Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has left a lasting mark in the Blue Mountains, planting an oak tree in the historic Prime Ministers’ Corridor of Oaks in Faulconbridge. The ceremony yesterday, attended by around 200 guests, recognised Turnbull’s contributions to Australian politics, particularly his leadership during his tenure as the nation’s 29th Prime Minister.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill underscored the cultural significance of the Corridor of Oaks, describing it as “not only a heritage conservation area of great local and national importance, but also a living memorial to Sir Henry Parkes and to the Federation of Australia.”

“Each oak planted here marks a key moment in Australia's political history, symbolising the contributions of our Prime Ministers,” Cr Greenhill said.

Reflecting on Turnbull’s leadership, he highlighted the former Prime Minister’s role in shaping national debates.

“Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership was marked by a commitment to progress, optimism, and inclusivity,” he said. “He did not shy away from challenging the status quo, from his advocacy for climate change action to his leadership in establishing the same-sex marriage referendum, which remains one of the defining milestones of his tenure.”

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman, who spent her early years in Parliament sitting opposite Turnbull, acknowledged his role in bringing about marriage equality.

“The vote to legislate marriage equality in December 2017 remains a highlight of my now nine years in Parliament and one of the Parliament’s finest moments,” she said. “While Australia’s pathway towards marriage equality did not take the course that everyone would have wished, I do acknowledge Malcolm’s role cain ultimately bringing it about, especially when so many in his own party were opposed to it.,” Templeman said.

“It will stand as a defining moment of social progress in Australian history and I hope that moment is one people will remember when they stand here in the Blue Mountains, before your tree, in decades to come,” she said.

Templeman also spoke about the deep historical connection the Turnbull family has with the Hawkesbury, referencing Malcolm Turnbull’s great-great-great-grandfather, John Turnbull, one of the first Scottish-born free settlers in New South Wales.

“John Turnbull and his wife Ann settled on Swallow Rock Reach near Ebenezer in 1803, helped build a school and what is now the oldest existing church in Australia, the charming Ebenezer Church,” she said. “I know your family has made generous personal contributions to ensure its preservation.”

Drawing on her long awareness of Turnbull’s career, Templeman recalled her first impressions of him, formed not in Parliament but as a young journalist covering his legal defence of media mogul Kerry Packer against the "Goanna" allegations in the early 1980s. She also referenced insights from mutual acquaintances who had worked alongside Turnbull in the Australian Republican Movement and the investment banking sector.

“By the time I assumed my seat in Parliament in 2016, I didn’t come with a completely blank slate,” she said. “And today, we’ve gathered to establish a lasting commemoration of Malcolm’s contribution to public life in the 21st century.”

The event was attended by local dignitaries, representatives from the Blue Mountains Heritage Advisory Committee, and students from several local schools, including Blaxland High School, Blue Mountains Grammar School, and Springwood High School.

Turnbull, who addressed the students, later spent time speaking with them about contemporary political issues, including Donald Trump, whom he reportedly described as a bully.

In recognition of his service, Turnbull was presented with civic gifts, including a copy of Hidden History of the Blue Mountains by local author Magda Cawthorne and a piece by local ceramic artist Sharron Mountain.