Arborists from across Victoria will converge on Geelong this weekend for the Victorian State Tree Climbing Championships.

The City of Greater Geelong is partnering with the Victorian Tree Industry Organisation to host the championships at the Geelong Botanic Gardens.

The annual championships attract everyone from trainee arborists to master tree climbers.

The competition will be held in up to 10 trees in the historic gardens, with the action taking place around the Tea House and the new amphitheatre.

Competition winners will go on to compete at the Australian Tree Climbing Championships for the chance to represent Australia at the world championships in the United States of America.

There are around 6000 arborists across Australia however only 128 women, which is less than two per cent.

Council has employed six trainee arborists and is actively recruiting for new members of its Tree Management Team.

The fact that we have two women arborists and are about to employ a third shows that Geelong is branching out in the right direction.

It’s exciting to host the competition in Geelong because we have a big team of arborists. We employ arborists at every band level at Council so there’s great career progression for people who enter the industry.

The competition begins at 7:30am this Saturday with events including work skill competitions, setting rope lines, speed climbs, advanced tree climbing techniques, and aerial rescues.

The City’s Coordinator of Tree Management, Sarah Priestley will be one of the judges on the aerial rescue competition.

City Services, Parks and Gardens Portfolio Chair, Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken

We want to welcome Victoria’s arborists to Geelong for this fantastic event that focuses on safety and innovation in tree climbing. There’s a national shortage of qualified arborists so the competition helps provide the public with a better understanding of the skills it takes to properly climb and care for trees.