfire strategies in place to protect the canyon. Only select researchers were allowed to visit - and then only rarely.

6. Tree watched as more visitors reached its home. More specimens were collected directly from Tree and taken away. Tree hoped they had good reason for this, as the intrusion was most unwelcome. What was this about? Visitors gathered leaves and cones for personal collections. None of these Museums wanted lots of specimens from the trees for display. A decision was made to propagate more trees outside the park.

7. Tree was worried. One of the other trees in its stand looked decidedly unwell. Its leaves were wilted and yellow and Tree was worried that the visits from the outside world had caused this. What was the problem? Damage to the tree's trunk by souvenir seekers A fungus Natural dieback A parasite

8. Tree quickly realised that its small corner of the world was very, very important. Tree was important. It seemed to have something to do with Tree's ancient relatives and the world they knew. What beings might have crossed paths with Tree's forebears? Muttaburrasaurus Hypsilophodontids Minmi All of these

9. As the strict conservation regulations took effect, Tree was able to relax a little. Home would never be the same, but life was slower again and visits fewer and less demanding of Tree's foliage and cones. Then came incredible and unexpected news through the winds and treetops. What had happened to the first of the trees propagated from Tree and its neighbours? They were sold at auction. They were given to charity. They were donated to parks around the world. The program was not a success and they died.

10. Tree had one final secret. One it had kept during its lifetime but didn't really understand. Once again there were visitors to an area near the canyon and once again the news rustled on the wind to Tree's world. What had been discovered? Ancient ruins of a Stone Age civilisation. Aboriginal rock art Dinosaur remains An ancient aquifer