Newtown Avenue of Honour

Scarsdale Pitfield Road NEWTOWN, GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory

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Statement of Significance

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  • Veterans Description for Public

    Newtown Avenue of Honour - Veterans Description for Public

    The Newtown Avenue of Honour, on the Scarsdale-Pitfield Road, was planted in 1918 to honour those from the Newtown district who fought and died in the First World War. The Avenue was officially opened on 21st September 1918 by Hon. Alex Bell. The trees comprise of English Elm (Ulmus procera), Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara ), Blue Atlantic Cedar (Cedrus atlantica f.Glauca ). The avenue is in poor condition with severe pruning, trees missing and varied ages. The most intact cluster is situated in proximity to the Scarsdale State School.

    In Australia, commemorative trees have been planted in public spaces since the late nineteenth century. Arbor Days were held regularly in most Victorian State Schools during the late 1800s and early 1900s, and numerous trees were planted in parks in Melbourne and throughout Victoria to mark the visits of important and famous people.

    This tradition of commemorative planting was continued in 1901 when at the end of the Boer War trees were often planted for each soldier of the district who was killed in South Africa. These plantings, however, rarely consisted of more than two or three trees in each town.

    During and after the First World War avenues of honour consisting of trees lining significant streets became a popular form of commemoration. They represented a new egalitarian approach to the commemoration of soldiers where rank was not a consideration: each tree symbolises a person.

    Avenues of honour are a uniquely Australian phenomenon. Australians, and in particular Victorians, embraced the idea of planting them more enthusiastically than any other country in the world. Dating from May 1916, the Eurack Avenue of Honour is the earliest known avenue of honour to be planted in Victoria.

    By the time of the Second World War avenues of honour had declined in popularity as a means of commemoration. Today it is estimated that over 300 avenues of honour have been planted in Victoria to commemorate service personnel since 1901.
    
    

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 2

    Author: Heritage Matters P/L
    Year: 2009
    Grading: Local

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