By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
A MACADAMIA native has been planted to honour Tewantin’s Stacey Mowle, following her tragic passing in March last year.
The simple yet moving ceremony was held at the University of the Sunshine Coast on Thursday morning 21 May, with USC students and academics joining friends and family of Stacey to pay tribute to a truly beautiful soul.
Stacey was just 22 and in her third year of an OT degree at USC when she died in March 2014 from a heart condition called hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
Diagnosed with the illness aged 15, Stacey was determined to live life to the fullest and not let her medical label define her.
Inspired by Stacey’s story and her bravery battling through the illness along with her lovable personality, her classmates and academics at the university felt it appropriate that something be erected in her honour.
Just over a year on, this has become a reality, the tree, donated to USC by the Macadamia Conservation Trust and the Caboolture Regional Environmental Education Centre Nursery, having been planted in the university’s Moving Feast Community Garden.
Stacey’s mum and sister, Deb and Jackie Waters, were present at the tree planting.
Both family members were confident that Stacey would have been greatly humbled by the tribute.
“She would be just so honoured and proud,” Jackie said. “Absolutely ecstatic – never would she have thought this would be done in her memory.”
Deb agreed.
“It’s an incredible honour and a true reflection of how much of an impact Stace had here at the university,” Deb said.
“Not everyone gets a tree planted for them, so it really is special.”
Occupational Therapy clinical trainer Marie Bridgman was one of the drivers behind the morning’s ceremony.
Stacey completed a prac with Marie in the November of 2013.
“We have been working to have a tree planted in her memory for a long time now,” Marie said.“While she was a quiet achiever, Stacey was strong, with a huge heart and her passing had a really big impact on the university community.
“The purpose of the memorial tree is however also to provide a reflective place for all USC staff and students to remember family and friends who have passed away.”
Prior to her death, Stacey set up a charity called Smiles of Strength, which her mother is now continuing.
Details about this charity can be found at www.facebook.com/smilesofstrength
