ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY
Legerwood MEMORIAL PARK, tasmania
The tiny little town of Legerwood, Tasmania has taken sustainable action to preserve its contribution to Australian history. In honour of locals who were killed in World War One nine trees were ceremoniously planted on 15 October, 1918. As the names of the fallen
were called, a relative, or the closest person to one, came forward to hold the tree until it was planted. The trees were considered unsafe and due for removal in 2001 but the community had other ideas. They were saved as large branching stumps and Eddie Freeman, a State-renowned chainsaw artist has since carved figures into each one. Each of the figures has a story.
The trees are on a community reserve which the Legerwood Hall and Reserve Committee has reclaimed. They turned a disused train station into a tourist attraction. Buildings were repaired and repainted, grounds were cleaned up and the stories preserved. A second hand railway carriage was purchased and renovated into a museum and souvenir space. Committee members volunteer time to maintain the grounds, and more recent community tree plantings nearby commemorate other locals since passed.
were called, a relative, or the closest person to one, came forward to hold the tree until it was planted. The trees were considered unsafe and due for removal in 2001 but the community had other ideas. They were saved as large branching stumps and Eddie Freeman, a State-renowned chainsaw artist has since carved figures into each one. Each of the figures has a story.
The trees are on a community reserve which the Legerwood Hall and Reserve Committee has reclaimed. They turned a disused train station into a tourist attraction. Buildings were repaired and repainted, grounds were cleaned up and the stories preserved. A second hand railway carriage was purchased and renovated into a museum and souvenir space. Committee members volunteer time to maintain the grounds, and more recent community tree plantings nearby commemorate other locals since passed.