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Hexham WWI Avenue of Honour
Webster Street, Hexham VIC 3273

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Hexham Avenue of Honour #1 in Webster Street, Hexham, comprises Cypress and two Peppercorns (Shinus molle) that were planted after World War I.

How is it significant?
The Hexham Avenue of Honour #1 in Webster Street, Hexham, is of historical, scientific (horticultural), aesthetic and social significance to Moyne Shire.

Why is it significant?
The Hexham Avenue of Honour #1 in Webster Street, Hexham, is of local historical significance for its commemoration of local service personnel who served overseas in World War I. It is representative of plantings that first appeared in Australia during World War I, commemorating all those who enlisted for service in an egalitarian form where each individual was equally recognised for their service regardless of rank. It is also of historical significance as an impressive, intact and integral part of the Victorian network of Avenues of Honour, planted to memorialise those who fought in wars overseas, and at one time totalling some 128 throughout Victoria, and now much reduced.

The Hexham Avenue of Honour #1 in Webster Street, Hexham, is of local social significance for its relationship to the community as a memorial to those who served in World War I, and for its continuing commemorative importance. It remains as an indication of the involvement of Victoria's small communities in commemorating the sacrifices of their volunteers, and the loss and sorrow experienced by small rural areas across Victoria.

The Hexham Avenue of Honour #1 in Webster Street, Hexham, is of local scientific (horticultural) significance as an record of the growth pattern of a known species planted at a in a particular place at a known time.

The Hexham Avenue of Honour #1 in Webster Street, Hexham, is of local aesthetic significance as an intact landscape element.
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    • Physical Description 1

      Hexham WWI Avenue of Honour - Physical Description 1

      An avenue of trees planted in Webster Street (Hamilton Highway), Hexham. There are two Peppercorn trees remaining from the original planting; the remainder are Lambertiana Cypress.

      COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
      The Avenue of Honour #1 at Hexham is one of a group of similar plantings that date to the end of the First World War. The original planting of alternating Peppercorns and Cootamundra Wattles was unusual, however, as the majority of avenues of honour in Moyne Shire were planted with Cypress.

      Physical Conditions

      Hexham WWI Avenue of Honour - Physical Conditions

      Good

      Integrity

      Hexham WWI Avenue of Honour - Integrity

      Intact

      Veterans Description for Public

      Hexham WWI Avenue of Honour - Veterans Description for Public

      The Hexham Avenue of Honour, along Webster Street off the Hamilton Highway, was planted in 1921 to commemorate the First World War. The original planting of trees was of alternating Peppercorns (Shinus Molle), Cootamundra Wattles and Lambertiana Cypresses. Webster Street was selected for the avenue because it was an important road through the township. The first tree was planted ceremoniously on the south side of the road in honour of Donald McKenzie who was killed in action. Only two of the original trees, Peppercorns, remain. The end of the avenue is headed by an obelisk monument commemorating the First and Second World Wars, Korea and Vietnam.

      Avenues of honour are a peculiarly Australian - and predominantly Victorian - form of memorial to the First World War. At least 128 avenues were planted in Victoria between 1917 and 1918, all seemingly in imitation of the remarkable avenue of 3912 trees outside Ballarat which the women employees of the Lucas clothing factory initiated in June 1917. The earliest avenue of honour in the South-West district was planted in Digby in August 1917 only two months after the Lucas Girls began planting in Ballarat. At least three of the district's avenues are Australian native trees - Moreton Bay figs and wattle - rather than the English trees which were almost always, as in Hexham, the choice for avenues because of their symbolic significance at the height of imperial loyalty.

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Moyne - Moyne Shire Heritage Study Stage 2

      Author: Helen Doyle in association with Context P/L
      Year: 2006
      Grading: Local

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