Kildare Ministries Tree Planting Day

On 19 August, Kildare Ministries held their first tree planting day at Saltbush Balnarring Beach.  Maree Feutrill, CEO of Saltbush, gave the students from Killester College Springvale and Star of the Sea College Brighton a beautiful introduction to Saltbush which outlined the Presentation Sisters’ long history of working for justice involved solidarity with the less fortunate. 

The girls were supported by their teachers,  Josie Delicetto (Killester) and Zara Lawlor (Star of the Sea), who are members of the Educating for Justice Network.  

Regeneration of the land is one of the ways that the Presentation sisters continue their ministry at Saltbush. The tree planting site is on a paddock that has been used by cattle farmers for many years, until 2024, when the Sisters decided to restore this site by planting native vegetation, which will also transform it into a much-needed wildlife corridor.  

Saltbush’s regeneration of this site is being managed by the Merricks-Coolart Landcare Group, whose expert guidance ensures successful results from tree planting days. Members generously gave their time, setting up and educating attendees how to increase the chance of a tree surviving from a typical 20% to over 80%. One important step was to install mini ‘rabbit-proof fences’ around each tree, to prevent damage from rabbits and other animals.  

The girls showed great independence, care and initiative in the way they put their commitments to look after the land into action. Their planting added 100 more trees to this site, bringing the total number planted this year to 5000. 

This action flows from Kildare Ministries’ commitment to integral ecology. We recognise that all living things on Earth are interconnected, as if we are all part of the one giant living organism. Understanding this interconnectedness comes the natural desire and responsibility to ensure we support not only our own health, but the health of earth. 

Thanks are due to all involved - from Saltbush, the schools and the Landcare Group, to making the day such a success, and to those who supported this valuable activity.  

Jane Collopy

Mission Leader