A Grey Gum (eucalyptus punctate) planted at Parry Park to remember the Zubolis, is the first tribute to be laid under the council’s Memorial Tree Planting Program, after their daughter, Linda, applied for a memorial tree to honour her late parents.
Ms Zuboli said it was only fitting the tree be planted in the park her parents loved so much.
“They migrated to Australia from Italy in the 1960s and they were very proud Australians,” Ms Zuboli said.
“They moved to Greenacre in 1977 and became friendly with everyone on the street – they all looked out for each other. Dad had his veggie patch out the back and mum had her flowers.
“Mum wanted to be buried back in Italy, but I wanted something to be here with their name on it – they spent so many years of their life here and they really loved the community.”
The Memorial Tree Planting Program was established after a council motion inviting community members to apply for a living memorial for a loved one through tree planting in public open spaces.
The motion was put forward by Councillor Clare Raffan, who said she was inspired by the loss of her dear teacher, employer, mentor and friend, Bruce Macleod.
“I didn’t ever feel that I was able to respectfully pay tribute to him nor properly farewell him,” Cr Raffan said.
“The celebration of his life and reflection on his contribution is in the form of a Ficus virens, or White Fig, planted in Centennial Park.
“Prior to the Christmas break, I contacted Centennial Parklands to request the location of the fig tree so that I could finally rest my conscience and properly farewell my friend.”
Ms Zuboli said planting the memorial tree was a beautiful tribute to her parents, who would have really loved the idea.
“The tree is right where the play and seating area is, so in a couple of years when it grows, it will provide shade for the kids. My parents loved children and would have been really happy about that.”
Residents can apply to commemorate a loved one with a memorial tree at cb.city/MemorialTrees
Plants first tree as memorial to her late parents
FOR almost 50 years, Luigi and Maria Zuboli walked the path of their local park every evening after dinner, and now their legacy will live on in the form of a City of Canterbury Bankstown memorial tree.
