(26 May 2008, Hong Kong)HK.Love.Trees programme co-organized by NWS Holdings Charities Foundation Limited and Green Power, is the first large-scale and sustainable tree conservation project in Hong Kong. Its prizes presentation ceremony was held at Western Square, New World Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, on 24 May 2008, in which the prizes for “Moving Banyan Tree” Bus Body Design Competition, “Memories Under Banyan Tree” Writing Competition and “Our Banyan Tree” Photo Competition were presented, while a winning entries exhibition was launched. In addition, all winning entries are being published in a new book, “Memories Under Banyan Trees” Collection, which will be distributed for free to all local secondary schools and public libraries, so that more people can share the stories between Banyan trees and Hong Kong people.
The judges and winners were all invited to the ceremony. Ms. Maria Cheung, Assistant General Manager – Corporate Communication of NWS Holdings Limited, summarized achievements of the programme over the past year, “As organizations committed to environmental protection, NWS Charities Foundation and Green Power are aware that many old trees in the community have are growing up with Hong Kong people. Through arousing affection from the public by drawing, writing and photography, HK.Love.Trees hopes people learn, treasure and protect the trees.”
Two “Moving Banyan” buses, transformed from regular buses of New World First Bus and Citybus, were on display at the ceremony. The bus bodies were painted with the winning works of the Senior and Junior Groups respectively of the “Moving Banyan Tree” Bus Body Design Competition that was open for local primary school pupils. There are 10 “Moving Banyan” buses running across the territory since February in order to arouse public awareness on banyan tree conservation. Receiving marvellous responses in the three competitions, with over 7,200 members of the public, secondary and primary school students, the programme is proved to be a success in arousing public concern on trees in the community and the conservation issues of local trees.
Besides and Ms. Maria Cheung, the attending guests included Dr. Man Chi Sum, Chief Executive Officer of Green Power Ms. Shirley Loo, Development Director of Family Heartware, Mr. Felix So, Professional Photographer, Mr. Johnny Lai, Marketing Supervisor of Hong Kong School of Design, Mr Raymond To, Director & Acting Group General Manager - KLPS Group Limited and Ms. Elaine Chan, Deputy Head of Corporate Communication, New World First Bus Services Limited / Citybus Limited. The winning entries of all three competitions of HK.Love.Trees will be displayed at the Main Entrance of New World Centre starting from today till 9 June 2008. Members of the public are invited to come and appreciate the affection Hong Kong people have for Banyan trees.
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This press release is also available on the Group’s website ( www.nws.com.hk).
NWS Holdings Charities Foundation Limited (“NWS Charities Foundation”) was established by NWS Holdings Limited ("NWS Holdings" or the "Group"; Hong Kong stock code: 659) in November 2006. As a responsible corporate citizen, NWS Holdings is committed to making corporate social responsibility an integral part of its corporate culture and enhancing the quality of life for the community. Through NWS Charities Foundation, the Group aims to deepen its community engagement and remunerate the society using the Group's resources.
NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings”, Hong Kong stock code: 659), the infrastructure and service flagship of New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17), embraces a diversified range of businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau. Its Infrastructure portfolio includes Roads, Energy, Water and Ports projects. Its Service & Rental division comprises Facilities Rental (the management of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and ATL Logistics Centre), Contracting (Hip Hing Construction and NWS Engineering), Financial Services (Taifook Securities and New World Insurance) and Other Services (New World First Bus, Citybus and New World First Ferry)
Green Power is dedicated to environmental education. We encourage the public to learn about rich natural resources and hence protect the environment in Hong Kong. Following programmes focused on butterflies and rivers, we have now launched programmes to conserve trees. We conduct diverse, sustainable community education activities, through which members of the public can learn more about trees and participate in tree conservation and environmental protection.
HK.Love.Trees was established in September 2007, which is the first large-scale, sustainable tree conservation project in Hong Kong. As well as covering ecology, the project spans historical and cultural aspects of trees for the first time in Hong Kong, and encourage people to share precious collective memories about local trees. We hope that, by learning about and making friends with trees, we can better protect and preserve these treasures of our earth.
The official website www.hk-love-trees.net adopts a “sentimental” approach, introducing trees in Hong Kong, the relationship between trees and humans, ecology, and threats trees face. There is also detailed information about banyan trees – the theme of the first year programme, such as characteristics, species and precious photos. A series of activities held for the public included “Banyan Tree of Hong Kong People” election, “Moving Banyan Tree” Bus Body Design Competition, “Memories Under Banyan Tree” Writing Competition, “Our Banyan Tree” Photo Competition and “Journey of Trees” Teachers’ Guidebook and Workshop.
NWS Holdings Limited Ms Emily Chan Assistant Manager - Corporate Communication Tel: (852) 2131 6246 E-mail: emilychan@nws.com.hk
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Green Power Ms Mancy Chan Associate Project and PR Manager Tel: (852) 2314 2663 Mobile: (852) 9746 1729 E-mail: mancy@greenpower.org.hk |