Gippsland schools have joined a statewide effort to honour the Anzac legacy through the “100 Lone Pines Project” as The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien visited classrooms last week to personally deliver commemorative seedlings.
The 100 Lone Pines Project, led by Dr John Basarin OAM from the Friends of Gallipoli organisation, aims to see 100 descendant pines planted across Victoria. The initiative commemorates the enduring Anzac spirit and reflects the shared history between Australia and Türkiye.
Mr O’Brien said the project traces its origins to a single pine tree that survived the fierce fighting at Plateau 400 in Gallipoli in 1915.
“An Australian soldier, Sergeant Keith McDowell, collected a cone from that lone tree and brought it home,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Seedlings grown from that cone became the basis for later generations of commemorative pines, including those I delivered to Gippsland Grammar’s St Anne’s campus, Cobains Primary and Loch Sport Primary recently.”
Mr O’Brien said he was proud to see local students taking part in such a meaningful project.
“Planting these pines gives our young people a tangible connection to the stories of Gallipoli and to the sacrifices made by local servicemen.
“It is wonderful that students will not only nurture these trees but also learn and share the stories of Gippsland Diggers who served at Gallipoli.
“Our region has a proud military heritage and I’m delighted that these schools are helping to keep that history alive for future generations.”