A total of six Pencil Pines or Mediterranean Pines (Cupressus sempervirens) were planted during a special memorial service, on Arbor Day Friday 27th June 1947.
Four trees were planted in memory of old scholars who lost their lives in the war, and two planted in honour of airmen who gained decorations.
The image was located in one of several ‘decades’ history folios, compiled as part of the school’s centenary celebrations (1916 – 2016).
ARBOR DAY OBSERVED BY SCHOOLS
Most of Launceston’s primary schools celebrated Arbor Day yesterday by planting trees in school grounds during the morning and observing a half-holiday in the afternoon.
A MEMORIAL service was held at the Trevallyn school instead of the usual Arbor Day celebrations. Four trees were planted in memory of old scholars who lost their lives in the war, and two planted in honour of airmen who gained decorations.
The trees were planted by relatives before a large gathering of pupils, friends and relatives.
Trees planted in memory of those who lost their lives were for F./O. James Beck, D.S.O., planted by his father; L./Sergt. Thomas Wilson, planted by his sister; F./S. Neil Bain, planted by his father; F./O. Edgar Smith, planted by his father. Trees in honour of F./O- William Gourlay. D.F.C., by his wife, and F./O. Robert Gee by his father.
The service was conducted by the acting headmaster (Mr. W. D. Parsons), who also gained the D.F.C. during the war.
At the West Launceston school the pupils were given special lessons stressing the value of trees to mankind. During the morning the school assembled in the yard while six trees were planted.
Twenty-six pupils of the East Launceston school participated in the planting of trees and shrubs in the school grounds. Special lessons and poems were read.
At Mowbray Heights school the headmaster (Mr. C. P. Ede) gave the assembled school a talk on the Cootamundra (wattle tree). He explained how it obtained its common name of wattle. A Cootamundra tree was later planted in the school grounds.
Arbor Day was also celebrated at Charles St. and Glen Dhu schools.
All schools which participated in the celebrations were given a half-day holiday.
Examiner (Launceston, Tas.: 1900 – 1954), Saturday 28 June 1947, page 4
The three surviving Cupressus, make an impressive landscape statement, one for which the school community can be justly proud.
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