This month, film maker Erin McCuskey took her film ‘Dancing Shadows’ (including Precious Fragments created in collaboration with Wadawurrung artists Dr Deanne Gilson and Tammy Gilson) across the seas to screen in Belfast (at The Darkroom), Dublin (Stand Arts Centre) and London.
Each screening has been unique. The screening in Belfast included a workshop about dancing with the ghosts of family archive. The screening in Dublin was a 3 channel projection while in London, twirling was the theme.
Travelling by plane is costly, in turns of time, money and carbon! And so, as a gift to a woman who cares passionately about family, connections, creative projects and the planet, we have have planted 50 native trees on her behalf.
– ONE TREE FOR EVERY HOUR IN THE AIR –
Raakajlim is a 490ha conservation property in the Mallee of northwest Victoria. Raakajlim borders Hattah-Kulkyne National Park and is the land of the Latji Latji people. It was there that we organised the planting of 50 trees on the behalf of Erin McCuskey.
Some of the species planted included; Sugarwood, Cattlebush, Umbrella Wattle, Gumbi Gumbi, Pimelea Daisy-bush, Slender-leaf Mallee, Red Mallee, Elegant Wattle, Silver Hakea, Mallee Teatree, Common Emu-bush and very importantly the Slender Cypress Pine.
The Slender Cypress Pine is a key food plant for the Pink Cockatoo. This beautiful bird was listed as endangered under the federal EPBC Act in March 2023. The decline of Pink Cockatoos is closely linked to the decline of native Pine in Victoria. As well as being a food plant, Cockatoos nest in hollows of Pine trees that are at least 100 years old. This revegetation project is investing in the future for this bird.
With your contribution, Mallee Conservation can restore habitat for the beautiful, endangered Pink Cockatoo. It also supports Traditional Owner self- determination for our local mob and inspires school students to love our beautiful Mallee landscape.
Yep, tree planting, really can do all that!
Fiona Murdoch | Secretary | Friends of Mallee Conservation
Travel well Erin, turn the UK on it’s head! We shall see you back in our hometown of Ballarat on Wadawurrang Country very soon.
If you would like to know more about sponsoring community tree planting projects and how we can assist you in becoming a more sustainable artist please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.
Writer: Colleen B. Filippa
With a background in Environmental Science, Colleen is the Founding Director of Fifteen Trees. In 2009, after 20 years in primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions, Colleen left the classroom to start the company. Fifteen Trees is a social enterprise assisting individuals and companies to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting community groups such as Landcare, schools and environmental networks.
Restoring Australian ecosystems. Supporting communities with their revegetation projects for a greener and healthier planet.
Fifteen Trees acknowledges Indigenous Australians as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work, live and play.
We recognise that Indigenous Australians have cared for and lived in harmony with this land for millennia, and their knowledge and wisdom of the land endures.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and stand in solidarity as Indigenous Australians seek a fairer and more sustainable future for the land and its people.