Love and connection brought the Hills community together to honour the lives of their children gone too soon under the Tree of Souls this weekend.
As grim and horrific news from Bondi made headlines across Australia and the world, the annual vigil went quietly ahead on the evening of Sunday 14 December.
“We gathered not because our children are gone from this world but because love remains,” said Upwey local and co-founder of the tree project Rineke Leigh.
“Our vigil last night was a beautiful time of collective sharing, remembering and connecting,” she said.
Beginning from a backyard project in 2022, to a nationwide initiative, the Tree of Souls is a yearly event which allows parents and families to remember their children and loved ones in the lead-up to Christmas.
Parents supply an image of their child, which is then turned into a bauble and placed on the tree, in an act of remembrance and solace at the Tecoma Uniting Church gardens in Tecoma.
Lighting candles at the vigil, Ms Leigh said attendees gather to honour the lives that changed them forever and the bond that remains far beyond time and words.
“We all carry within us a love that never leaves,” she said.
“This love is the essence of all of us, so when a loved one passes, we are called to honour that love.”
“Coming together in community empowers us to reach beyond our grief and pain so we have the strength to transform the pain by allowing it to walk beside us rather than consuming us.”
To date, there are now eight regular Tree of Souls displays throughout Australia, each hosted voluntarily by bereaved parents or, as is the case for two of the trees, a close connection to a child gone too soon.
“This year Tree of Souls has organically branched out in incredible ways,” said Ms Leigh.
Providing resources on their website, the team of volunteers that runs the project often do so in honour of their own loved ones.
Tecoma’s Tree is decorated in the later part of the year, and people can get a bauble placed of a loved one if they wish, and spend time in the garden in contemplation alone or attend the vigil.
“I would love to acknowledge Tecoma Uniting Church and the Flame Community Garden for being so incredibly warm and welcoming to Tree of Souls,” said Ms Leigh.
“This is the third year we have been privileged to use the beautiful garden,” she said.
The group has also acknowledged the recent current events and posted to social media to share resources and support.
“As we were lighting candles last night, the pain we know so very deeply was ripping through Bondi,” said the post Monday 15 December.
“News like this brings us back to the moments we know too well – please be gentle with yourself, step back if needed, and reach out for support.”
The Tree of Souls website has many resources and people are welcome to reach out directly.
The display can be visited at any time and will remain in place until 4 January, 2026.
To add a bauble for an angel child please go to the website www.treeofsouls.org
