Middleton Community Association

The Whale in the Tree is a 40-minute documentary that follows the extraordinary journey of an ancient fallen red gum tree from rural South Australia to its transformation into a monumental public artwork on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The story begins in Middleton, where residents voted to bring more joy to their community through art. When a fallen red gum tree was discovered on a property near Naracoorte, Middleton resident Jen Watts recognised the unmistakable form of a whale within the timber. Sculptor Silvio Apponyi was invited to assess whether that vision could be realised — and confirmed it could. What followed was a remarkable community effort involving cranes, chainsaws, grants, fundraising and ceremony. Over many months, the tree was carefully prepared, transported, and carved into Buttons and Bobby — a Southern Right Whale mother and calf — now resting near the waters where these magnificent creatures return each winter to give birth and nurture their young. This film is a story of imagination, collaboration, Country and care — and of seeing possibility where others see only what has fallen.

The Whale in the Tree is a 40-minute documentary that follows the extraordinary journey of an ancient fallen red gum tree from rural South Australia to its transformation into a monumental public artwork on the Fleurieu Peninsula. This showing is at Victa Cinemas. The story begins in Middleton, where residents voted to bring more joy to their community through art. When a fallen red gum tree was discovered on a property near Naracoorte, Middleton resident Jen Watts recognised the unmistakable form of a whale within the timber. Sculptor Silvio Apponyi was invited to assess whether that vision could be realised — and confirmed it could. What followed was a remarkable community effort involving cranes, chainsaws, grants, fundraising and ceremony. Over many months, the tree was carefully prepared, transported, and carved into Buttons and Bobby — a Southern Right Whale mother and calf — now resting near the waters where these magnificent creatures return each winter to give birth and nurture their young. This film is a story of imagination, collaboration, Country and care — and of seeing possibility where others see only what has fallen.