Leading the way to help save the environment

The Children's Hospital at Westmead has pledged its support for National Tree Day to be held around Australia on Sunday 29 July. The aim of this community initiative is to plant one million native trees in one day to rejuvenate degraded environments and reduce the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

National Tree Day is the result of a ground breaking partnership between environmental organisation Planet Ark and motor manufacturer Toyota, and relies on the support of thousands of volunteers.

Last year, National Tree Day attracted more volunteers that the Sydney Olympics and resulted in the planting of more than 400,000 trees. This year, organisers plan to double those efforts.

The success of National Tree Day hinges on the support of a wide range of celebrities who are committed to the project. They include Pierce Brosnan (007), Jimmy Barnes, Olivia Newton John, Jamie Durie, Pat Cash, Mimi MacPherson, Lee Kernaghan and Kerri-Anne Kennerley.

Community groups, schools and hospitals have also pledged support for this year's event, with The Children's Hospital at Westmead leading the way. Believing that children need to grow in a healthy environment, Professor Kim Oates, the Hospital's Chief Executive Officer, shows his support for National Tree Day with one of his young patients, Amy Mills.

Individuals and groups can organise their own sites for planting trees or take part in planting at designated sites on 29 July. For details, contact Conservation Volunteers on 1800 303 232, or visit www.planetark.org/trees/ or go to the National Tree Day link on the Toyota website www.toyota.com.au.

To help make it easy, a 16 page "Oh What A Feeling It's Tree Day" step-by-step guide has also been produced.

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Julie Stromborg
Public Relations Officer
Ph: (02) 9845 3580
Fax: (02) 9845 3567
Pager: (02) 9845 0000 and quote page no. 6920