Downtown Toyota and Lota State School Celebrate National Tree Day with Avocado Tree Planting
Posted in Community News
From the left: Katina (Customer Service), Leon (New Retail Sales) and Cohen (Used Inventory Coordinator).
Planting trees might seem like a small act, but at Lota State School, it’s part of a much bigger picture. In honour of National Tree Day, we teamed up with their passionate Environmental Club to add a new avocado tree to the garden and celebrate the continued growth of a partnership rooted in sustainability.
On Monday, July 21st at 11am, members of our team joined the school’s Environmental Club for a hands-on morning focused on the importance of trees and the role they play in our ecosystem. After an engaging discussion with the students, we planted an avocado tree the latest addition to a growing garden of citrus trees previously donated by Downtown Toyota Dealership Brisbane.
Kicking off National Tree Day with our friends at Lota State School
Nicole Hamilton, Downtown Toyota’s Human Resources Manager, reflected on the deeper purpose behind the initiative and the power of long-standing community connections.
"Working with Lota State School for National Tree Day shows how long-term community partnerships can create lasting environmental impact. It’s not just about the trees we plant, it’s about the conversations, the learning, and the shared commitment to sustainability. Seeing our team engage with such passionate young minds reminds us why these initiatives matter," she said.
Lota State School's educator, Ms Julie Beinssen, said the day was wonderful and a meaningful reminder of the positive impact long-term community partnerships can have.
“It’s wonderful that we have had Downtown Toyota’s support and sponsorship over the years. I was so pleased that you could taste the fruits of that partnership. On Monday, we enjoyed avocado on crackers, alongside mandarins and cumquats from trees donated in previous years,” she shared.
How Tree Donations Are Bearing Fruit at Lota State School
The planting was followed by a morning tea in the school garden, where students sampled fresh produce grown from past National Tree Day donations and other plantings over the years, including mandarins, cumquats, and now, avocado. These simple moments highlight the long-term impact of ongoing community partnerships and the importance of sustainable planting in school environments.
Leon said the experience was incredibly rewarding and highlighted just how engaged the students were throughout the visit.
“It was awesome to see the kids so enthusiastic and engrossed with nature and greenery; they even surprised me with some facts I didn’t know myself!”
His sentiment was echoed by Katina, who also joined from the Customer Experience team.
“It’s so rewarding to see how much the kids have gotten out of this, not just having the tree at their school, but learning about the environment and plants along the way. It was such a fun experience to be part of,” she said.
Returning volunteer Cohen, Used Inventory Coordinator, said National Tree Day is always a highlight, sharing that he loves seeing the kids get their hands dirty because it reminds him of gardening with his nan when he was their age, something he believes brings people together.
Students helping plant the Avocado tree at Lota State School
Our Tree Planting Tradition with Lota State School
Since 2021, Downtown Toyota has proudly supported Lota State School by donating and planting a variety of fruit trees and native plants as part of National Tree Day.
Elly supporting Lota State School’s Garden with a lemon tree, 2021.
What began with citrus trees like mandarins and cumquats has now flourished into a thriving vegetable and fruit garden that students continue to learn from and enjoy. Each year, new additions, like native trees, seasonal vegetables, and herbs, have helped transform the space into a vibrant outdoor classroom that brings sustainability to life.
Elly, our Strategic Growth Executive, has been closely involved in these initiatives over the years, helping nurture both the garden and the school’s growing passion for environmental education. From digging in the dirt with students to helping choose new plants for each planting day, Elly has seen the garden evolve from its early days and remains a passionate advocate for the partnership.
“Planting a tree on National Tree Day is more than an act of care for the earth, it’s a moment of connection, bringing our community together to grow something lasting. We are super proud to see how thoughtfully the children have cared for these trees over the many years,” she shares.
Elly planting alongside students during National Tree Day 2021, kicking off our partnership with Lota State School and setting the roots for a garden that continues to grow.
Lota State School’s Environmental Club Champions Tree Planting
We extend our sincere thanks to the staff and students at Lota State School, especially the Environmental Club, Principal Kyle Low and Ms Beinssen, for welcoming us back and continuing this tree-planting tradition with enthusiasm and heart.
We can’t wait to see how the new avocado tree grows in the years to come.
Photos from National Tree Day Planting from 11am - 12pm
