Firstly, thank you all. It's very heartening to see the outpouring of support already received for this petition, and read all your thoughts about how important it is to protect the birthing trees and the invaluable heritage and culture they represent. I was directed to this article today, written in 2015, after Vicroads removed 900 old growth trees for this project, having stated in their planning report that no more than 221 trees would be removed in the widening of the road. VicRoads chief executive John Merritt acknowledged the "discrepancy between the original estimate, which did not include scattered trees" and the true figure. "Road safety is our utmost priority and roadside trees can be a hazard in run off road accidents," Mr Merritt said. This attitude shows the absolute disregard, disrespect and disconnection those who are making decisions have for what is left of our very precious heritage and the ancient living culture of our First Nation peoples, who have lived with and cared for country, for at least 60,000 years. A culture that has already weathered continuous and vicious efforts to erase it, by ongoing government policy and mismanagement. It is nothing less than heartbreaking and infuriating that while on one hand, these people attend meetings where they profess to 'acknowledge elders, past, present and future, and the land upon which we stand', and on the other, head to their offices and sign off on acts like this. If you feel compelled, as I do, to write a more personalised letter to the Premier of Victoria and Vicroads, here are their email addresses. daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au araratbypass@roads.vic.gov.au Please keep sharing the petition and the message that we care about the Djapwurrung birthing trees and want them protected. Standing together is power. With love and respect, Kate