National Tree Day 2008

by Bro Jonjon Mejia

“They are locally native species, a mixture of grass shrubs and trees, such as Eucalyptus and Wattle” said Justine of Blacktown City Council

“..in one year, it will grow to about 30 cm tall, and after18 months, that’s when you can really see their growth.” she added.

Families of staffs from Blacktown City Council, special friends, and members of Alpha Phi Omega Australia Alumni Association (APOAAA) with their families, planted such trees in Morreau Reserve, Rooty Hill NSW, last July 27, 2008 – National Tree Day this year.

Blacktown City Council, one of the sponsors of the project, has allocated and prepared a tree bed, covered with bark shavings, on an area just before the parking space of the park. Volunteers, mostly who came early, dug a hole on the bed, spacing it in between, to about a meter. Other volunteers, took a tray of seedlings from Blacktown staff, finding a space, took one seedling with the garden soil still clinging to its roots, placed it carefully on a hole and then topped it up with soil. The last bit they did was to cover the exposed soil with bark shavings, then start again on the next hole.

It was a mixture of volunteers. Some are just quiet, with their heads down, carefully measuring their hand movements, so as not to hurt the seedlings. Others are plain loud, like they have somehow swallowed a bullhorn, then having a conversation with another person just a few feet away. Some would like to stay alone, as if trying to be at peace with the surroundings. Others would like to be in a group, happily chit-chatting the day away.

There were teasing and mocking about. One was said to have a great “managerial skills” since he is at ease in giving out instructions and directing people’s moves. And one was said to look like typical council worker - standing and leaning on a spade, just busily blabbering away. People, who were late, were suspected to have gone first to another tree planting site in Penrith, probing in jest their loyalty. It was also noted that there are members who did the barbequing when they know all along that that job is for the president, just like in the previous years, a sort of becoming a tradition. Either they were genuinely helping or they are already electioneering.

Special friends came to help out during the day. One is Mr Cesar Bartoleme, father of Carlo, a member of APO Australia Inc. The son was not present but the presence of the dad was much appreciated. Next is Ms Venus Priest, a likely candidate for councilor on the next election. Mr Jun Relunia and Mr Aaron, friends of Gerry Musa, president of APOAAA. There’s also Mr Eddie Santiago, a former partner of a member of APO, and Mr Baylon, who heard from the radio a day before, about the tree planting participation of APOAAA and so he came by to help, as well as see his APO friend, Prince.

All up, it was a fun day. After the spading, hoeing and sowing, barbeque lunch was ready. Rolls of sausages, chicken wings, squid, and a pot of southern Luzon delicacy called Bicol Express were served with bread and later on, a pot of rice from Gerry Musa’s household that was delivered by his daughters and friends.
Afterwards, each volunteer was called on a make-shift stage and received a certificate of attendance. The last one was counted as the 45th

Just as the ceremony finished, Caroline from Blacktown City Council came to announce the number of trees planted. She wanted to put it in her digital camera so she asked everyone to gather in front of the APO banner. She also said that the picture she will take might be in one of the community newspapers. And so when every one was ready, Caroline with her camera ready, yelled: “how many trees were planted?”

She clicked on the button when everyone shouted in unison: “ONE THOUSAND!!!!”