by Carla Caruso

A project, revolving around intergenerational bushcare sessions and nature walks, is celebrating another year.

Trees For Life SA launched its 2023 program of Regenerate in the Adelaide Park Lands at Carriageway Park / Tuthangga (Park 17) on July 19.

The Regenerate project, which has run since about 2016, is designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of its participants and assist local biodiversity.

Trees For Life was among four community groups to receive funding in June as part of the City of Adelaide’s Community Impact Grants Strategic Partnerships Program, with each organisation receiving between $25,000 and $50,000.

The funding means Trees For Life can continue to deliver its valuable project for the next three years.

*Gearing up for the official launch of the 2023 Regenerate program. Photo: Carla Caruso.*

*A sign at the site. Photo: Carla Caruso.*

City residents, aged 55+, and international students are encouraged to take part in the Regenerate project, along with anyone “feeling lonely or isolated”.

The 2023 launch commenced with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony by Southern Cultural Immersion founder Corey Turner. He smeared ochre on the foreheads of attendees including Adelaide’s deputy lord mayor Phillip Martin and Central Ward councillor David Elliott.

Southern Cultural Immersion founder Corey Turner didn’t mince his words when addressing the gathering. “We want to stop people from pi**ing, sh**ing, and vomiting in every corner of our country … We’ve got feral [animal] species, plant species, pervasive weeds, you name it … Let’s think about what we do today and what we do for tomorrow and what we do for generations to come.” Photo: Carla Caruso.

*Adelaide deputy lord mayor Phillip Martin was among those to get hands-on at the smoking ceremony. Photo: Carla Caruso.*

*Corey Turner paints ochre on the forehead of Trees For Life’s Tricia Curtis. Photo: Carla Caruso.*

The ceremony was followed by a short presentation on the project and an opportunity to try bushcare in your Park Lands.

Tricia Curtis, who runs Trees For Life’s community programs, spoke about the joy people found in discovering the city’s hidden wonders through Regenerate.

“Some of the things that [people] said that they like most about the activities was spending time in new areas of the Park Lands that they’ve never been before. And again, it’s about us opening up these areas that are close to people’s homes – are easy to get to in the city – and to allow them to explore them.

“One of the main things I always say is: ‘Get off the path.’ Forget about those old-fashioned signs in your head that say, ‘Stay on the path’. Get off the path and wander.”

*Reporter Carla Caruso also got daubed with ochre by Corey.*

*Trees For Life SA chief executive Natasha Davis welcomed all to the launch. Photo: Carla Caruso.*

The Regenerate program runs from July to December, shifting around Carriageway Park / Tuthangga (Park 17) and Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (Park 6).

Sessions are from 10am to 1pm, with a healthy lunch provided.