Mr Julian Leeser MP, the Federal member for Berowra, and Mr Philip Ruddock, the Hornsby Shire Mayor, have taken part in the launch of a special citrus orchard at Pacific Hills Christian School which commemorates the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
The rows of orange, lemon and lime trees were made possible by a grant from the Federal Government’s ‘Trees For The Queen’s Jubilee’ program. The Platinum Jubilee grant commemorated 70 years of public service by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Mr Leeser said he hoped that her life would be remembered when people come to view the growing orchard.
Shire Councillor Warren Waddell provided a local history lesson explaining that this part of Sydney was renowned for its orchards in the colonial years. His family emigrated to this region in the mid-1800’s and has been involved in fruit growing for five generations. Warren and Ken Waddell helped with the planning of the orchard and provided invaluable advice on how to prepare the soil for optimum growth.
Dr Ted Boyce, the Principal of Pacific Hills, noted that the School is located on a site which was once used for a fruit orchard.
The Queen’s Jubilee orchard is part of the School’s agriculture precinct. Students will tend to the trees and eventually harvest them and the fruit will be used in Food Technology classes. It is a fitting tribute to a well-loved figure who demonstrated a lifetime of servanthood to our nation.
