Schools Take Part in Queen’s Tree Planting Initiative
The British High Commission in Fiji together with students from six schools in Suva paid tribute to Her Majesty, through the Queen’s Green canopy tree planting initiative.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”
Other celebratory activities were also carried out in Fiji to mark Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee as the longest serving monarch.
British High Commission acting high commissioner Paul Welsh said the tree planting initiative was an opportunity for commonwealth countries such as Fiji to pay their respects to a remarkable lady.
“People sometimes forget what a great role model she has been for women,” he said.
“In terms of providing leadership to a country for 70 years, no man can better that.
“Her Majesty was the first female auto mechanic to join the British Army in 1941 as a princess.”
Mr Welsh also made a special mention of the six Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel that were part of the marching parade in Central London.
He said it was an important moment to include Fiji in the Queen’s celebration.
“I am very proud to see that Fiji were part of the marching parade,” he said.
“Across the commonwealth and non-commonwealth countries, they were lighting up the beacons around the world as part of the celebration.
“We also did one at the Grand Pacific Hotel on Thursday night
“It is tradition in the United Kingdom, going back hundreds of years that for any particular royal occasions, we light beacons.”
Six local trees were planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting initiative.
Ministry of Forestry executive director research and development Deborah Sue also shared the importance of planting trees.
“Trees give us many benefits including shade which is very important because the earth is heating up,” she said.
“They are the pump to our water source so when you dont have trees, you also loose your drinking water.”