PLATINUM JUBILEE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II CELEBRATED WITH TREE PLANTING PROJECTS

In the village of Marrar, not far from Wagga Wagga which Queen Elizabeth II visited during her first visit to Australia in 1954, 20 native trees have been planted as part of a $15.1 million national program to celebrate her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack today joined with Coolamon Shire Council Mayor, Councillor David McCann OAM, to unveil a plaque at Marrar which commemorates Council’s participation in the historic Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee Program 70 years after the Queen’s ascension to the throne.

Mr McCormack said Coolamon Shire Council was one of nine successful applicants in the Riverina and Central West for funding through the program.

Each of Australia’s 151 Federal Electorates was allocated up to $100,000 for tree planting projects submitted by not-for-profit organisations.

Coolamon Shire has used its $10,000 grant to plant a total of 100 Blakely’s Red Gum trees at the Marrar, Ardlethan, Coolamon and Ganmain cemeteries and at the Matong Sports Ground.

“This tree planting program is unique and I am so pleased the Queen is being honoured in this way because it is said Her Majesty planted 1500 trees during her many visits to Australia,” Mr McCormack said.

Cr McCann said Council was proud to be involved in the Jubilee celebrations and grateful for the funding, which will see avenues of native trees planted across the Shire.

“We hope that in the years to come as these trees mature the community is able to reflect on the dedicated public service of our Queen to our Commonwealth of Australia,” Cr McCann said.

Mr McCormack said many Wagga Wagga District people had fond memories of the then 27-year-old Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the city on 13 February 1954.

“The Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, spent just 145 minutes in Wagga Wagga, but the visit lives on in the memories of many residents 68 years on and has been described as the city’s greatest day,” Mr McCormack said.

“There were some 14,000 school children at Bolton Park to see Her Majesty Queen there and I am sure many of them tell their grandchildren about the day they saw the Queen drive by.”

Grant recipients in the Riverina Electorate will use grants to plant trees in public parks, villages, reserves, cemeteries, along walking and cycling paths and other open spaces.

PLANTING TREES FOR THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE TREE PLANTING GRANT RECIPIENTS IN THE RIVERINA AND CENTRAL WEST

• Coolamon Shire Council - $10,000

• Temora Shire Council - $3,000

• Wagga Wagga City Council - $8,895

• Cowra Shire Council - $10,000

• Rotary Club of Junee (with the Old Junee Progress & Hall Association) - $14,210

• Bland Shire Council - $10,000

• Harden Regional Development Corporation - $10,000

• Rotary Club of South Wagga Wagga - $8,895

• Naradhan P&C Association - $10,000