Trees For Earth

GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL LAND REPAIR AND NATIONAL ARBORETUM CANBERRA DIG DEEP TO LAY FOUNDATION AND PLANT 68 PINK-GUARDED TREES TO REPRESENT MCGRATH BREAST CARE NURSES

McGrath Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder, Glenn McGrath, with Corporate Friend and Trees For Earth Founder, Matt Kilby.

Chairman and Co-Founder of the McGrath Foundation, Glenn McGrath was today joined by ACT Minister for Women, Joy Burch MLA, atthe National Arboretum Canberra for a special ceremony to plant the final two Australian Bunya pine trees in an area specially dedicated to the McGrath Foundation.

A total of 68 trees, each representing a funded McGrath Breast Care Nurse position, have been planted in the Arboretum donning Plant Pink hot pink tree guards. Collectively, the McGrath Breast Care Nurses have helped support more than 10,000 Australian families through a breast cancer experience in the past three years. Of the 68 McGrath Breast Care Nurses positions in Australia, 44 are funded thanks to a $12 million grant from the Federal Government in June 2008.

Chairman and Co-Founder of the McGrath Foundation, Glenn McGrath, believes the special event was a unique way to bring to life how the McGrath Foundation’s generous Corporate Friendships and ongoing support from the Federal Government will enable the Foundation to grow and support the next 10,000 Australian families.

“These pink-guarded McGrath Foundation trees make up our Foundation family tree, a visual representation of the role our McGrath Breast Care Nurses play in the community, and one we couldn’t be more proud of.

“Without the support of the Federal Government, our generous Corporate Friends and of course the Australian public, we couldn’t do what we do, so this is a fitting tribute to everyone who has contributed to our success in supporting Australian families through a breast cancer experience,” Mr McGrath said.

The ceremonial tree-planting is a testament to the friendship between the McGrath Foundation and Trees For Earth, makers of the tree guards, and also the Federal Government.

ACT Minister for Women, Joy Burch MLA, was happy to be on hand today to help plant the last Bunya pine tree in the McGrath Foundation plot.

“I’m proud to be here today to celebrate the work of the McGrath Foundation and their network of McGrath Breast Care Nurses. The work they do in the community is so important and we’re proud to be helping support Australian families, particularly those in rural and regional areas, by providing them access to this free service.”

Long-term Corporate Friend of the McGrath Foundation, Trees For Earth, has been working with the National Arboretum Canberra to rejuvenate the 250 hectare space through its 100 Forests, 100 Gardens project and presented a $7,500 cheque to the Foundation today to help fund additional McGrath Breast Care Nurses in the community.

Trees For Earth Founder, Matt Kilby, was pleased the friendship with the McGrath Foundation speaks to the wider Australian community.

“The majestic dome-shaped Bunya pine is the logo for Trees For Earth because the native Australian food tree symbolises the Australian spirit of perseverance and rejuvenation. Thanks to our friends at the McGrath Foundation and the National Arboretum Canberra, we’ve been able to come together and spread a message hope and resilience.”

ABOUT THE MCGRATH FOUNDATION
The McGrath Foundation was co-founded by Jane and Glenn McGrath after Jane’s initial recovery from breast cancer. The McGrath Foundation raises money to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia and to increase breast awareness in young women. To find out more about the McGrath Foundation and how you can make a difference, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.

ABOUT GLOBAL LAND REPAIR
To find out more about Trees For Earth, please visit www.treesforearth.com.au.