Tree guardian: Eadie, age 13

Describe the personality or look of your tree.

My tree is a huge, spectacular gum tree: bark ranging from deep amber to bone white, twisting into colourful branches with healthy green leaves, with a hollow on either side. The tree is quiet and calm, striking against the flat golfing green. Sap and spiderwebs adorn its rough trunk and when you look at the tree, you see a sort of ancient, otherworldy beauty that’s only found in nature.

 Why is this tree important to you?

This tree means so much to me because it’s home to a very special creature, a possum who I’ve called Tess. She has a little joey named Gumnut, after the beautiful tree they call home. The possums are very shy, but if you visit enough and are nice to them, they’ll stick their heads out and say hi. I don’t like golf at all, but the beautiful tree and my furry friends make walks down to the course super rewarding.

 What does a sustainable future look like in Monash?

A sustainable future in Monash means that flora and fauna is safe and protected, especially creatures like Tess and her tree. In terms of humans, we could look to completely converting to 100% green energy, and create many, many more green spaces. When people are building things, they should maintain the trees for wildlife habitat.

 What are you doing right now to create that future?

Right now, I’m trying to minimise my plastic usage and water waste. I’m also using the green waste bin, and I never, ever litter.

 Where is your tree located?

My tree’s located on the eastern corner of the Oakleigh golf course, right near the sign and by the creek, at the edge of the (according to my dad) 6th tee. We can’t find it exactly but we THINK that the Australian map coordinates are 333491 mE 5804426 mN.