Vote now for majestic Monterey

By Matt Romania

Which tree truly captures the spirit of Victoria? The answer to that is subjective, but for many in the Blackwood community, the standout is the magnificent Monterey Pine.

Standing at a staggering height of over 50 metres, this enormous pine has stood at Blackwood Recreation Reserve in the Moorabool Shire for over 100 years.

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) unveiled the nine finalist trees, including Blackwood, competing for the esteemed title of 2023 Victorian Tree of the Year.

From Toorak to Port Fairy and Altona to Echuca, the trees vying for the title are as diverse as they are majestic.

Simon Ambrose, CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), emphasised the significance of this competition.

“It’s more than just about recognising a tree,” said Simon. “The Victorian Tree of the Year is a fantastic opportunity for us to appreciate the natural wonders that surround us”

“These trees provide their local communities with serenity and respite and represent the diverse and awe-inspiring beauty of Victoria’s natural environment.”

Ray Castellin, a long-time Blackwood resident and member of the Historical Society, passionately advocates for the Monterey Pine.

“I encourage all Moorabool Shire residents to vote for Blackwood’s Majestic Monterey pine,” he said.

“If you haven’t wandered down to our recreation reserve and been close to the tree, do yourself a favour. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Anyone who has been in the midst of this behemoth won’t soon forget it,” Mr Castellin told The Moorabool News.

A true lover of the pine’s history, Mr Castellin added it is about time “this wonder of nature received the recognition it truly deserves.”

“Clearly it is the greater part of Blackwood’s history, with a bird’s eye view of all the Easter carnivals, cricket games, and football matches.”

Finally, acknowledging the role of the media in highlighting the competition, Mr Castellin wanted to especially thank The Moorabool News and correspondent Matt Romania for “bringing this competition to our consciousness.”

“Excellent journalism creates a story for others to embellish,” he said.

The call to action for all Victorians is to view the finalists and cast their votes at nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear by Sunday 29 October 2023. The 2023 Victorian Tree of the Year will be unveiled on 31 October.