Intersecting Australian history, art and science, 'Precious' encapsulates the journey of the Lone Pine tree seeds from the site of the historic Battle of Lone Pine to Wattle Park, Victoria, Australia. The work is the outcome of a 3 year artist residency at the Box Hill Arts Centre and was inspired by the story of 25 years old Private Thomas Keith McDowell. After the Battle of Lone Pine, the solitary pine tree didn’t survive but McDowell did, and he collected a cone from the remains of the tree. When he returned to Australia, McDowell gifted the pine cone to his aunt, Ms Emma Gray who planted the seeds in plant pots. The tree was planted in Wattle Park on May 7, 1933 and is a living memorial. 'Precious' pays homage to this living ANZAC emblem, which has become synonymous with mateship, courage and sacrifice, and the lives of those that experienced the hardships of war. The work is manifested through a bronze replica of a Lone Pine/Pinus Brutia cone, and the incorporation of 2,300 Pinus Brutia needles collected at Wattle Park, each pine needle representing the fallen soldiers at the Battle of Lone Pine. 'Precious' is a uniquely Australian portrayal of the resilience of the human spirit and the renaissance of life.