What do you do with nearly one thousand trees, shrubs and grass species that need planting before an opening ceremony scheduled for 2 pm that day.
Geoff Buckley is Secretary, Director and co-founder of the Tamborine Mountain Sports Centre and is also a master horticulturalist. With his collegue Derek Merin, Geoff decided to invite Tamborine Mountain families to plant these native species along the verges of the roads and paths around the Sports Centre.
It was a wonderful way to celebrate National Tree Day by planting species that are native to the Tamborine Mountain area. The local community responded strongly.
Givey Family
Family groups from around Tamborine Mountain came to the Sunday mornings plantings. An estimated 974 plants had been prepared for planting, the ground had already been marked out, holes drilled and soil softened so the children could easily scrape back a small amount of soil and place the tree in the hole. A quick backfill around the tree, a stake to ensure it grows straight and true and the job would be done.
Ferguson Family
Geoff and Derek with the committee of the Tamborine Mountain Sports Centre, had secured tree, shrub and grass species that are native to the Tamborine Mountain area. Some, such as Ownenia cepoidoria (delightfully known as the “Bog Onion”) are officially endangered.
Face painting
After they had planted a tree of their own, many children played on the jumping castle, were made a gift by a balloon artist and many had their faces painted by an enchanting fairy.