Society plants a legacy at new showgrounds

IN remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and commemoration of her platinum jubilee earlier this year the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society has begun a tree planting project.

Executive officer Keli MacRae said the organisation received a Federal Government grant worth $17,000 under the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee Program, to acknowledge the monarchs 70 years of service.

“We’re going to plant trees that are special and will work in our environment, to transform the Mount Rowan showgrounds site into a parkland setting,” she said.

“We want to make a really beautiful showgrounds, and to create a community space that people enjoy being in and want to come back to.

“This is a way for us to enhance the tree canopy as well, so there’s an environmental aspect, alongside the recognition of the Queen’s service.

“We hope our new showgrounds are still standing strong in 70 years, benefiting the community, like the Queen did.”

Ms MacRae said the society planted their first tree last week, an oak, which was a favourite of the Queen, and the trees they plant in the future will be diverse and include natives like spotted gums.

Member for Ballarat and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, was part of the planting of the first oak, alongside BAPS president Rick Smith and City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson.

“Catherine was there on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture,” Ms MacRae said.

“She’s had a lot to do with our organisation and the site over the years, including working with Federation University on the build of the indoor equestrian centre.

“We really appreciated the synergy there.”

In 2023, society members are planning to hold a community tree planting event and will invite locals to take part in the working bee.

“The society has been around for more than 160 years, and we hope Mount Rowan will be our home for at least another 160,” Ms MacRae said.