diff --git a/contrib/include/wx/xrc/xmlres.h b/contrib/include/wx/xrc/xmlres.h
index f52356bd72..e47520f5a9 100644
--- a/contrib/include/wx/xrc/xmlres.h
+++ b/contrib/include/wx/xrc/xmlres.h
@@ -115,6 +115,10 @@ public:
     // Destructor.
     ~wxXmlResource();
 
+    // Gives access to the first root node for
+    // direct manipulation or querying
+    wxXmlNode  *GetFirstRoot();
+    
     // Loads resources from XML files that match given filemask.
     // This method understands VFS (see filesys.h).
     bool Load(const wxString& filemask);
diff --git a/contrib/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp b/contrib/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
index d3aaf6232f..98cb77e1f5 100644
--- a/contrib/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
+++ b/contrib/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
@@ -146,6 +146,16 @@ void wxXmlResource::ClearHandlers()
 }
 
 
+wxXmlNode  *wxXmlResource::GetFirstRoot()
+{
+    UpdateResources(); //ensure everything is up-to-date
+    
+    if (m_data.GetCount() == 0) return NULL;
+    
+    if (m_data[0].Doc == NULL) return NULL;
+       
+    return m_data[0].Doc->GetRoot();
+}
 
 wxMenu *wxXmlResource::LoadMenu(const wxString& name)
 {
diff --git a/include/wx/xrc/xmlres.h b/include/wx/xrc/xmlres.h
index f52356bd72..e47520f5a9 100644
--- a/include/wx/xrc/xmlres.h
+++ b/include/wx/xrc/xmlres.h
@@ -115,6 +115,10 @@ public:
     // Destructor.
     ~wxXmlResource();
 
+    // Gives access to the first root node for
+    // direct manipulation or querying
+    wxXmlNode  *GetFirstRoot();
+    
     // Loads resources from XML files that match given filemask.
     // This method understands VFS (see filesys.h).
     bool Load(const wxString& filemask);
diff --git a/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp b/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
index d3aaf6232f..98cb77e1f5 100644
--- a/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
+++ b/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
@@ -146,6 +146,16 @@ void wxXmlResource::ClearHandlers()
 }
 
 
+wxXmlNode  *wxXmlResource::GetFirstRoot()
+{
+    UpdateResources(); //ensure everything is up-to-date
+    
+    if (m_data.GetCount() == 0) return NULL;
+    
+    if (m_data[0].Doc == NULL) return NULL;
+       
+    return m_data[0].Doc->GetRoot();
+}
 
 wxMenu *wxXmlResource::LoadMenu(const wxString& name)
 {