Warm Trees 2023 Launches, celebrating the vibrant colours, culture, and native plants of South Africa.
The Warm Trees displays are now known to bring beautiful pops of joyous colour to the forests and gardens of the National Arboretum each year and are enjoyed by many throughout the cool winter month of July.
This year's displays are in partnership with the South African High Commission and feature the vibrant colours and imagery of South Africa including; the colours of the South African flag, National flower the King Protea, animals, and many significant plants.
Now in it’s 9th year, this colourful display is generously brought to fruition through the hard work and creative endeavours of the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra along with many talented volunteers who have contributed their valuable time and artistic knowledge to designing, knitting, crocheting, creating, and installing these vibrant designs.
The 6th July 2023 Warm Trees launch started with Welcome to Country by Ngunnawal elder Serena Williams.
Scott Saddler AM Executive Branch Manager, National Arboretum Canberra and University of Canberra Stromlo Forest Park said “As a proud Wiradjuri man, I am so pleased that at the National Arboretum Canberra we are able to celebrate cultures from around the world and showcase them to all visitors.”
Mr Saddler welcomed ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA to formally open Warm Trees 2023.
“It’s a great privilege to launch this year’s Warm Trees event during NAIDOC week and I encourage all Canberrans to take a walk through the beautiful display of culture, trees and art,” said ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA.
Acting South African High Commissioner, Mr Leonard Khoza unveiled a special exhibition which celebrates aspects of South Africa’s culture and wildlife, and is now on display in the Village Centre, Mr Khoza stating “The colour, warmth and beautiful South African themed knitted scarfs makes this year’s Warm Trees display particularly special”.
Jan Morgan, warm trees convenor for 2023 extended her “...heartfelt thanks to Jocelyn Plovits, who initiated this project 10 years ago.”
She also mentioned her “...grateful thanks to the South African High Commission for agreeing to partner the Friends of the National Arboretum. I am also so pleased to be working with wonderful, creative, talented and enthusiastic volunteers from across the ACT and Australia who have contributed their time and skills to knit and crochet scarves, as well as designing, creating the display items, for this interesting project.
Not only does the Warm trees initiative provide a beautiful spectacle to the bare trees in their winter dormancy, but brings together people and communities to work towards a shared achievement. At the close of the installation, scarves are washed, made into warm rugs and donated to charities.
The National Arboretum would like to extend thanks to all involved for their continuing efforts to make the Warm Trees event possible and one that is looked forward to by many each year.
Warm Trees extends not only into the forests, but also adorns the main entry walls, and there are even mini scarves in the National Bonsai Collection! You can explore the 2023 Warm Trees displays in the following locations across the National Arboretum, Canberra throughout July.
- Dairy Farmers Hill
- Around the Village Centre, Amphitheatre and Events Terrace
- Bonsai and Penjing Collection
- Forest 11 Himalayan cedars 𝘊𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘢
- Forest 15 Grass tree 𝘟𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘢 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘤𝘢
- Forest 20 STEP
- Forest 28 Huilboerboon 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘢
- Forest 30 Camden white gum 𝘌𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘪
- Forest 44 Silver birch 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘢
