Three explorers descendents Chris Blaxland, Annette Sheather (a Lawson) and Darcy Wentworth holding potted Everlasting Daisy native plants at the 'name the plant' primary school competition launch held at Leura Public School on February 8. Accompanying them are (from left to right) the school's principal Deborah Getley, Aunty Carol Cooper, Bill Sheather, Ward 1 Clr Michael Begg, competition co-ordinator Warren Boorman and Blue Mountains Mayor Daniel Myles.
Great prizes are on offer in a primary school competition to name a native perennial plant bred specially to celebrate the bicentenary of the crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth.
The Blue Mountains Zone Garden Clubs and the Blue Mountains Gazette is running the competition for local primary schools students who are given the honour of coming up with a name for the Everlasting Daisy that directly relates to the crossings bicentenary theme.
Entrants will also colour-in an image of the dark green plant with yellow flowers.
The competition was launched at a special assembly at Leura Public School on February 8 where project gardens club chairman Warren Boorman and Blue Mountains Mayor Daniel Myles presented Everlasting Daisy pot plants to descendents of the three explorers, Darcy Wentworth, Chris Blaxland and Annette Shearer.
Darug and Gundungurra elder Aunty Carol Cooper conducted a warm Welcome to Country and the Leura Public School choir performed a bicentenary-themed song.
The plants are being grown by north coast native plant breeder Angus Stewart and separate legs of the competition will be run in the Lithgow/Oberon and Hawkesbury districts.
Winners will receive an unlimited family pass for one day (for two adults and up to five children under 14) to Scenic World plus one of the native plants.
Four native plants will also be given to each winner’s school once the full supply of plants is available in spring.
Entry forms are available from Blue Mountains primary schools, entries close on March 18 and winners will be announced in April.