By Eleanor Wilson
For 100 years, Hampton Park Progress Association has been advocating for the people of Hampton Park.
On Sunday 11 September, members of the Hampton Park Progress Association will celebrate the centenary milestone with a tree planting ceremony.
Planting one tree for each year of progress, secretary Tania Sacco is encouraging families from across the suburb to “be the voice of Hampton Park”.
“Hampton Park often gets a bad wrap, but it is such a wonderful community,” Mrs Sacco said.
“It’s really more like a village, there is such a strong sense of community.”
After 100 years, the association is turning over a new leaf, in more ways than one.
For many years, the driving force of the association was community advocate Vanassa Gerdes.
Described as the cornerstone of the association, Mrs Gerdes tragically passed away several months ago after a long battle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband and two young children.
“She wanted to make Hampton Park the best place possible for her children because she knew she wouldn’t be there to bring them up,” Ms Sacco said.
“She was one of the main driving forces , she was so geared up for our 100 years tree planting day and even though she can’t be there, I’m not going to let her down in making sure that happens.”
Ms Sacco said she hopes the tree planting day can become a generational project.
“There are 100 trees to adopt, there are no costs involved,” she said.
“A family can adopt a tree and they can visit the tree, take their kids and grandkids to the tree for generations to come,” she said.
Hampton Park Progress Association is holding its Tree Planting day on Sunday 11 September at River Gum Creek Reserve between 9am and 12pm.
Register for the event at tinyurl.com/yvfnjuv6
