IT was a successful night of local tree planting for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last month with over 30 people gathering to celebrate the occasion.

Held at the section of the Hamilton Coleraine Rail Reserve located on Fairburns Road, 260 trees were planted and a plaque was unveiled as part of the Commemorative Planting event for The Late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Part of the evening’s activities included a short speech from the Hon Dan Tehan MP who spoke of the wonderful experience of planting trees and seeing them grow and develop over the years, and the legacy of Her Majesty’s contribution to the tree canopy across the Commonwealth.

Also in attendance was Southern Grampians Shire Council mayor, David Robertson, who spoke of the Shire’s ambition to see the Hamilton - Coleraine Rail Trail fully operational and the opportunity to further associate with The Peter Francis Points Arboretum in Coleraine - which has one of the largest collection of eucalypts in the world.

The Hamilton Coleraine Rail Reserve Committee (HCRRC) chair elect, Susan Brumby, thanked everyone for their contribution to improving the Hamilton end of the Rail Trail and expressed her desire to see the area further developed.

“It was a beautiful night,” she said.

“The Rail Reserve covers some of the most spectacular landscapes and flora and fauna, and in the past week over 50 people had individually interacted with the Rail Reserve.

“The Hamilton end of the Rail Reserve is in need of development and nurturing to better serve the people of Hamilton and enable it to fulfil its promise.”

The HCRRC were recipients of a $15,426 government grant earlier this year to enable tree planting and fencing of the Hamilton - Coleraine Rail Trail between Fairburns Road and Kenny Road in Hamilton.

 The grant was part of a program that saw each federal electorate given up to $100,000 to be handed out to community projects that honour The Queen and her legacy of achievements throughout the community.

Ms Brumby said the HCRRC was appreciative of the grant and hoped to further develop the Hamilton end of the Rail Trail to enable more people to enjoy its conservation and recreation aspects.

Students from Baimbridge College also assisted to plant trees at the Rail Trail, with over 30 students gathering to help develop the Rail Trail prior to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event.

Baimbridge College principal, Warwick Price, attended the event last month to acknowledge the students’ hard work and dedication to the continued success of the Rail Trail.

Declared a Reserve for Nature Conservation and Recreation in 2000, Hamilton Coleraine Rail Reserve is around 157 hectares and is rich with native flora, acting as a wildlife corridor. 

The aim of the HCRRC is to conserve the environment and encourage greater usage and recognition of this vital and very special natural asset in our community.