Throughout July, the Murrindindi Shire community came together to celebrate National Tree Day with a series of events and activities promoting the importance of trees in our environment and encouraging collective action to protect and nurture our natural surroundings.
On 16 July, nature enthusiasts and community members gathered at the Yea Shire Hall for a talk by Dr Gregory Moore OAM. A Senior Research Associate at Melbourne University, Dr Moore shared his knowledge and passion for arboriculture and talked about the crucial role trees play in maintaining biodiversity and mitigating climate change.
Attendees of all ages participated in activities, including art and craft sessions where children explored their creativity through nature-themed projects. Every participant left with a piece of the celebration – native plants and a wooden bookmark.
Over the month of July there were at least eight planting events in Murrindindi Shire, where over 2500 plants were planted by at least 32 volunteers from Eildon, Intrepid and the UT Creek/Leckie Park Landcare Groups, students and teachers from Alexandra High School, and Alexandra, Sacred Heart and Yea Primary Schools.
Council also ran the 'Longest Gum Leaf Competition', which saw residents get out in nature in search of the longest gum leaf they could find. The competition attracted 34 entries from across the Shire and our libraries in Alexandra, Kinglake and Yea each held their own adult and youth competitions.
In Alexandra, Lucas Barter won the youth competition, with a 58 cm leaf found at a Caravan Park in Eildon, and Emma Williams won the adult competition with a 53 cm leaf also found at a Caravan Park in Eildon.
In Kinglake, the youth winners were Jan, Freya and Elsie Chambers with a 53 cm leaf found in Flowerdale. The adult winner was Lyn Robinson with a 31.8 cm leaf found at a bike track in Pleasant Creek.
In Yea, Barrett and Kai Dettering won the youth competition with a 49.5 cm leaf found near Flowerdale Community House.
The Longest Gum Leaf Competition celebrated the beauty and resilience of Australia's gum trees and served as a reminder that small actions, like measuring a leaf, can contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of our environment.
