On September 15, we celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee with a ceremonial planting of the tree, music performances by our students, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and an address highlighting the significance of her Majesty’s reign.
About the event
Over one-thousand students, staff of Suncoast Christian College and Suncoast Church and special guest Ted O’Brien, MP – Federal Member for Fairfax, celebrated the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II and our new King Charles III.
At the event, the College celebrated planting a mature Moreton Bay Fig tree (Ficus macrophylla), purchased with a generous $5000 grant from the Planting Trees for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Program, sponsored by the Australian Government.
Mr Greg Mattiske, Suncoast Christian College Principal, comments: “The date for the Ceremony has been set for some time but will be all the more poignant due to Queen Elizabeth II’s sudden death last Friday. With her passing, we will pay tribute to her historic reign and devotion to duty, family, faith and service.”
About the Tree
The (Moreton Bay Fig) is on the hill that overlooks our buildings and green spaces, creating shade and, with its spreading branches, inviting students and staff to enjoy the outdoors. We also see this as a fitting tribute for the Queen’s jubilee – Moreton Bay Figs become the crown in the tree canopy and create visual majesty with their strength, longevity, and beauty.
Event organiser, Mrs Lyndall Waters, Suncoast Christian College Director of Studies, reflects on the event’s significance: “Moreton Bay Figs grow into giant trees of magnificence and steadfast beauty, becoming the crown in the tree canopy. This is such a fitting tribute for Her Majesty.”
Throughout the project, Suncoast students learnt about the significance of both the Queen’s Jubilee and the importance of tree planting for the native environment, and Primary and Secondary classes studied the historical and environmental significance of the tree and the legacy it represents.
Mrs Lyndall Waters comments: “Our College campus was once a pineapple farm and thus cleared of mature native trees. This project sees the return of a giant specimen tree native to our area, creating a visual focal point. Trees of this nature are now rare in urban spaces, and we want to amend this loss on our campus.”
Mr Ted O’Brien, Federal Member for Fairfax and Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, was our special guest, who commented: “A fitting tribute to Her Majesty. Thank you, Suncoast Christian College, for organising this terrific event.“
7 News Media Coverage
View the Sunshine Coast 7 News coverage of the event
Palace Invitation
Mrs Lyndall Waters, with the personalised invitation sent to their Royal Highnesses, The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge. Sadly the Duke and Duchess were unable to attend.
