A community effort to green the west
At Victoria University (VU) Werribee Campus, on the lands of the Boonwurrung, Woiwurrung, and Wadawurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, we welcomed our largest number of tree planters ever.
Funded and supported by the Victorian Government’s More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program, more than 400 volunteers joined across four sessions - planting 5,000 trees and connecting with one another.
Against a backdrop of 12,500 established native trees and shrubs planted in previous years’ events, VU student and proud Yankunytjatjara man Denzel James opened proceedings with an Acknowledgement of Country.
Denzel, an advocate for children's rights and climate justice, and 2025 South Australia Young Australian of the Year finalist, grew up in Oodnadatta far-north South Australia, seeing firsthand the harsh reality of drought and water scarcity.
Now living in Melbourne’s western suburbs and studying community development at VU, he’s committed to amplifying young voices and protecting the next generation from the escalating impacts of climate change.
Denzel said “living, learning and now advocating in the Kulin Nation has been a privilege, one of the most powerful things I have been involved in, representing First Nations communities around the country.”
He explained that for First Peoples, “trees hold cultural knowledge; provide food and medicine. They mark boundaries and carry songlines. Planting native trees is about healing – healing Country, culture and community.
For over 65,000 years Aboriginal people have been caring for this land. That knowledge has always been at the centre and forefront of our connection to Country, sustainability, and survival.”
VU’s Director for Strategic Engagement Lisa Calabria, VU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker and State Member for Werribee John Lister also shared short speeches and thanked volunteers.
From there - with expert guidance from the team at Woods Environmental Service – people of all ages and backgrounds dug in: VU staff and students, a large group of three- and four-year-olds from Werribee Children's Centre, local MPs Mathew Hilakari and Dylan Wight, Wyndham City Councillors, and community groups, including a seniors' groups from Club 60 Tarneit.
VU partners also showed up to make a difference, planting on behalf of their organisations: Footscray Community Arts, Lifeline, PEXA, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), Western Chances, Industry Capability Network, Greater Western Water, commUnity+, Mercy Health, Wyndham Health Foundation, headspace and Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.
In the buzz of happy chatting and tap-tap of stakes and tree guards going into the ground, with a closer listen you could also hear a chorus of frogs.
For Moondani Balluk Executive Director and proud Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman Karen Jackson, it was a sound of "healing and re-creating Country."
It's a really good sign. If the frogs are chirping, that means the environment is healthy.”
Between plantings, volunteers recharged with hot coffee and donuts, and in a matter of hours, thousands of trees were planted.
In the afternoon sessions, Year 6 school groups from Suzanne Cory High School and Stella Maris Catholic Primary School delivered a boost of energy and skill.
Before long, at 4.30pm, all 5,000 trees were in the ground.
Professor Shoemaker extended his thanks to all involved in making the event a success, “steadily transforming this open space into a thriving ‘forest park’ for generations and wildlife to enjoy for years to come.”
