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The charge is being led by RSL member and Dalmeny resident Peter Bernard who for many years has campaigned to protect the trees, including during the construction of the Dalmeny Narooma shared pathway. “The first planting of the golden Cypress pines occurred in the middle 1930’s in the area now known as Wharf Road, Narooma,” Mr Bernard told the officials at the meeting. "The selection of these trees was first instigated by the Narooma Branch of the CWA. A number of trees were planted by each member in that section between the Princes Highway, Wharf Street and Bay Street,” he said. “Owing to their resistance to coastal conditions others were planted below this area. They provided extensive areas of shade and no doubt used for family picnickers, swimmers since those days. They are known in many countries as the ‘Trees Of Life and Death’.”

Mr Bernard went on to explain the trees of the same species were planted later on from Centenary Drive to the treatment works causeway at Kianga. There was no formed road at that time and area was essentially undeveloped. Then the Dalmeny Progress Association raised enough money to plant 100 trees along what is now known as Dalmeny Drive and 19 along Ocean Parade, he said. The council’s Coastal Reserve Assessment Report indicates these were planted in 1971 as part of an Anzac Memorial.