General News
10 April, 2026
Clarity on ‘energy towers’
Earlier this year, The Express newspaper featured a story about a mysterious obelisk-shaped structure in the area, after seeing a lively debate online about its purpose. Was it a survey marker or a “power tower”? We discovered they were all over the Tablelands, from Biboohra, Mareeba and Walkamin, to Atherton, Malanda, Herberton, Ravenshoe, Tarzali, Tully, and even just “in the bush”. Two women have now come forward with even more information to help us understand the towers.
CHERYL Matthews, wife of the late Bob Matthews – who was credited by many for building towers in the area – responded to our article in January to “clarify what the so-called ‘elusive obelisks’ actually are”.
“My late husband, Bob Matthews, began his work on the development and construction of what became known as energy towers in 2009,” she said.
“While some may have viewed this as a new concept, the energy towers are in fact based on principles long understood by many ancient civilisations.
“These cultures constructed monoliths, obelisks, standing stones, and stone needles to harness the Earth’s magnetic grid in order to enhance the health and vitality of plants and animals. This, in turn, supported increased crop production and improved soil fertility.
“Bob undertook extensive research into the Earth’s magnetic grid, paramagnetics, and sacred geometry. By combining these three elements, he developed the energy towers.
“They were built using precise measurements, incorporating concrete and pink granite, with a quartz crystal placed within each tower.”
Mrs Matthews continued that before construction, her husband would locate “intersecting grid lines” and then build the towers on that site.
The three-dimensional-shaped copper tops seen on some of these objects were built with precision and provided different benefits depending on shape.
“The tower tops were developed at a later stage and consist of three-dimensional geometric shapes made from copper,” she said.
“Once again, absolute precision was used in their design. These vibrational tops, based on sacred geometry, provided different benefits depending on their shape.
“Many energy towers were installed on commercial orchards and farms across the Tablelands, with very positive feedback reported, including increased crop productivity and improvements in soil, vegetation, and water health.
“There were also numerous towers erected on residential properties across the Tablelands, and equally positive feedback was received from people who had them built.
“It is important to note that Bob did not build the energy towers from a religious, pagan, or demonic perspective. His intention was simply to enhance and support the Earth’s natural energy systems,” Mrs Matthews said.
“Unfortunately, there is currently no one continuing the construction of energy towers. However, anyone seeking further information is welcome to contact me at energytowers53@hotmail.com.”
In a second response, Alanna Moore said she had introduced the concept to the Tablelands and FNQ when she had travelled up from NSW and taught people how to make them and why they were worthwhile.
“It was sometime late last century when I was teaching at Bob Matthews’ place, and since then in other Tablelands locations, such as Kuranda.
“I’ve taught thousands of people and erected hundreds of power towers across Australia, until I moved to Ireland over 10 years ago. The towers were inspired by 1000-year-old Irish round towers.
“I learned about them from Phil Callahan PhD, an American professor who is an expert on insect antennae, etc. When he visited Australia in 1993, Callahan explained to us about these ‘paramagnetic antennae’ that act as waveguides for magnetic monopoles emitted by the sun, which results in a more highly magnetised atmosphere around them.
“Magnetism is a well-known biological stimulant – no need for crystals. If you place the towers in certain locations, in a sensitive manner, you can get spectacular results, I discovered.
“This suited me, as I work professionally as a geomancer, who tunes into the energy of places to inform occupants or would-be occupants if any detrimental influences, such as geopathic stress, may be present.
“I was so enthused by the power tower results that I wrote a book on the subject in 2001: Stone Age Farming – Tapping Into Nature’s Energies in the Farm and Garden. There’s been two more updated editions of it since, the third edition in 2025 with a new section on electro culture. It’s available from all bookshops plus online.”
