Good Karma Tattoo is a collective based tattoo studio on Awabakal Country, NSW. They live by the intention of creating tattoos with love, intention and devotion, but also hold these values close in all aspects of business and life.

At the core of Good Karma Tattoo is an ethos of creative inspiration, professionalism, and devotion to the craft of tattooing. Founded and led by Seb and Estelle, this collective of tattooers prioritises a sustainable and intimate space in which clients can feel safe and relaxed. Illustrative tattooing is all about personal aesthetic and style, and Good Karma Tattoo aims to provide the perfect fit with access to six unique and exceptional tattoo artists.

When it came time to plan this event, it was clear to us we had to find a way to ease the impact of the modern luxury of tattooing on our precious environment. It was from this intention the idea of ‘one tattoo / one tree’ birthed, and we sought Fifteen Trees to make our contribution. It is so important that we take the responsibility to give back to the land that provides for us, on so many levels.

Thank you for existing, Fifteen Trees and enabling us to give back to Gaia in healthy and loved native trees.

Estelle | Owner | Good Karma Tattoo.

Wallis Creek, NSW | 45 trees | 2026

There’s a creek in the Hunter Valley that runs through mixed farming country before joining the Hunter River. The creek is called Wallis Creek, and it is home to something rare on the Hunter Floodplain – a handful of huge remnant rainforest trees. These trees the last of their kind in this part of the landscape, and the team from the Hunter Rainforest Revival Project is determined to make sure they’re protected in the decades to come.

We’re so excited to make a donation of 45 trees following our recent community Flash Day at Good Karma Tattoo. Our event brought together local artists, small businesses and our community, and we’re so grateful that, together, we were able to contribute to restoring our environment in this small way for National Tree Day.

Thank you for the important work you do. We’re proud to support your mission and hope these 45 trees make a meaningful difference.

The Good Karma Tattoo Team 

Over three volunteer days, a mix of local community members and staff from NGM Group’s corporate offices in Newcastle gathered at Wallis Creek to plant along the riparian corridor. For those unfamiliar with the term, riparian zones are the living edges of our waterways.

We really appreciate the sponsorship that has made this revegetation site at Wallis Creek possible. This site is a crucial link in the chain of Dry Rainforest habitat across the Hunter – one of the rarest and most threatened ecosystems in New South Wales. Without the support of sponsors, projects like this simply wouldn’t happen. Every tree planted here brings us one step closer to reconnecting the fragmented patches of rainforest that remain, and giving the wildlife that depends on them a genuine future in this landscape.

Stacy Mail | Lower Hunter Landcare Coordinator | HRLN

The species planted reflect the diversity and ambition of the project – River Oak, Swamp Oak, Cabbage Gum, River Red Gum, Flooded Gum, Swamp Mahogany, Forest Red Gum, Flax-leaved Paperbark, Prickly-leaved Tea Tree, Native Frangipanni, Soft Corkwood and Willow-leaved Bottlebrush. Together, these native trees and shrubs will establish a critical habitat link between existing rainforest patches across the Local Government Area and the Lower Hunter.

A new biodiversity corridor created so that birds, pollinators and wildlife can move through safely as the landscape slowly reconnects.

Pyalong Creek, VIC | 100 trees | 2024

The Nulla Vale Landcare group, who planted the trees, has engaged in a program of regenerating the island in Mollison Creek, Pyalong. The island had become overgrown with blackberries, gorse and thistles to the extent that it was inaccessible. Having removed the weeds, including blackberries up to two metres high, the group embarked on a native revegetation program in order to restore the island to it’s native condition. Ongoing weeding will be undertaken until the native vegetation has reached a mature state that will naturally reduce and control the weed invasion.

We would like to thank Fifteen Trees and their supporters for contributing to our effort to begin the process of healing this spectacular piece of land. The trees provided will help to protect the few old trees that remain. These trees are better preserved if they have an ecology of smaller supportive trees and bushes around them, along with some young replacement trees that will one day grow to a similar scale. A rich and diverse ecology around these old trees, helps bring back the wildlife and the insects that provide a far more protective environment.

We thank you for your interest and generosity.

James Legge | President | NV&PWLC

The creek and island is inhabited by a range of water birds including Ducks, Blue Cranes and water fowl. Many species of birds in Central Victoria inhabit the area such as Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, Corellas and Wrens.

Scotchmans Lead, VIC | 100 trees | 2023

The trees were planted by Napoleon Enfield Landcare Group, on a huge flood plain at Scotchmans Lead (south of Ballarat) on National Tree Day. Sixty-five enthusiastic individuals from the local community gathered to plant 24 specially chosen local species including River Red gums, Manna gums, various species of wattles and Sheoaks.

The aim of the planting is to bring back the biodiversity that once occupied the area. With past plantings, native grasses are now flourishing and the presence of previously planted native vegetation is changing the depleted soil into a thriving ecosystem. These new trees and shrubs will grow tall helping to reduce carbon emissions into the future. The planting group are linking this area to the nearby forests and river to give the environment a good chance to grow at its best, despite a changing climate.

Here at Fifteen Trees, we are always happy to have a chat about the best way to incorporate ‘care of country’ into your organisation. It’s a lovely way to connect with the broader community and reduce some of your company’s environmental impacts. If interested, please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.

Writer: Bronwyn Blaiklock.

Bronwyn is a multidisciplinary creative: a poet, a pianist, a reformed perfectionist. She has worked in the creative and education sectors for over 25 years. She also confesses to having an affair with an accordion, but whatever you do, don’t tell the piano. Find Bronwyn here.