Ballarat Central Uniting Church raised $820 via a coin line fundraiser to purchase 153 trees for community groups in the Grampians District of Victoria for planting, and facilitated by us (Fifteen Trees) with Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network, who also have a long history in caring for country.

This much appreciated fundraising effort, hosted by the Church’s Social Justice Group, demonstrated that they are very concerned about Climate Change, and as many of the Congregation have settled in Ballarat from rural areas, they deeply appreciate the gift of trees and the impact that has.

The Uniting Church has a very strong Social Justice arm, and are a ‘vibrant, active, inclusive Christian church, committed to follow the way of Jesus, and to serve our community and world through both the work of the congregation and Uniting Ballarat.’

Their Tongan Minister was right there with them, and the group additionally gave some financial support to Refugees. This is not surprising with their own community encompassing a diverse background, with a mixture of life experience, culture, age and theological outlook, and always welcoming all people.

They have a particular focus and commitment of being in relationship and community with those who are isolated, ostracised, and disadvantaged by social and political structures.

The trees and native bushes planted in the region will go a long way in securing a more protected habitat for one our cutest marsupials, the Squirrel glider. Sometimes confused with their cousins, the Sugar glider, the way to tell them apart is that the Squirrel gliders are twice their size and less vocal. They do love climbing trees but take shelter in tree hollows during the day and will only venture out at night.

“We want to regenerate lost habitats, create biolinks on agricultural land, enhance and help nature and celebrate our 35th Landcare Anniversary.”

Andrew Borg | Coordinator | Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network

If you are interested in how your business and Fifteen Trees could work together, contact us at <[email protected]> and ask for a no obligation proposal or check out our COMPANY page for more info.

Writer

Lou Ridsdale is a big fan of words and has been our Comms Manager since 2019.

She is a big-minded green thumb, Earth Lover, big-hearted nature freak plus a savvy media and horticulture expert, who passionately believe that everyone is capable of leading a more nourishing and sustainable life. Her passion for education + communication being the most empowering tool for change is reflected in her setting up her own digital/comms agency Hey Hoe Let’s Grow Socials. She also founded Food Is Free Inc. a unique grassroots food security platform specialising in food security education. She fell in love with trees after reading The Magic Faraway Tree as a child.

You can find Lou here