An intergenerational project: The birth of a Licuala palm nursery

The Licuala Family Nursery tells the story of an intergenerational adventure,
reflecting the experiences, ethical and social ideas of future generations of children
in my family.

It will be an unfinished story, offering opportunity for wider reflection and
comparison of intergenerational ideas. The story unfolds through the representation of projects carried out with the Licuala palms from my nursery.

My love affair with the Licuala palms spans over forty years as I fondly remember the
beautiful palms from camping in the remote Daintree rainforests with my family in
the 1970s when I was a child. These impressive palms stole my heart with their
immense circular split leaves like giant parasols in an ancient wonderland of natural
wilderness.

My first poster professionally framed for our little house as newly weds was the
Licuala palm. The decision to grow Licuala palms for my children and grandchildren
and great grandchildren grew out of the desire to share this love affair of my
favourite palm with the children as gifts for baby gifts, christenings, birthdays,
graduations, engagements and weddings. The ritual of planting a magnificent
Licualas as part of the celebration ceremonies at these major life milestones fills my
heart with joy.

Of course the licuala palm will become a part of other life events like defining the
passing of a pet or a loved one. It is my hope that the generations of children not yet born into my family tree will share my magnificent love for this extraordinary palm and make the pilgrimage to the Daintree rainforest, where heritage listed rainforests meet the sea. May these rainforests and my children always know they are very loved and may this love fiercely protect them forever.

This intergenerational project is to share the gift of giving the magnificent Licuala
palms to the future generations of children within our family tree.