A gnarled old redgum stands by the creek. It has witnessed many changes since it first sprouted among the ancient basalt stones more than three centuries ago. This book is an artist's impression of the stories it could tell; of the Wurundjeri people who followed the rhythm of the seasons to the arrival of strangers who settled and made their new home among the gumtrees. It tells of change that came as both the tree and the city continued to grow, and the grasslands disappeared. It is a story of human impact on the land, but ends on a note of hope for the future as people become aware of the tree, standing as a silent sentinel on the land which is our legacy. Beautifully illustrated with paintings of the tree as it grows, the changing landscape and some of the local plants and animals, this book will appeal to all ages.