Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard will plant her tree in the Prime Ministers’ Corridor of Oaks in Faulconbridge on Thursday, July 27.
Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill said: “The oak trees have been planted by each prime minister or their closest living relative forming a living memorial to Sir Henry Parkes, known as the Father of Federation, and the federal prime ministers. It is a nationally recognised tradition.”
The first oak tree was planted on September 12, 1934 by the then Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons. The English Oak was chosen for its symbolic strength and long life span.
To date, 26 trees have been planted, with the last planting done by Kevin Rudd in October 2012.
"Julia Gillard is the 27th Prime Minister of Australia and the first woman to occupy the role. I believe her government will be remembered well by history. Much like the Whitlam Government, people will look back and see that more was achieved than we realised at the time. This holds for reforms in education, disability support and many other areas,” said the mayor.
Julia Gillard held the position of Prime Minister of Australia from June 24 2010 until June 27 2013.
"Julia Gillard faced incredible opposition, much based on a sexist view of the world”, said the mayor. “She confronted this with dignity and distinction."
Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, will join the mayor in welcoming the former prime minister, saying Ms Gillard's government led to a tangible physical legacy for the Mountains.
"It was under Julia’s prime ministership that funding for the Blue Mountains Theatre and Hub was delivered and while she was Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister all schools in the Mountains received halls or classroom upgrades or trade training facilities as part of Labor’s response to the global financial crisis. I’m pleased and proud to be part of the tree planting ceremony."
The Blue Mountains community is invited to attend the official tree planting in Jackson Park, Faulconbridge. The ceremony will be held from 11am–noon (arrive by 10:45am).
The ceremony is a family friendly event with plenty of informal standing room for general public. Limited seating will be made available for those with the greatest need. Residents are encouraged to catch the train, walk or carpool as there is minimal street and public parking available in the Corridor of Oaks precinct.
The Corridor of Oaks is a heritage conservation area of state and local cultural significance and is a rare example of commemorative planting in Australia dedicated to prime ministers. Of considerable significance to Faulconbridge and the local community the site is a popular spot for tourists and locals.