On National Tree Day last year, Georgie Green, Science and Sustainable teacher at Skipton PS, organised staff, parents, teachers and students to help plant 90 native trees on the school grounds and at the local Jubilee Park.  The day was made possible because of the generosity of Peter King and the team from King’s Cars. Fifteen Trees plants 15 trees for every Mitsubishis sold at the dealership. To date, Peter has helped plant over 5,500 trees across the Ballarat district and has supported Fifteen Trees since July 2010.    

On the 29th of July the whole school planted native trees. Firstly, I would like to say a big thank you to the Read families for donating tree guards and stakes and King’s Cars for donating the trees. Also to Jess and Fiona who came and helped all the classes to plant the trees and Georgie and the teachers.

The grade 5/6 had two plantings one with our Prep buddies and then one planting trees around the school. The Grade 1/2 did planting around the frog bog and Grade 3 went outside of the school to Jubilee Park. Then Grade 4 planted around the front of the school. All grades participated in planting plants around the school and Jubilee Park. The whole school planted 9o trees and 40 grass plants and all the grass plants are indigenous. Some of the trees that we planted were Light Wood, Hop Bush Native, Calistemon and Pink Sheoak. The grass that we planted was Spear Grass, Poa Tussock, Kangaroo Grass, Flax Lilly and Chocolate Lilly. Hopefully in a couple of years the trees will be full grown and helping wild life and giving cleaner air.

The whole school had a great day out planting grass and trees and we hope that soon the grass and trees will grow. Also thank you to all the helpers that made that day.

By Kailah | Grade 5 student | Skipton PS

Meanwhile over at Wala Animal Sanctuary, another 105 trees were planted by Karen and members from the Central Highlands Water.

Hi Colleen

Most of the trees were planted on our south boundary fence line. As they grow they will become a wind break, shelter, home and food source for the many native animals we care for and also the rescued farm and domestic animals will benefit from the shelter and shade the trees will offer. We also had a corner of another paddock planted with a couple of trees to replace old trees that had been blown over in strong winds. And lastly, a few native shrubs were planted on the north side of our property to offer wind protection, shade and to be another food source. The recent rains have been a blessing for our group of 105 trees. We are very grateful to King’s Cars for providing this opportunity.

Karen | Wala Animal Sanctuary

And lastly, 45 trees were planted for a revegetation project on the property of Tom and Rosemary Davies. The trees were planted around a dam to entice native animals to use the space as a protected habitat.

Slàinte – Colleen