The TreeSmart program was officially launched on 4th August 2006 in a function held at Thornton in North-East Victoria. The Launch was attended by 70 people from the agroforestry and transport sectors and by people from the local community. Some highlights of the Launch are captured in the photos below.
The TreeSmart Launch was held at the property of Green & Gold Tree Farms in Thornton, which has been prepared for planting in September 2006, and which will be just one of many tree farm properties contributing trees to the TreeSmart program.
Mr. Graeme Anderson (Victorian Department of Primary Industries) outlined Plantations for Greenhouse, a government program which paved the way for the establishment of programs such as TreeSmart.
Guests were welcomed to the land by local elder, Uncle Roy Patterson.
The Launch started with an international flavour, with a Swiss alphorn sounding over the hills of Thornton.
Mayor of the Shire of Murrindindi, Cr. Lyn Gunter, described the role of the Shire in encouraging local business developments such as TreeSmart. Cr. Gunter was the first individual subscriber to TreeSmart, while the Shire has taken out an organisational subscription for some of the Shire's vehicle fleet.
Mr. Ben Hardman (State Member of Parliament, Seymour) described how TreeSmart aligned with the State Government's policies on Global Warming and Renewable Energy. He then officially launched TreeSmart and, under the guidance of forester Clinton Tepper from Woollybut Forestry Consultants, Ben planted the first tree on the Thornton block.
When Lyn Gunter planted her tree, she was under the watchful gaze of many of the next generation from the Shire. All of the kids then proceeded to plant their own trees (below). We hope they enjoy coming back over the years to see how they are progressing.
Rita Seethaler and Tony Richardson, Directors of TreeSmart Australia, also took the opportunity to plant a tree.
The TreeSmart Launch was expertly catered for by the Igloo Roadhouse team from Buxton and Challens Little River Wines from Taggerty. Our thanks go out to them for their excellent performance on the day, which capped off a memorable event for all concerned.
