Southern Cross Grammar is a vibrant, F-12 school focused on maximising the learning of every member in their school community. Based in Caroline Springs, 21kms to the west of Melbourne CBD, the College prides itself on balancing traditional approaches with contemporary ideas supported by latest research.

Every year, the College honours the hard work the students and teachers had undertaken over the course of their secondary years with the planting of native trees.

Valedictory Dinner Celebration 2023

This year’s trees were planted out by the Campaspe Valley Landcare Group in a district that stretches north from Kyneton to Lake Eppalock and incorporates traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Taungurung Aboriginal groups.

This whole landscape has been cleared since the 1840s. It was never densely forested, instead supporting open woodland (scattered trees). But it has been heavily grazed since the earliest European settlers and is still grazed. These trees will one day provide roosting & nesting sites for the local bird fauna such as Grey Fantails and Spotted Pardalotes (featured image The Australian Museum).

Thank you to those people who are prepared to donate, even tho they do not see the direct results of their contributions.  It reminds me of one of my favourite sayings – Perfect goodness is to do without fuss (or anonymously) what one would be capable of doing in front of the whole world, Francois de la Rochefoucauld (1613-1680).

David Cheal | President | Campaspe Valley Landcare

Some of the tree species planted included; Wattles (Silver, Lightwood, Hedge, Golden), Eucalyptus (White Box, River Red Gum, Yellow Gum, Grey Box, Swamp Gum, Manna Gum, Candlebark), Bulokes and Drooping Sheoaks.

Valedictory Dinner Celebration 2022

The trees (90) were planted by the Brisbane Ranges Landcare group at Durdidwarrah (on the northern side of the National Park) over the course of a spring weekend. The species of natives planted included; a selection of wattles (Gold-dust, Lightwood, Black, and Golden), Allocasuarina’s (Buloke and Drooping Sheoak), Eucalyptus (Red Gum, Stringybark, Yellow Box, Ironbox, Manna Gum and Yellow Gum) plus a selection of Bottlebrushes, Correas and Tea-trees. The planting group had a Land Management Consultant in to help develop a plan to improve the health of the land, with particular emphasis on planting both indigenous and non-indigenous trees and vegetation.

We all know the struggles and challenges our youth have had over past few years in Victoria with online learning and disassociation with their peers. These are formative years for developing social skills. Along with the College community, we wish the Year 12 students all the very best with their chosen pathways, and remember, you don’t have to stay on the path, sometimes getting lost will bring untold adventures and opportunities!

Writer, Lou Ridsdale.

Lou 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 can lead a more nourishing and sustainable life. Her passion for education + communication being the most empowering tool for change is reflected as her role as Founder of 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