Published on 15 December 2022
Planting trees for the Jubilee
Two trees were planted in Morphett Vale last week in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, with dozens more to be planted across Onkaparinga in 2023 to commemorate her 70 years of service.
Both City of Onkaparinga ($20,000) and Southern United Netball Association (SUNA, $17,250) received funding from the Australian Government’s Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program to plant the trees at Knox Park, and at SUNA in Wilfred Taylor Reserve.
Amanda Rishworth MP joined City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were to plant the first tree (an SA Blue Gum, Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. leucoxylon) at Knox Park on Thursday 8 December, followed by the first (a Pink-flowered Blue Gum, Eucalyptus leucoxylon ‘rosea’) at SUNA alongside club members and General Manager, Laurie Bilby.
Dozens more native trees will be planted at the two sites—and at the sites of other successful Onkaparinga grant recipients, Braeview Primary School and Flagstaff Hill Kindergarten—during the prime planting season in autumn in 2023.
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were said the Jubilee plantings were an idea from The Queen herself.
"Her Majesty was really influenced by her son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and it meant she had a great commitment to the environment,” she said during the Knox Park planting.
“These plantings are a good story about passing things on to future generations. I know the local community will embrace this place when they see the trees thriving, and it’s nice to know that we’ll come and go, but these trees will be around for a long time."
The trees are aimed at not only helping to beautify the areas and enhance tree canopy, but also creating lasting spaces that can be visited by the community for years to come, recognising and honouring The Queen, who passed away on 8 September.
The $15.1 million Australian Government planting program complements other initiatives occurring across the Commonwealth to mark The Queen's Jubilee, such as the tree planting initiative in the United Kingdom which is inviting people to "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee".
The Knox Park plantings will complement other upcoming council work at the 5.1 hectare site, including a $2.2 million athletics and multi-use sports park, and playground upgrade.