ABOUT BOWRA & O’DEA MEMORIAL GROVES

Twenty four years ago a taxi ride proved the catalyst in the development of a unique partnership that has helped both grieving families and the environment.

A conversation between Tim Lawrence, the taxi driver, and his passenger Joe O’Dea Jnr of Bowra and O’Dea Funeral Directors, led to a Memorial Grove program that provides a living and lasting memorial for those who have lost a loved one.

Tim is a life member of Trillion Trees and a past President. Joe’s concern for bereaved families and both men’s passion for the environment fuelled their vision to set up the Bowra & O’Dea Memorial Groves to assist in the healing of grieving families.

Trillion Trees coordinates the site selection and the provision and planting of the native seedlings. Bereaved families select a tree within a newly planted grove which they can visit at any time.

The plantings aim to symbolise re-birth and the cycle of life and provide a peaceful reflective space for families to visit.

The first Bowra and O’Dea Memorial Groves planting took place in 1996 with thousands of trees planted each year.

Memorial Grove sites have been planted throughout Western Australia.

The Memorial Groves at Beckenham are a result of a collaboration between Trillion Trees, Bowra & O’Dea, the Western Australian Planning Commission and South East Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL).

Find out more about Bowra & O’Dea here – https://bowraodea.com.au/

M E M O R I A L   G R O V E   M A P   L O C A T I O N S

Bowra & O’Dea Memorial Groves Planting Locations

Irish Town Memorial Grove 1996/97

Irish Town Memorial Grove was the first Bowra and O’Dea Grove planted in Western Australia. Only a few kilometres out of Toodyay, the Grove was planted with 4000 endemic species on a property belonging to a farmer that needed revegetation and regeneration. The grove has been maintained both by Trillion Trees and by the farmer over the years and is now a veritable forest of green.

Nambling Memorial Grove 1997/98

Nambling Memorial Grove was opened in 1998 as a revegetation and regeneration project on a seriously salt affected area outside of Dowerin. This planting was one of the most difficult due to a severe salt scald nearby and the degraded state of the soil. With an initial low success rate several replantings and infills were completed over the two years to follow and the Grove is now quite beautiful,  frequently visited and tended by relatives.

Fairbridge Memorial Grove 1998/99

The Fairbridge Memorial Grove was opened in 1998 on the site of the Fairbridge Eco Farm near Pinjarra, which was to be the largest example of sustainable farming and Eco-Village living in Western Australia – it remains a great example of sustainable living ethics and as such supports the concept of living and ecologically sound Memorials. The Memorial Grove is tended by Trillion Trees affiliate, Peel Men of the Trees regularly.

Kulyaling Memorial Grove 1999/2000

Kulyaling is situated halfway between Brookton and Pingelly on the Great Southern Highway. It lies in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia. This particular memorial grove was opened in 2000 in moral support for the community which had experienced a devastating bushfire in the previous year. As such it was a memorial not only for Bowra and O’Dea’s clients but also for the community itself.

Mini Pinnacles Memorial Grove 2000/01

The initial planting at Guilderton in 2000 had a low success rate. Trillion Trees undertook an infill planting the following year to compensate for the initial losses. The Grove was opened in 2001. There are now well over 3000 trees in this beautiful Grove. There is a ‘dugout’ area that is not as well established but provides an interesting feature and unique character to the Grove with pinnacle like structures.

Old Rifle Range Memorial Grove 2002/03

The Byford Memorial Grove was planted to revegetate an area that was previously cleared as a rifle range. The area was severely eroded and the soil of very poor quality. The planting has greened a large expanse of land and has had several infill plantings since the initial one in 2002. This Grove provides a nice beginning to a local bushwalk track and is frequently visited by a large mob of kangaroos.

Magenup Lake Reserve Memorial Grove 2004/05

Wandi Memorial Grove is situated within Magenup Lake Reserve, in the southern suburbs of metropolitan Perth. It is situated in the City of Kwinana and has a zoning of Special Rural meaning trees cannot be removed. The site was planted in 2003 and opened in 2004 with a large variety of beautiful species. Although smaller than some of the other Groves, this is a lovely planting and frequently visited.

Mt Brown Memorial Grove 2005/06

York is the oldest inland town in Western Australia situated 97 kilometres east of Perth. York Memorial Grove is located on the road to Mt Brown Lookout, and has a spectacular view all of its own. The Grove was opened in 2006 and offers friends and family a lovely place for reflection with picnic facilities and a small Grove of healthy young trees. This Grove has been infill planted to increase the number of trees present.

Beckenham Memorial Park 2008 – 2019

Trillion Trees Australia is working with WA Planning Commission, South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL) and Bowra & O’Dea to support the creation of a Memorial Park on Regional Open Space owned by the WAPC and bounded by Horley Road, Kenwick Link and the Roe Highway reserve in the locality of Beckenham. A series of Memorial Groves, of approximately 4,000 trees and native species has been established each year since 2008.