These trees are attributed to Melbourne University’s Wattle Fellowship – a leadership development program focused on sustainability.

The Wattle Fellowship is the University of Melbourne’s flagship co-curricular program dedicated to cultivating leadership for global sustainability. Grounded in the principles of transformative leadership, multidisciplinary collaboration, and practical action, the Fellowship empowers students to develop the capabilities needed to create lasting, positive change in their communities and beyond.

The Fellowship would like to recognising its volunteer selection panel members in helping us decide who our 2025 cohort should be.

We now have 100 alumni who have been part of the Wattle Fellowship – a leadership development program focused on sustainability. We want to thank those who recently participated in filling in a survey with a tree in their honour.

Linh Do | Director | Wattle Fellowship

Site 1 | Barfold, VIC | 60 trees

The aim of this revegetation project is to create habitat for indigenous fauna. It includes a wildlife corridor between neighbouring remnant vegetation and the existing roadside and creek vegetation. The area has been fenced off to livestock and the little trees are ‘holding their own’ against local kangaroos and wallabies who like to nibble the new vegetation.

Trees planted included Red River gums, Swamp Gums, Silver Wattles and Hop Bushes. We thank them for their efforts in looking after our native environment.

Site 2 | Westgate Park, VIC | 48 trees

Westgate Biodiversity is a not-for-profit organisation located at the base of one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks and busiest gateways to the city – the Westgate Bridge. Nestled beneath this urban landmark, the group is working to create something quite extraordinary – a thriving pocket of bushland that provides both sanctuary for wildlife and a green escape for people.

This community-based organisation plays a vital role in the west of Melbourne. Not only do they grow and sell locally indigenous plants to support home gardeners, schools, and revegetation projects, but they are also passionately restoring Westgate Park. Their vision is to transform what was once a degraded and industrial area into a natural, bush-like haven, filled with diverse plant species that will flourish for decades to come.

Recently, a wide variety of native trees and shrubs have been planted at the site, including: wattles (Heath, Golden, Lightwood and Coastal), sheoaks (Black, Swamp and Green), saltbushes (Grey and Marsh), correas (White, Smooth and Common) and eucalyptus (River Red Gum, Yello Gum, Ironbark, Swamp Gum and Manna Gum).

This impressive diversity of plantings will help create a rich and resilient ecosystem. As the species flower and fruit at different times of the year, they will provide a continuous supply of food and shelter for local wildlife – from birds and insects to small mammals. Over time, these plantings will not only enhance the biodiversity of Westgate Park but also ensure it becomes a vibrant, living landscape where both people and nature can thrive side by side.

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: Colleen B. Filippa

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