Tree guardian: Jess, age 22

Describe the personality or look of your tree.

This beautiful Angophora floribunda (also known as the gum myrtle, Boondah, apple box, rusty gum, or rough-barked apple) towers beside a footpath frequented by humans - and dogs - of all walks of life! Lush swathes of foliage droop from the branches, brushing the shoulders of quick-footed pedestrians and providing shelter for all kinds of creatures. The afternoon sun sets the leaves and bark ablaze in a contrast of emerald and rust-red, punctuated by splashes of creamy-white blossom in spring. 

Why is this tree important to you?

The flowers of this tree provide nectar for my favourite animal, the Grey-Headed Flying Fox. I love seeing the branches bow under the weight of enthusiastic fruit bats and possums at night, and birds such as rainbow and musk lorikeets, red wattlebirds, and noisy miners during the day. I’ve heard the local Tawny Frogmouth’s thrumming call from its canopy, and found many interesting invertebrates scuttling among the nooks in its bark, and have even taken the occasional cutting of foliage to offer to the squirrel glider in my care. This tree has also provided refuge from the rain and hail and scorching sun for me, my dog, and our friends during walks to and from university, the permaculture farm, or just around the neighbourhood over the past year.

What does a sustainable future look like in Monash?

A sustainable future in Monash looks like recognition of the culture and unceded stolen lands of the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri peoples, improved physical and socio-economic accessibility, increased urban biodiversity, and more green and blue infrastructure, transport, and technologies. A sustainable future will be driven by both grassroots and top-down efforts, with voice and autonomy given to people who are Indigenous, bla(c)k, POC, migrants, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, disabled, religious, and more, helping ensure that all people are represented and respected. A sustainable future in Monash is multicultural, accessible, and green!

What are you doing right now to create that future?

I have just completed by Bachelor of Science and Arts at Monash University, with majors in Ecology and Conservation Biology and Human Geography and minors in Earth (Climate) Science and various cultural studies. I have been working as a Native Wildlife Zookeeper and Presenter / Public Educator for almost three years and have volunteered with various groups in Australia and abroad such as the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, Migrant Information Centre, Monash Biological Society, Warriors4Wildlife, GetUp!, Wildlife SOS India, and more. I also rescue food from landfill and re-distribute it, with the aim of reducing food insecurity and the environmental impact of food waste. I’m looking forward to carrying the skills and knowledge I’ve learned through my education, work, and volunteering into the future to help promote environmental and socioeconomic justice.

Where is your tree located?

On Normanby Road in Notting Hill / Clayton 3168, on the edge of a small grassy incline between the apartments and just before the entry to the carpark of Notting Hill Self Storage. The approximate Google Maps coordinates are: -37.906902, 145.143293.