MOTTWeb | Home Page | A History of MOTT |

MOTT in New South Wales

Spurred on by his inspiration on that trip and subsequent visits in 1981 and 1982, and supported by the United Nations Association, MOTT-UK and MOTT-WA (the first Australian branch, founded in1979), the NSW Branch soon became well established. Its headquarters is in Sydney, but sub-branches have been formed in Bega and Mudgee.

MOTT-NSW propagates its own stock in its nursery at Cattai and has supplied and/or planted trees at many school, local council and community afforestation projects. Information stalls are mounted at street fairs and the Branch Committee endorses apolitical policies in response to issues concerning trees in our environment. Members work closely with the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Greening Australia Tree Committees, TreesOnFarms and many other arboreta or research projects to improve awareness of environmental issues, specifically to promote the benefits of trees.

In 1982 MOTT joined with the United Nations Association of Australia to launch the NSW campaign for the Decade of the Tree.

Volunteers visit schools to show films and hold discussions with children on the value of trees and the activities necessary to ensure their planting and survival.

The society also sponsors and awards the Richard St Barbe Baker Memorial Trophy for the Highest Pass in Arboriculture in the Horticulture course of the Ryde College of TAFE.

The society possesses a number of books, films and videos, all on subjects related to the society's aims or history and all of which are available for members to borrow. A newsletter is published several times a year to record branch activities and to keep members informed about tree planting, both here and abroad.

General meetings are held several times a year, usually with a guest speaker or special activity.

On 28 May 1989, MOTT-NSW planted a memorial grove at the recently opened Mount Annan Botanic Garden south of Sydney as part of its celebration of the 100th Anniversary of St Barbe Baker's birth.

The current President of MOTT-NSW is Diana Kureen.