With eyes firmly on the protection of the planet (pun intended), we were so impressed with the management team from Specsavers getting on board with us, to plant a well-received 500 trees at our long-term partner planting site, Westgate Park.

We worked alongside 22 fabulous company staff members, who came onsite with one plan in mind – rolling up their sleeves to build native habitat at Naarm/Westgate Park in Port Melbourne, situated on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.

Specsavers believes in changing lives for the better. Through our products and services we’re able to change the lives of our patients and customers through better sight and hearing, and through our people and resources we’re able to use the scale of our business to create positive social impacts. The spirit of giving back runs deep in our culture and we’re proud to empower our people to give back and support their local communities through volunteering and participating in charity activities.

Not only does it reinforce our commitment to being a great place to work where everyone feels valued and supported, but it also enables our people to ultilise their unique skills, enthusiasm and teamwork to creating a positive impact beyond the workplace.

Emma Wakefield | Store Development Manager | Specsavers

Westgate Biodiversity includes Bili Nursery & Landcare Inc. and is a community-based not-for-profit organisation based at the foot of one of Melbourne’s most iconic and main transport arterials from the West to the city, Westgate Bridge. Westgate Biodiversity manages Westgate Park.

Westgate Biodiversity not only grow and sell locally indigenous plants, but work passionately in transforming Westgate Park into a natural, bush-like place for people to enjoy. The team from Specsavers are truly helping this aim, with the planting of 500 indigenous trees and shrubs.

The day started with an all-hands-on-deck mulching session, pre-tree planting, and ended up with 500 indigenous saplings in the ground by the committed team. We came to realise after a bit of digging deeper into the backstory of Specsavers, they are a community-focussed organisation which puts people first, via many community programs they have established themselves or partner with. These impressive programs, assist many Australians on many levels, across many walks of life. They include supporting The Fred Hollows Foundation to assist First Nations people with
eyesight issues. Given that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are three times more likely to go blind than other Australians, due to issues with the health system not meeting their needs, this is such a worthwhile project.

It’s very encouraging to see businesses like Specsavers to be committed to so much goodwill. And we thank them for their wonderful support of Fifteen Trees – and for helping us plant trees to add biodiversity and food/homes for fauna and other creatures in such a special spot on the Melbourne map.

If you would like to know more about sponsoring community tree planting projects and how we can assist you in becoming a more sustainable business, please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.

Writer – Lou Ridsdale

Lou 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. Lou 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