Great Family Day Out- Kids Under 15 FREE * with Paying Adult
OUT & ABOUT
The trees that please
by Greg Martin
are all of these!
The treasures at the end of any rainbow are trees.
Back in 1969, singer Edwin Starr asked the question,“ War, what is it good for?” His answer was simple –“ Absolutely nothing.”
But what about trees? What are they good for?
The answer is almost everything.
Trees are essential to life on Earth. They clean our air, provide shelter for wildlife, help prevent flooding, stabilise soil, supply food and medicines, and play a critical role in combating climate change. In our busy lives, it is easy to overlook their importance, but trees truly are among nature’ s greatest gifts.
To celebrate National Tree Day 2026, a special exhibition titled Trees: Nature’ s Canopy will be held at the Stan Stevens Studio, Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street, Windsor, on July 25 and 26.
The exhibition will showcase the work of local artists inspired by the beauty, significance and majesty of trees.
Opening hours are Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Light refreshments will be available on Saturday morning. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
The following information has been kindly provided by Margaret Ginnings, Secretary of the Friends of the Hawkesbury Art Community and Hawkesbury Regional Gallery.
Trees are perennial plants with a trunk or elongated stem supporting branches and leaves. They play a vital role in moderating the climate by absorbing greenhouse gases and pollutants while intercepting rainfall, helping to reduce the risk of flooding.
They provide shade and shelter for birds, insects and animals, support undergrowth and fungi, produce fruit for food, and supply timber for construction, heating and cooking. Wood is also used to make paper and cardboard.
Scientists estimate there are approximately 3.04 trillion trees on Earth, representing around 25 per cent of all living species. The greatest diversity of tree species occurs in tropical regions, with an estimated 64,000 known species worldwide.
However, while approximately 15 billion trees are cut down each year, only around five billion are replanted.
Throughout history, trees have been revered for their longevity, usefulness and beauty. Sacred groves feature in many cultures, while trees play important roles in mythology, religion and folklore around the world.
Australia is home to some remarkable species. The ancient Wollemi Pine,
discovered in New South Wales in 1994, dates back to the time of the dinosaurs and is considered one of the world’ s oldest and rarest plants.
Even rarer is the Mongarlowe Mallee, often referred to as the“ Ice Age Gum”. Since its discovery in 1985, only six trees have been found across four locations.
Eucalypts are among Australia’ s most important tree species and account for approximately three-quarters of the nation’ s forests. They belong to the myrtaceae family, which also includes bottlebrushes, paperbarks, lilly pillies and guavas. Of the 600 to 700 eucalyptus species, most are found only in Australia.
Trees also play a vital role in medicine. More than 120 modern drugs originate from plant sources, many of them derived from tree bark. Quinine comes from the cinchona tree, aspirin traces its origins to willow bark, and the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel is sourced from the Pacific yew.
Many everyday spices also come from trees. Cinnamon is harvested from tree bark, while nutmeg, cloves and allspice are tree-derived products enjoyed worldwide.
The bark of cork oak trees produces cork, with Portugal supplying more than half the world’ s production. Tree bark has also been used for centuries in leather tanning because of its tannin content.
Beyond their practical uses, trees have inspired countless artists throughout history. From ancient traditions such as the Japanese art of bonsai to paintings, sculptures and photography, trees continue to captivate our imagination with their beauty and resilience.
The upcoming Trees: Nature’ s Canopy exhibition celebrates that enduring connection between people, nature and creativity. It is an opportunity to appreciate not only the beauty of trees but also the essential role they play in sustaining life on our planet.
After all, the trees that please really are all of these.
Sunday
2nd August
Australia’ s Largest
HOLDEN DISPLAY DAY
Hawkesbury Showground- Racecourse Rd, Clarendon( Opposite RAAF Base, Richmond) 100’ s of Holdens on Display
- Rare, Classic, Original, Restored, Resto Mods, Mild & Wild Customs-
DISPLAYS
• Automotive Trade Stalls
• 100’ s Swap Meet Stalls
• SES & RFS Display
Great Family Day Out- Kids Under 15 FREE * with Paying Adult
$ 10
ADULTS
Kids Under 15 Years FREE with paying adult
KIDS ENTERTAINMENT
• FREE- Rock Climbing
• FREE- Face Painting
• FREE- Jumping Castle
www. allholdenday. com. au( All proceeds raised support local community & charity services)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3
Penrith Showground
STATION STREET PENRITH
• Pipe Bands
• Band Quintet Competition
• Amusement Rides
• Highland Strongman
• Highland Dancers
• Hot Rods
• Dog Shows
KIDS UNDER 5 FREE
GATES OPEN 8AM & CLOSE AT 5PM
• Reenactment Village( Viking Ship)
• Jousting / Sword Fighting
• Medieval Martial Arts
• Community Stalls
• Food & Drink Vendors
• Plus Much More!
NO GLASS OR ALCOHOL TO BE BROUGHT IN
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
$ 15PP
PLUS 88 CENTS FEES. TOTAL $ 15.88PP
SCAN QR TO PURCHASE
And Much Much More...
• Live Band
• Food & Drink Stalls
• ATM on Site
BRING CHAIRS & RUGS
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 133 // JULY 2026 25