For generations, the Bent Tree has been a familiar landmark in the Beaton family story.
Over the past century, family members have been photographed sitting on the tree, creating a unique record of the generations who have visited it.
The photographs below bring together some of those memories from across the years.
1926. This is the first and earliest photo that I know of. We think it is circa 1926. All children of Charles Beaton.
1936. A few years after this photograph was taken, WW II broke out. My dad Ron was off to England in the Air Force and Uncle Peter was in the Army, captured at Singapore and spent the rest of the war in Changi and later on the Burma Railway.
Madeleine McKay, daughter of Margaret Beaton, and Jim Thomas, son of Jean Thomas (nee Beaton).
Mal Beaton, Lyn Pizzey (nee Beaton) and Reg Beaton on a family trip in 1973 or thereabouts. All children of Ron Beaton.
Chris Donnelly (nee Beaton) at the tree on their Round Australia trip. Chris is the daughter of Ron Beaton.
Reg Beaton at the tree while visiting Cue.
Jill Lear is the daughter of Jean Thomas (nee Beaton). This photo was taken when Reg Beaton took them for a trip to Thundelarra and Cogla.
Leanne Gniel, daughter of Jill Lear, on the same trip as Jill above.
Chris Donnelly and Mal Beaton, both children of Ron Beaton, and Desmond Beaton, son of Alexander Beaton. Des was the last owner of Cogla Downs, still lives in Meekatharra and still owns the number plate CD-1.
The Guiver family at the tree. Claire is the daughter of Chris Donnelly (nee Beaton). This makes four generations getting photos on the tree.