Mutual tree planting in Copenhagen and Hobart to honour Queen Mary’s accession

Through the planting of a ceremonial tree, the Danish ambassador and Hobart lord mayor honoured Queen Mary and shared their vision of climate change action.

Jack Macleod, Juliette Jaine, Harrison Blakesley, Josie Gul Grade 1 students from Sandy Bay Infants School where Queen Mary was once a student. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Danish ambassador has made her first visit to Tasmania to mark the one year anniversary of Queen Mary’s accession.

A ceremonial blue gum was planted in Hobart’s Long Beach Park on Tuesday, following the planting of an oak tree in Copenhagen by Lord Mayor Lars Weiss and the Queen overnight.

Addressing the crowd, which included minister Eric Abetz attending on behalf of Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the accession of Hobart-born Mary Donaldson to Queen Mary of Denmark demonstrated how “we can all reach across boundaries, whether geographical or ideological”.

Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark planted an oak tree today together with the Mayor of Copenhagen Lars Weiss in the Faelledparken in Copenhagen. Picture: Det Danske Kongehus

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and Danish Ambassador to Australia Ingrid Dahl-Madsen. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We are jointly bound through the Queen herself but also through our shared values,” she said, emphasising the “shared focus of sustainability and climate action”.

“The blue gum, the state’s floral emblem, will tower to 60 metres when fully grown and it will provide canopy and shade for generations to come.”

Ambassador Ingrid Dahl-Madsen said the tree was a “reminder of our shared responsibility to protect our planet”.

“As this tree grows, so does our collaboration in creating a sustainable future together,” she said.

“It will grow strong just as the ties between our two nations continue to flourish.”

In celebration of Hobart born Mary Donaldson's accession to Queen Mary of Denmark earlier this year both the City of Hobart and the City of Copenhagen will honour the historic moment while acknowledging a shared vision for more action on climate change and planting a tree. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Danish Ambassador to Australia Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, Minister Eric Abetz. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Addressing school students from Waimea Heights Primary School and Sandy Bay Infant Schools - both attended by Queen Mary - Ms Dahl-Madsen said she hoped the tree “reminds you of the strength and beauty of learning about each other from sharing cultures.”

“It symbolises friendship, hope, and joint action”.

Sandy Bay Infant School principal Michelle de Paoli said with sustainability one of the school’s core values, it was an important gesture.

“It was a beautiful celebration of connecting to place, the world,” she said.

“It was exciting for our children to see the legacy that Queen Mary has left our school - one about hope, connection and a love for Tasmania.”

Minister Eric Abetz, Danish Ambassador to Australia Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In celebration of Hobart born Mary Donaldson's accession to Queen Mary of Denmark earlier this year both the City of Hobart and the City of Copenhagen will honour the historic moment while acknowledging a shared vision for more action on climate change and planting a tree. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But year one student Josie saw another silver lining: “We got more sweets than our friends back at school!, she said, pointing to cupcakes iced with the flags of Copenhagen and Hobart.

Originally published as Mutual tree planting in Copenhagen and Hobart to honour Queen Mary’s accession