ON SATURDAY, a plaque was unveiled in the grounds of Cabanda Care to acknowledge the outstanding commitment to the community and the Rosewood Scrub by arborist and horticulturalist, the late Arnold Rieck.
Mr Rieck passed away last year and leaving a ‘green’ legacy in the form of the Arboretum and other plantings, and the knowledge and enthusiasm for the plants of the original Rosewood Scrub which he shared with so many people
As a fitting tribute, the plaque was installed underneath one of his favourite species the Callitris baileyi, also known commonly as the Baileys Cypress Pine.
In attendance at the event were the Rosewood Lions (who donated the plaque), members from Native Plants Queensland Ipswich Branch, members from the West Moreton Land Care Group, special guests and his wife Joyce Rieck supported by her family.
Mrs Rieck said she was very grateful to the Rosewood Lions for the initiative in making this special plaque … “Arnold would have been extremely proud”.
“The Callitris baileyi [trees] under which the plaque is situated, was planted by Arnold about 20 years ago, and they were actually propagated by him from seed that he collected from The Bluff,” she said.
“These plants are so significant to the area, and it is great that people are starting to notice them, because sometimes we walk around and do not pay attention to what is around us.
“It is actually the 12-month anniversary since Arnold passed away, so I think that it is fitting that this occasion is happening.
“People always say that the first 12 months after losing someone is the hardest, but Arnold lived a full life, and we could not have asked anything more of him.
“We all have an allotted time to live and it is up to us to make the most of it, which is what Arnold did and he would have been so proud to know that this plaque now recognises one of his favourite species.”
Arnold Rieck came to Rosewood in 1959 as a teacher at the Mount Walker school. He was then transferred to Rosewood State High School as a secondary teacher in 1964, until his retirement in 1989.
Fascinated by the number and varieties of plants that made up the Rosewood Scrub, he collected seed and propagated material from the Rosewood Scrub to regenerate and establish Masons Gully and the Rosewood Scrub Arboretum at Peace Park, Rosewood.
