Harrison Funerals is one of our oldest supporters. Since 2010, Harrison Funerals has partnered with Fifteen Trees to plant one mature tree for every funeral service held.

We are delighted to be in partnership with Harrison Funerals. To date, we have distributed over 800 mature trees to community groups in the Ballarat district thanks to this generous Ballarat business. We have been working with Harrison Funerals since 2010 and are very grateful for their support.

Colleen Filippa | Founding Director | Fifteen Trees

Harrison Funeral’s plantings are truly community affairs. All the trees are planted by community groups, and in shared spaces – schools, community grounds, public reserves and gardens. Because of this, the memory of the loved one is tied to a sense of belonging, and of place. The trees (a mix of exotic and native, depending on the location) are wanted, cared for, and appreciated by those who plant them. In addition, they provide habitat and shade, filter the air, and stabilise the soil.

This year, we are planting 46 mature trees for Harrison Funerals at the following 5 sites:

• North Ballarat Community Gardens
• Ballarat Cemetery
• Clarendon Reserve
• Ballarat Community Gardens
• Canadian Lead Primary School

Working in conjunction with Harrison Funerals, Fifteen Trees reached out to community groups to offer them free mature trees.  The trees are sourced from Ballarat’s Formosa Gardens.

Site A |  Ballarat North Community Gardens | 10 trees

One group who has benefited from the generosity of Harrison Funerals is the newly formed Ballarat North Community Gardens, located next to the Midlands water park in Doveton St Nth. The 10 fruit trees were very well received from the group.

As a new community garden with a new small, dedicated volunteer base we were absolutely delighted to get support from 15 trees.  Our fruit tree planting day was a success and we managed to get all eleven trees in the ground in only 50 minutes as it rained.  These trees will help us achieve our aim of building community, making our local park more beautiful, and providing free and easily accessible food for all. The trees we have planted will enhance our community garden.

Jay Morrison | President | Ballarat North Community Gardens

These trees will not only provide habitat, shelter, and protection for many birds and insects, but also shade for the garden bed soils in the community gardens, reducing the destructive heat in summertime. But the real bonus will come as the trees mature, for once in fruit season, they will also provide nutritious delicious food for many community members.

Site B |  Ballarat General Cemeteries | 20 trees

These trees will be planted in our open green spaces to provide shade and beauty for our community to gather to attend funerals, visit relatives or friends who have passed or to enjoy the surroundings provided by the Cemetery Trust.

Darryl Tuddenham | Ballarat General Cemeteries

Site C |  Canadian Lead Primary School | 10 trees

On 1^st September 2022 the two prep classes at Canadian Lead Primary School came together on a chilly afternoon to plant our 10 donated fruit trees as a way to cement learning about the life cycle of plants. The trees were chosen to create extra shade, offer opportunities for students to continue to observe plant growth, and one day be able to pick the fruit! Many thanks to our donor Harrison Funerals.

These trees will provide not only shade for our school community but they will also become a part of a learning experience for our students to understand and appreciate our natural environment.

Ruth Varenica | Canadian Lead PS

Site D |  Ballarat Community Gardens | 6 trees

We want to plant trees because we would like to provide fruit for the community and create a learning experience in how to care for the trees. The trees will also provide shade for anyone who wishes to sit under them and the canopy cover will also reduce air temperatures during summer.

Sheilagh Kentish | Coordinator | Ballarat Community Gardens

Writers: Colleen Filippa and Lou Ridsdale.

Colleen is the Founding Director of Fifteen Trees. Colleen’s background is in environmental education. In 2009, after 20 years in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, Colleen left the classroom to start the company. Fifteen Trees assists individuals and companies to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting community groups such as Landcare, schools and environmental networks.

Lou is a green thumb, Earth Lover, big-hearted nature freak, plus a savvy media and horticulture expert, who passionately believe that everyone can lead a more nourishing and sustainable life. Her passion for education + communication being the most empowering tool for change is reflected in her side hustle Hey Hoe Let’s Grow. 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