Tree guardian: Tanna, age 20
Describe the personality or look of your tree.
Standing below this beautiful Eucalyptus, staring up through its branches to the sky, one would be tempted to feel small and insignificant beside it. But, when you look in front of you to its lowest branch, you begin to realise that this tree meets you halfway. The breeze glides through its leaves and branches, leaving echoes of the experiences and wisdom that this tree has collected from every day in its past and for every day in its future. It holds the memories of every raindrop, every sunray, every bird, every climber, every child playing at the park, and every runner on the hill. This tree lifts you but also grounds you. It is grand and, as it stands, is filled with the memories of every person before and after us.
Why is this tree important to you?
I discovered this tree when reflecting one day. I felt lost and confused, and needed to go somewhere to process and collect my thoughts. When I stumbled across this tree, I noticed a branch that was perfectly matched for me. I lifted myself up onto that first branch and kept climbing. I climbed about halfway up and just sat. There, I thought about everything. High up in the winds, where I could hear the birds chirping and the cars on the road, but where I also felt unseen and unheard, like one would behind a one-way mirror. It has now become a ritual for me to visit this tree every time I need to organise my thoughts and feelings, and be lifted up away from the burdens that I feel on the ground.
What does a sustainable future look like in Monash?
In the future, I hope to see Monash become sustainable through the acceptance and recognition of the importance that the environment has on our social wellbeing. I hope to see people understand that their connection to this Earth exists beyond the present, and that their way of living is affected by the past and influences the future. I hope to see Monash support its residents and frequenters to embrace local flora and fauna, to develop more authentic community green spaces, and to encourage greener living (e.g. water efficiency, renewable energy, appropriate waste disposal). I hope to see Monash openly and actively responding to our concerns about the Climate Crisis.
What are you doing right now to create that future?
Right now, I understand how overwhelming everything can feel and I recognise that, whilst I can’t do everything perfectly, I can do many little things imperfectly. Known as the “Bin Lady” in my household, I take pride in composting and recycling of our waste ethically, making sure to dispose of soft plastics and clothing properly, and sorting through our bins every week before wheeling them off to the nature strip. I am also learning to become a better gardener and, despite my apparent lack of a green thumb, I try to do my best to preserve my garden and give something back to the bees, birds, and bats. Every day, I am trying out and adopting new ways of becoming greener, and sharing my experiences with others so that we can work towards eco-friendly lifestyles together.
Where is your tree located?
Coming soon