The Nillumbik community will have the opportunity to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II at a commemorative tree planting on Saturday 5 November.
A golden wattle will be planted at Alistair Knox Park as part of the Commonwealth Government's Planting Trees for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Program.
Prior to the Queen's death on 8 September, Council received $92,000 in funding as part of the program to plant more than 230 mature trees across the Shire to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.
The November tree planting of a golden wattle to launch the program in Nillumbik will now be an opportunity to commemorate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth as well as the achievements of the 70 years of her historic reign.
The golden wattle is significant as it is featured on the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Australia emblem and inspired by the golden wattle brooch given to her in 1954 and worn on visits to Australia.
Nillumbik Mayor Frances Eyre said the tree planting would be an opportunity for the Nillumbik community to pay their respects locally.
"The trees planted in her honour across the Shire will now be a living memory of her remarkable life and the 70 years of her reign," Cr Eyre said.
Cr Eyre thanked the Federal Government for it support and said the program would provide an important boost to the tree canopy of Nillumbik, contributing to the Shire's much-love leafy character.
Further community tree planting days will take place in April and May next year at 10 locations across the Shire:
- Alistair Knox Park, Eltham
- Alan Marshall Reserve, Eltham
- Cooinda Reserve, Eltham
- Diamond Creek Trail, Wattle Glen to Hurstbridge
- Diamond Hills Reserve, Greensborough
- Eltham Community and Reception Centre
- Kangaroo Ground Memorial Park
- Main Road from Eltham to Research
- Thrive, Diamond Creek
- Yarrambat Park.
The plantings will take place in the cooler autumn weather, giving the trees the best chance to establish before summer.
The Rotary Club of Eltham received a further $20,000 under the program to plant trees along the Diamond Creek in Eltham North including near the new off-leash dog park in Wattletree Road.
Read about the Planting for the Queen's Jubilee Program.
