By Coker descendant Warren Nunn
A tamarind tree planted 100 years ago brought together about 100 descendants of eight siblings of the Coker family at Kabra on Saturday 23 June 2018.
When the youngest of Harry and Emma Coker’s children, Cyril, was born in 1918, his sister Edna planted and watched over the tree that still stands on the property where generations of the family lived until about 20 years ago.
Organiser Winston Sleaford, of Townsville, whose mother planted the tree, said it was marvellous that so many Coker descendants made their way from various parts of Queensland and inter-state for the gathering. Mr Sleaford unveiled a plaque that reads, “Planted 1918 by Edna Coker”. The number 100 was fashioned from a chain that once was attached to the tree.
When Edna May Coker married John Alfred Sleaford in 1931 she remained in the Cecil Street home with her widowed mother and raised her six children there. The property is named Yamande (Edna May spelt backwards) as a lasting memorial to the young girl who planted a tree that still draws family members back to visit.
The home was built by Harry Coker about 1905 when the family first moved to Kabra from Mt Morgan.
The eight Coker siblings were Fred (1900-1981), Alex (1901-1987), Lawrie (1902-1984), Daphne (1905-1996), Archie (1907-1980), Edna (1908-2000), Roy (1913-2004), and Cyril (1918-2004). All families were represented at the gathering.
Great write up warren.
Well done Warren. A great article that says it all. Very happy for you to publish it. Regards Winston