Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand and His Excellency Sir David Gascoigne KNZM, CBE were warmly Welcomed to Country by Ngunnawal elder, Aunty Violet Sheridan. The sounds of the didgeridoo were enjoyed by all, played by Yidinji Elder Greg Joseph.
Due to inclement weather, the Governor General symbolically planted a Podocarpus totara inside the Village Centre and spoke of the trees significance to the Maori people. The totara is a tall tree, its strong and flexible wood is traditionally used to make massive sea going canoes and is highly regarded by wood carvers.
Mr Brendan Smyth, Commissioner for International Engagement spoke of the bond, connection and friendship between New Zealand and Australia that was reaffirmed with this tree planting.
Watch the totara grow along the zig zag path in the Central Valley or enjoy a longer walk along the Explorer Track to Forest 64 to see joint forest of the Podocarpus totara and Sophora microphylla, both species are native to New Zealand.
