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Tree Creatures Workshop – Varna Park

TVS Member Amanda Farquharson was invited to run one of her wonderful Tree Creature-making sessions over the weekend, as part of ‘Second Nature’, a Waverley Council sustainability initiative.

Members of the public swapped between Tree Planting and Tree Creature-making sessions, resulting in a hugely enjoyable day out, celebrating community, art and nature.

Instagram: @amanda.m.farquharson

Through walking in nature, noting and gathering curious and interesting elements to selectively assemble, bind, weave and twine into sculptural works, so developing empathy & veneration for trees. Nature nurtures, as we contemplate our interconnection with nature.

Exhibition: Botanica Materia Medica, Plants and Healing

Date: 29 Jul – 13 Aug, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Lion Gate Lodge, Mrs Macquaries Road, RBG Sydney
Cost: FREE

Event website

Congratulations to the following artists for being accepted into Botanica De Materia Medica: Plants X Healing at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Nilavan Adams, Julia Allcorn , Beverly Allen, Ro Bancroft, Debbie Bourke, Deb Chirnside , Niki Coates, Alissa Cook, Elizabeth Cooper, Rosemary Donnelly, @amanda.m.farquharson , Kerry Ferguson, Lindsey Goff, @pat_hall_art , @a.hallan , Anne Hayes, @garth_henderson , Tanya Hoolihan, @adrienne_hunt_sydney , Kerriann Indorato, Christine Johnson, @lindajoyceartist , @by_sooka_art , Jenny Lee, @angelaloberartist , @lindalunnonillustrations , @marchantvickie , Janet Mathews, Debra Meier, @alisonmitchellartist , Christina Mucha, Clare Nicholson ,@katenolanart , @granny_attic , @johnpastoriza , Julie Patterson, Pamela Pauline, @botanicalarttv , Anne Saville, @shippisart , @lisashepherdfloralartist , @artbyavantika , @glennrsmith66 , Tina Spira , Claire Stack, Ruth Thompson, @ledaart , Bronwyn Van de Graaff, Anna Van Der Gardner , @trebouxia , Penny Walton, Peta West

Finding the divine in the natural world

RN Broadcast Thu 17 Nov 2022 at 3:00pm

With the latest round of UN climate talks wrapping up recently, it’s a good time to ask a fundamental question: Who are we, in relation to nature? What kinds of relationships bind us to other beings, like trees?

Maybe even amid climate change we can approach nature with celebration – even veneration?… Read more and Listen to the Interview here

Northern Beaches Writers Competition

Image: ‘Magical Tree’ by Liliarta Visions

WRITERS ARE INVITED TO ENTER STORIES (max 2500 words) inspired by the theme of Tree, along with at least one (1) copyright-free image that reflects and enhances that story.

Tree – tree of life, family tree, trees, tree network, tree diagram, decision tree.

Stories can be non-fiction, fiction, or fiction inspired by true events. All genres and styles welcome. Multiple entries also welcome.

ENTRY FEE: AUD$15.00

WINNERS RECEIVE:

  • 1st Place: $100 + publication
  • 2nd Place: $50 + optional publication
  • Northern Beaches Commendation Award (for Northern Beaches residents only): $25 + optional publication
  • Shortlisted entrants: listed on our results page.

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS:  5pm (AEDT) 31 March 2022
FOR MORE COMPETITION DETAILS VISIT: www.northernbeacheswritersgroup.com

Tree Planting with Birdlife Australia

May 2021 – Adrienne Hunt reports on tree planting for Birdlife Australia

Birdlife Australia provides opportunities for the public to participate in birdlife conservation projects, such as planting trees for specific bird species: https://www.birdlife.org.au/

I joined in with tree planting for the endangered Regent Honeyeater (April 30th – May 2nd 2021), on a pleasant autumn day in the magnificent Capertee Valley (the world’s second-widest Canyon- between Lithgow and Mudgee), on a private pastoral property.  There was an enthusiastic collective of more than 140 people of all ages, including 28 young people, under the auspices of the Taronga Zoo – Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) program.  We set-to with digging implements, and made light work of the planting of tubestock into prepared shallow trenches, which was completed by the early afternoon of the 1st May, including the watering in.  

We planted more than 2500 baby trees of 30 different species that had been selected as the ideal habitat trees for the Regent Honeyeater, with the expert guidance of Dick Turner – Consultant Forester and bird life enthusiast. 

What at first glance had presented as a daunting and potentially back-breaking task, proved to be an enjoyable and rejuvenating minor workout in an outdoor setting. A positive, cooperative, contributing experience as a counterpoint to the extractive, negative and destructive thrusts of our governmental decision makers. 

Congratulations to Birdlife Australia and all who facilitated this endeavour.