This grove of 15 oak trees was planted on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee on 22 June 1897.
On the morning of that day, more than 4000 schoolchildren paraded through Dunedin, and a 60-gun salute was fired at Ocean Beach. A few hours later, a large procession comprising military and naval units, fire brigades, and friendly societies marched through the city, accompanied by marching bands. They were cheered on by about 20,000 spectators, the largest crowd yet seen in the city, and perhaps in the entire country.
They set off from the Triangle (now Queen’s Gardens), passed through the Octagon and on up Serpentine Avenue to Jubilee Park. There, the acting premier and the mayor, among other dignitaries, made loyal speeches.
The ‘Victoria Grove’ of fifteen oak trees was planted, and the hope expressed that once they had matured, the Druids could revive some of their ancient rites there.
For yes, in the procession were 65 Druids in “heavy regalia” and 26 in “ordinary regalia” according to the local paper The Evening Star. Druids also joined a Mosgiel procession where they were described as “wearing long beards and flowing robes”.
There was no information on what these ancient rites might be, or if Dunedin Druids ever performed them in this grove, (or whatever happened to Dunedin's Druids). However, according to the internet, Druids believe that the Oak tree is host to the strength and energy, and that catching a falling oak leaf brings good luck and prosperity.
You can see the memorial cairn to the event which contains the wonderful poetic exhortation to Dunedin’s children to protect the grove through the years.
To find the cache: 45 52.ABC 170.29.XYZ
A = Number of letters in the type of Jubilee the grove marks
B = Number of sides on the cairn +1
C = First number in the date the cairn was restored
X = Number of black plaques on the cairn
Y = Number of community organisations that gave assistance to the Dunedin Amenities Society +2
Z = Number of letters in the variety of tree planted here
Note: Jubilee Park itself was named such ten years earlier on the occasion of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 1987, marking 50 years on the throne.