Front pages of two Kalgoorlie Miner newspapers decades apart show local family’s dedication to tree planting

A pair of Kalgoorlie Miner newspapers published 27 years apart coincidently both feature the same family at Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s annual tree planting day. In a 1998 edition, conservation enthusiast Bryce Greatorex is pictured planting seedlings with his son Cody, 7, and his daughter Shenae, 4. Bryce and Shenae are pictured again in a 2025 edition with Bryce’s granddaughter Lucy, 4, the same age her mum was in 1998. Mr Greatorex said he planted trees because it was simply something he enjoyed doing. “They’ve been around on the planet for so many years, and they contribute so much to life on Earth,” he said. “Us humans should be the caretakers and help to protect the trees.” He said he loved tree planting with his kids and grandkids. “It gets them involved in the community and then they can see them grow over the years.” The 30th anniversary of National Tree Planting Day is coming up in July and Mr Greatorex encouraged the community to get involved. “National Tree Day started in 1996 and has grown into Australia’s largest community tree planning and nature care event,” he said. “Twenty-eight million trees have been planted with five million volunteers who have donated time worth $10 million.” Kalgoorlie-Boulder Urban Landcare Group chief executive Kim Eckert said the two front pages were an incredible coincidence. “What a beautiful display of a family’s commitment to sustainability and conservation action,” she said. Ms Eckert said Mr Greatorex’s granddaughter, Lucy, had received a special commendation award from KBULG for her efforts to plant and maintain a little sustainable garden. “Bryce himself is well-known for his dedicated contributions to local conservation efforts,” she said. She said he was a long-term member of the Goldfields Naturalist Club and had been monitoring local biodiversity for more than 40 years. “He is also widely recognised for his commitment to sustainable gardening among the neighbourhood and has won the edible garden category of KBULG’s Sustainable Garden Quest in both 2018 and 2025,” she said. She said Mr Greatorex and his family were truly inspiring. “Kalgoorlie-Boulder is so lucky and proud to have you in the community,” she said. “Thank you Bryce for passing on your commitment to our environment to your children and grandchildren and for being an inspiration to many others.”