Media Release Friends of Sherwood Arboretum  (The Local Bulletin March 2015)

A verdant fun run!

What does a group of keen young runners and an historic avenue of 90-year-old Kauri trees have in common?

They are all very much part of the fun of celebrating the 90^th anniversary of one of Brisbane’s much-loved green spaces, the heritage-listed Sherwood Arboretum at Jolimont Street.

The ‘fun run’, for 12 years and under, down this historic avenue at 8.30am on Saturday 21 March, will happen 90 years to the day when 72 prominent citizens planted the Kauris in 1925 to establish Brisbane’s first Arboretum for Australian native trees.

To enter, all you need do is send a brief email, with the subject heading ‘fun run’, to the Friends of Sherwood Arboretum Association (FOSA) at info@sherwoodarboretum.com.au or call 3278 6525.

Parents will be most welcome to join their young family members for the ‘fun run’, which will be followed by the planting of a 90^th anniversary grove by several pioneering families and guests, including the Oxley-Chelmer History Group.

Sherwood Forest Runners, which has organised events in the Arboretum each Saturday for more than 30 years, will be offering their expertise for this special anniversary ‘fun run’.

The Lord Mayor, Cr Graham Quirk will present the ‘fun run’ and ‘lucky door’ prizes, following a brief ceremony starting at 9am.

Cr Matthew Bourke, Council’s Chairman for Environment, Parks and Sustainability (pictured at right with fun runners) and Mr Ross McKinnon, the recently retired Curator of Brisbane Botanic Gardens, will join the Lord Mayor for the planting of a Queensland Kauri tree as part of Council’s restoration of this avenue.

FOSA is inviting all guests to enjoy a family barbecue on the lawns overlooking the avenue at 9.30am.

In 1925, Sherwood Arboretum was a pacesetter in Australia by its focus on Australian native trees at a time when botanic gardens and arboreta placed great emphasis on planting exotic tree species from across the world.