Painted trees bring festive cheer

A SEASONAL forest has grown at Miners Rest Community Park in a collaboration between the town’s committee, schools, and local groups.

About 30 wooden Christmas trees are dotted about the grounds which are the culmination of six weeks of work.

The idea was brought to the Committee for Miners Rest by member Amy Oellering, who said the aim of the trees is to foster community connection.

“My dad was an original member of the committee and he used to make Christmas trees, so I was thinking how about we get the community involved in this sort of thing,” she said.

“I wanted to bring something like this to the town. It’s about creating community engagement.”

The trees were put together by members of the Learmonth Community Skills Shed and then painted and decorated by local groups as well as students and teachers at the primary school, kindergarten, and childcare centre.

The initiative was supported with help from the local fire brigade, Community Hall committee, post office, and Miners Rest Tavern staff.

Five trees have also been installed in mystery locations in the town.

Committee member Jenny Sheriff said the project has made the local children feel closer to their community.

“I asked them do you feel more like part of the community now and they said yes,” she said. “That’s what it’s about. It was their opportunity to show they’re a valuable part of the community.”

Committee vice-president Mark Bruty said he looks forward to seeing the initiative develop next year and beyond.

“Ideally we’ll have a lot more trees next year and get a lot more groups involved, even individuals and families,” he said.

“We had an opening and a lot of families came after school. We’ve seen a lot of people come and take photos and have picnics around them. The community’s really embraced it.”