CEMETERY TO RECEIVE ROYAL TREATMENT

Architecturally-designed statement trees will frame Kandanga Cemetery to mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien congratulated Kandanga Cemetery Association on achieving a $20,000 grant to recognise the Queen’s 70 years of service to Australia while creating places of reflection across the 2.2ha site for family and community members under three-metre-high specially-curated trees.  

“The Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee program, an initiative of the former Morrison-Joyce Coalition Government, puts up to $15.1 million on the table to community-based tree plantings,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This planting at Kandanga Cemetery will be about 16,423 km from the first Jubilee tree planted on the grounds of Windsor Castle in March to mark the launch of the Queen’s Green Canopy in the United Kingdom.”

Mr O’Brien said the program would create a legacy of tree planting nationwide, increasing the canopy while celebrating Her Majesty’s Jubilee.

“It will create a legacy of tree plantings at Kandanga Cemetery and honour the memory of The Queen and her 70 years of service to Australia and the Commonwealth,” he said.

The works, which will fund an excavator to plant large trees, follow the Gympie Regional Council’s approval of the architectural design of the gardens.

Kandanga Cemetery Association secretary Julie Worth said large trees, designed to frame the cemetery, will shade and create distinctive areas for rest, honour and reflection. 

“The Kandanga Cemetery grounds was an open canvas two years ago with no plants in the Cemetery Grounds,” Ms Worth said. 

“Careful selection of trees appropriate for a cemetery was required to plant shade trees and avoid invasive root systems, while an architect has designed the garden to leave a lasting impression.”

“The next stage of the garden will be to place seating under the large trees to create areas of privacy and quiet reflection.” 

Plantings and celebrations will involve community groups across Kandanga and surrounding communities. 

ENDS