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Former Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue
Hoddle Road and Pioneer Street FOSTER, SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory
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Statement of Significance

What is Significant?
The former Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue of trees, established in 1921, at Hoddle Road, Foster.

Why is it Significant?
The former Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to the town and district of Foster.

Historically and socially, the War Memorial Avenue, which presumably responded to the initiative of the Victorian State Recruiting Committee, was the first memorial to World War 1 be established in Foster and specifically commemorated former students who served in the war. (AHC criteria - A.4, D.2, and G.1) Aesthetically, the War Memorial Avenue provided an appropriate and related setting for the Memorial Higher Elementary School that opened in the following year. Today, although diminished in number the now mature trees enhance the appearance and setting of South Gippsland Secondary College, and remain an evocative symbol of the impact of World War 1 upon the school. (AHC criterion - E.1)

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    • Physical Description 1

      Former Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue - Physical Description 1

      The Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue comprises a number of mature exotic trees, generally situated along the periphery of the school site (now known as South Gippsland Secondary College).

      (Note: further research is required to determine the location and species of the trees)

      Physical Description 2

      Former Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue - Physical Description 2

      Style

      Honour Avenue

      Historical Australian Themes

      Former Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue - Historical Australian Themes

      Thematic Context

      Government + Community Institutions

      Sub-Themes

      Schools, Churches, Public Halls, Cemeteries & Hospitals; Military Defence.

      Veterans Description for Public

      Former Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue - Veterans Description for Public

      The War Memorial Avenue at Foster Higher Elementary School was planted on Arbor Day, July 15th 1921, after a working bee to prepare the site was held in the previous week. The Avenue honoured former pupils of Foster State School whose names appeared on the School World War One Honour Roll.

      The Foster Mirror reported that tree planting commenced at 1.30 pm and "as near as possible was carried out by soldiers, relatives or nearest friends". The trees placed around the site of the school buildings were for soldiers who made the Supreme Sacrifice.

      Mr AG Thomas, chairman of the School board, made an address that urged the children who were present to look after the trees and: ".. see that they matured so that in days to come they would always have something to look upon as a memento of the loyalty of soldiers whom they represent."

      The Former Foster Higher Elementary School War Memorial Avenue was the first of three memorials established in the town to honour those who served in the First World War and preceded the opening of the Higher Elementary School, which was carried out in the following year. The Shire of South Gippsland donated £600 to the cost of construction of the School and made a successful request to the Minister of Education, Alexander Peacock, for it to be dedicated as a memorial to the First World War soldiers. The First World War memorial in Main Street was unveiled in 1925.

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      South Gippsland - South Gippsland Heritage Study

      Author: David Helms with Trevor Westmore
      Year: 2004
      Grading:

Public contributions

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