Member for Yerrabi, Suzanne Orr MLA today officially launched the 2017 Warm Trees Exhibition alongside Minister Tadayuki Miyashita from the Embassy of Japan at the National Arboretum Canberra.

As part of the exhibition which runs until 30 July some of the Arboretum’s most loved trees have been wrapped up in giant knitted flowers and scarves – generously donated by hundreds of volunteer knitters from around Australia, and even as far as the UK.

“I was delighted to help launch the 2017 Warm Trees exhibition today, alongside Minister Miyashita and volunteers from Friends of the Arboretum Canberra who have made this year’s spectacular installation possible,” Ms Orr said.

“It was great to see representatives from the Embassy of Japan who co-sponsor the annual event and volunteer knitters come together for the launch ceremony, which included a moving performance of Sakura, a well known Japanese song with a hichiriki (Japanese flute), accompanied by a didgeridoo.

“The centerpiece of this year’s installation some of the largest knitted flowers in the world, located in the Yoshino Cherry Forest (Forest 17) are a truly impressive sight – I’d encourage Canberrans to visit the Arboretum to see the spectacle first hand.”

A special feature of this year’s exhibition, presented by the Embassy of Japan, is a display of stunning posters of popular cherry blossom places in Japan, located inside the Village Centre.

During the school holidays there will be drop in sessions for knitters and origami instruction for children to make paper cherry blossoms.

Find out more about Warm Trees at the National Arboretum Canberra.

Statement Ends