The Sisters Avenue of Honour

The Sisters VIC 3265

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • Physical Description 1

    The Sisters Avenue of Honour - Physical Description 1

    The original cypresses have been removed. 'Replaced with eucalypts, but on a road used by locals only.' [Bob Christey]
    
    COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
    The avenue of honour at The Sisters is one of an important collection of avenues (and rows) of honour planted in Moyne Shire to honour soldiers who died in World War I. The avenue at The Sisters is less intact than other avenues in the Shire as the original planting has been removed. The choice of Eucalypts for the replanted avenue is an unusual species for an avenue of honour.

    Physical Conditions

    The Sisters Avenue of Honour - Physical Conditions

    Fair

    Integrity

    The Sisters Avenue of Honour - Integrity

    Minor Modifications

    Veterans Description for Public

    The Sisters Avenue of Honour - Veterans Description for Public

    The Sisters Avenue of Honour was planted in the 1920s in memory of the local men who died fighting in the First World War. The original cypresses, probably Monterey cypresses have been replaced with Eucalypt trees. Further research is required on the exact location and condition of this Avenue.

    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

    Moyne - Moyne Shire Heritage Study Stage 2

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

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