Rotary Christmas trees have been part of the Christmas tradition in many West Gippsland households for the past 45 years.

After 45 years and raising almost $500,000 for community projects, this will be the last year of Warragul Rotary Club Christmas trees.
The project began in 1979 when Rotarian Wally Christie took the initiative to sell trees from his nursery on the corner of Brandy Creek Rd and Sutton St. He placed several trees in half 44-gallon drums filled with water, under the big golden elm on the corner. He then hung a big Rotary wheel on the fence and chained an honesty box to the fence.
In the first year, the club sold $844 worth of trees. The trees came from private plantations and APM, mainly as thinnings, so their shapes were irregular.
In 1982, the club decided to grow Christmas trees on a long, narrow piece of railway land at the back of what is now Warragul Toyota and Vin Rowe's in Endeavour St. The rent was a dollar a week.
However, the land turned out to be unsuitable for growing trees, as the Victoria Railways mowing staff would sometimes mow over a row or two before realising it, and some years the land would get waterlogged. Finally, when Vic Rail decided to have a fast train, they lost more trees. In the end, there were more black snakes than trees. The club returned the railway lease in 2007.
The club sought another block to grow the crop, and in 2000, planted trees on land in Landsborough Rd near the hospital. Eventually, the club moved all its tree-growing operations to land at the Gulwarra Heights Cemetery.
The growing and selling of Christmas trees became a major project for the club. It was not only an important fundraiser, but the club also aimed to keep the trees affordable for the community. T0he Rotary Christmas trees have become an institution in Warragul.
Since 1979, the club has sold more than 30,000 trees, with a sales value of almost $750,000 and a profit of more than $500,000, all going back into a range of Rotary projects.
Community members can choose their preferred tree size to fit in their home. All trees, irrespective of size are $50.
Christmas trees will be available for sale at Mobil Warragul in Brandy Creek Rd (Thursday to Sunday) and Rowes Nursery in Landsborough Rd (normal opening hours).
This year trees also will be available each weekend in December at the Baw Baw Food Hub, 156 Queen St. This is a combined project with the Warragul Scout group who are raising funds to assist local scouts to go to the jamboree in Queensland.
Pick your own trees will be available at the Christmas tree plantation in Burke St (next to the Gulwarra Heights Cemetery). Plantation sales are on Saturdays and Sundays (10am to 4pm). Rotarians will be on hand to help community members saw and load their tree.