Morwell Park students pitch in to plant treesForty-six of Latrobe City’s youngest volunteers muddied their hands in a good cause recently, when they planted native trees in a reserve off Morwell’s Gabo Way. By Latrobe City Council - 27th September 2001 - Back to News Forty-six of Latrobe City’s youngest volunteers muddied their hands in a good cause recently, when they planted native trees in a reserve off Morwell’s Gabo Way.
The children from Morwell Park Primary School planted 350 River Sheoak, Coastal Tea Tree, and Gippsland Mallee trees, about half the number allocated for being planted in the reserve, and have vowed to return after the school holidays to plant the remainder.
At the tree planting, Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins and Councillor Darrell White thanked the children for their assistance and presented each child with a certificate of appreciation.
"Latrobe City has many small reserves which can be enhanced for the community with a little thought and some assistance from our younger citizens. In this case, the tree plantings by the children from Morwell Park Primary School will make a vast contribution towards improving the visual amenity, while helping to dry what is often a swampy area," Cr Jenkins said.
"The reserve forms a buffer between housing in a number of courts off Gabo Way, and the industrial areas adjacent to Centre Road. The trees will help screen the view of any industrial premises for local residents, while providing a haven for native birds and mammals.
"Once again we are indebted to Hazelwood Power who have provided the trees for the children to plant, and the necessary tree guards. We would also like to acknowledge Bunnings for their assistance in lending the tree planting tools for the activity," Cr Jenkins said.
Cr White added that while the ground in the reserve was still decidedly wet, and many a child had smothered themselves with more than their fair share of mud, in years to come the children would be able to look back and feel a sense of achievement in seeing the trees they had planted, grow to maturity.
"Involving local children in tree planting activities such as this, provides them with a great deal of satisfaction in contributing to the community in which they live. Importantly, there is also a sense of ownership, and the children have a great deal of respect for the trees they and others have planted. That respect for the environment and property stays with them throughout their lives," Cr White said.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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