Published on Friday, 21 April 2023 at 9:58:02 AM
Local prisoners were given the opportunity to commemorate ANZAC Day in a unique way when they took part in a special Lone Pine planting event on Monday 17 April.
Working closely with the City of Greater Geraldton’s Community Nursery, 11 volunteers from Greenough Regional Prison spent the morning potting up 100 Lone Pine seedlings into 35 litre grow bags.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn welcomed the collaboration.
“It’s wonderful to be able to team up with the Department of Justice to make this project a reality,” he said.
“These seedlings descend from the Gallipoli Lone Pine, and the significance of this was not lost on those who volunteered.
“It allowed them to honour the past while also contributing to the community in a way that will live on for generations to come.
“They were a great bunch who impressed City staff on the day with their dedication and respect for the project.”
Assistant Superintendent Offender Services at Greenough Regional Prison Dean Wellman offered further insight into the significance of the planting.
“It’s not just a run-of-the-mill-project. Aboriginal soldiers were among those who fought at Gallipoli, but their contribution and sacrifice is often forgotten,” he said.
“It’s only in recent years that there’s been growing awareness. The Lone Pine gives them a connection to their ancestry, it links this generation to the generations of the past.
Once bigger, the seedlings are destined to join 139 other Lone Pine saplings already growing at Leonard T. Green Memorial Park.
Officially opened in 2018, the Leonard T. Green Memorial Park is dedicated to residents who lost their lives in active service during World War I.
For more information about ANZAC Day services in both Geraldton and Mullewa, refer to the City’s website.
Photo caption: Assistant Superintendent Offender Services at Greenough Regional Prison Dean Wellman (L) and City of Greater Geraldton Community Nursery Officer Jeanette Reynolds (R) with Lone Pine seedlings ready to be potted up.
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