Trainee arborists win climbing comp

Arboriculture students have climbed to the top of their game at the recent Northern Territory Tree Climbing Championships. 

Charles Darwin University Certificate III in Arboriculture students Dean Weekley and Alana Murray won a “Rookies Award” in the male and female categories at the competition in the Daly River region. 

Five students competed and demonstrated their foot locking, speed climbing, aerial rescue, work climbing and throw line abilities, which will be accredited to their course.

Alana said she discovered her passion for arboriculture earlier this year and was completing the course to become qualified in tree care.

“What big kid doesn’t want to climb trees for work?” she said.

“As a kid, I was always climbing trees and now I get to do it professionally.”

Alana said she particularly enjoyed learning about different trees and how to make tree cuts, which help the tree’s recovery and help prevent disease and fungi from entering the tree.

Fellow student competitors included Cory Pontifex, Daryl Parrott, who came fourth in the overall competition, and Kevin Mallett, who was awarded “Spirit of the Competition”.

The students also volunteered to help set up the competition site, which will be included in their required training hours.

The competition has been organised by the Northern Territory Arboriculture Association for the past five years.

Four Arboriculture students who enrolled in the course last year are preparing to become the first course graduates at the upcoming CDU graduation ceremonies in October.