Monkeytop
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Location
The crescent shaped Monkeytop Ridge is the headwaters of the Rodger River. Located at the highest point, just up the hill from Big Tree Camp, is the tree village of the same name. It is one of a small number of habitations in the north-eastern rainforest wilderness of the Rodger River province in Errinundera. Some others are Waratah Flat, Lyrebird, Halfbark, Bowen, Home, Warbisco, Bull Run, Minchin and New Country.
Origins of the Name
In typical Errinundera contrarian fashion, there are no monkeys in Monkeytop. There are no monkeys anywhere in the nation. One can only guess that it is derived from an erroneous name given to possums by early settlers. A stylised possum appears on the flag.
Sacred Trees
One sacred tree isn't enough for Monkeytop. It has two: ELEGATEN and ALASH.
Craft
The village of Monkeytop is overshadowed by the larger towns of Big Tree Camp and the regional administratrive centre, Waratah Flat. Nevertheless it is a vibrant community most notable for its many craft guilds. The leading figures of the Monkeytop Movement, an important style of symbolist landscape painting that flourished in the late 19th century, were based here. A simpler, more abstract style, eschewing landscape themes, evolved over the following century. The image on the flag is an example of this abstract symbolist style, known as the Second Monkeytop School. The Monkeytop craft and produce market is one of the most popular of its type in Errinundera and draws large crowds each month.
Football
The Monkeytop United Football Club represents all the tree villages of the Monkeytop Ridge. It's home ground, the Amphitheatre and club headquarters are located in Big Tree Camp, another example of Errinundrian contrariness. Because all the towns of the ridge have blue as part of their civic colours, the club uses two shades of blue in its uniform, hence the nickname, Two Blues. In recent years it has been a very powerful team in the Errinundera Football Association, winning the premier League championship twice.
