OVER the course of the last 22 years, students, teachers, and friends of The Hamilton and Alexandra College (THAAC) have planted 25,320 trees, and they’re not stopping there.
The tree planting program is incorporated into the Year 9 Geography curriculum and began in 1998 under the leadership of past teacher and Hamilton local, Mr Rob Drummond.
The program has continued since then, only to be interrupted in 2020 and 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Liz Cummins, also a former teacher of THAAC, is the liaison between and the Landcare group.
Part of this role is securing commitment from property owners nine months ahead of the planting dates, which is the start of September, before the students are set to plant the following year.
“I have proudly been a part of this program since the inception, and over this 22-year period, students at The Hamilton and Alexandra College have planted and put guards around 25,320 trees and shrubs - all of which were part of revegetation projects,” Ms Cummins explained.
“We have planted on 31 different sites, on properties owned by members of the Bulart Landcare Management Group.
“Most of the plantations were supported by the (Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority), but the landholders were responsible for site preparation, which involves fencing, weed control, and sometimes feral animal control,” Ms Cummins said.
The Geography curriculum at THAAC will continue to engage Year 9 students in the tree planting program.
The program is strongly supported by current and past staff, and members of the College community who understand the importance of revegetation projects and positive impact that this school-based program provides.
“The students have always enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing their labours - looking back at the rows and rows and rows of tree guards after a long day of hard work,” Ms Cummins said.
“Also, property owners have always been grateful for the help from Hamilton College, so it really is a win-win initiative.”
In the 150th year of The Hamilton and Alexandra College, this is a wonderful program to reflect on how that has supported the local community.
