5 November 2020: University of ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ Chancellor Professor Tom Calma AO has today been recognised with an Australian Hero Tree Dedication of an Araucaria cunninghammii (Hoop pine) at the National Arboretum ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥.
The Tree Dedication is awarded to professionals and individuals who have distinguished themselves in their field of endeavour, and who have significantly contributed to Australia’s society, knowledge wealth and lifestyle.
“Professor Tom Calma AO was hand-selected by a panel to unveil an ‘Australian Hero’ Hoop pine that publicly recognises his significant advancement in human rights and social justice through campaigning for the greater good for First Peoples of Australia and cross-cultural understanding,” said the National Arboretum ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ Executive Branch Manager Scott Saddler AM.
Professor Calma attended the ceremony at the Arboretum where he was officially given the honour following a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by local Ngunnawal elder, Aunty Violet Sheridan.
“It is a real honour to be recognised in this way by the ACT Government and the National Arboretum,” Professor Calma said.
“Although the dedication is to me, it is shared by everyone I work with and have worked with. The work I do is a team effort and I want this recognition to be shared by everybody – an individual can’t achieve great things alone.”
Professor Calma also noted that the recognition should be shared by the University.
“As a civic university, serving ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ and through it the nation. This is just one step in that journey that recognises the contribution UC makes to ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ – not just through our graduates, but through our economic, cultural and services contribution to the city.”
The tree, located in the Central Valley grass terrace tiers, will be surrounded by other dedication trees which have previously been awarded to heroes from a variety of professional fields, including science, the arts, literacy, education, entrepreneurs and charity – a representation of Australia’s rich diversity.