26 February 2016
A band of 40 enthusiastic volunteers successfully relocated over 500 plants and mature trees today to local schools and community gardens from the Washington Park residential project site in North Riverwood.
The trees and plants were donated by development and investment company, PAYCE from around its display and sales centre which is to be demolished shortly to allow construction of the final stage of the project, comprising a mix of social and private apartments, as well as a new Riverwood Community Library and Senior Citizens’ Centre.
The volunteers from Riverwood Public School and Hannans Road Public School, local residents and PAYCE staff rolled up their sleeves and spent the day helping to carefully prepare the plants for transportation, then re-planting them in their new locations under the guidance of a professional landscaper.
Free refreshments and lunch were provided to the volunteers by the Kickstart Café, a social enterprise sponsored by PAYCE to provide local youths with on-the-job experience and training in hospitality.
PAYCE’s General Manager, Dominic Sullivan said the trees included six mature magnolias worth in excess of $1000 each and American sweetgums, also known as liquidambars.
“Among the hundreds of plants are beautiful specimens of large periwinkle, flax, Indian hawthorn, gardenias, native lilac and golden duranta,” he said.
“Both schools received around 200 plants and some trees, with the balance donated to the Riverwood community garden and the raised gardens on the podium between the two social housing blocks on site,” Mr Sullivan said.
Riverwood Public School principal, Rob Borg said the plants would help beautify the school grounds.
“The new plantings at the front of the school, in particular, will be a valuable asset and enhance the main entrance to the school,” he said.
Hannans Road Public School’s principal, Dan Sprange also thanked PAYCE and the band of volunteers for their time and hard work.
“The school community was very excited to receive such a wonderful selection of trees and plants as they have made a huge difference to the appearance of the grounds,” Mr Sprange said.
Ends
Media contact: Bill Smith 0412 446 058
