AVENUE OF HONOUR

HAMILTON HIGHWAY MORTLAKE, MOYNE SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Register

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Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    AVENUE OF HONOUR - History

    HISTORY

    CONTEXTUAL HISTORY

    Since the early 1900s, commemorative avenues of trees have been planted in Australia and internationally to honour those who have served in wartime. Becoming commonly known as 'avenues of honour', they were first planted in Victoria at Horsham and Apsley to the west of the state in 1902, to commemorate soldiers who fought in the Boer War. During and after World War I, avenues of honour were particularly popular in Victoria with some 218 memorial avenues planted throughout the state. Victoria has the largest number of avenues of honour of any state or territory in Australia.

    From the 1850s, there was a civic movement in Australia to create parks, gardens and tree-lined streets in order to beautify and improve the amenity of towns. This was strengthened with the introduction of Arbour Day in Australia in 1889, a day when coordinated tree plantings took place in local communities. These days were very popular in rural communities and local school children were often involved in the plantings. Tree plantings of a commemorative nature also took place in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Trees were often planted in public spaces by both local and visiting dignitaries at official ceremonies to commemorate special occasions such as royal events and the opening of new buildings. From the mid-nineteenth century, royal tours to Australia often included the planting of commemorative trees.

    Commemorative tree plantings also took place in the nineteenth century and twentieth centuries in Australia. Trees were often planted in public spaces by both local and visiting dignitaries at official ceremonies to commemorate special occasions such as royal events and the opening of new buildings. From the mid-nineteenth century, royal tours to Australia often included the planting of commemorative trees.

    World War I had an immense impact on Australia, more than any other event since British settlement, with over 200,000 Australians killed or injured in just four years. This tragedy pervaded all communities and resulted in commemoration in a number of different ways. This included honour boards, war memorial statues and monuments and the planting of trees to form an avenue of honour, with each tree planted to commemorate a person who served, no matter their rank. Considered a symbol of hope for the future, trees had the additional benefit of beautifying towns and the surrounding countryside, particularly in Australia where the landscape was regarded as being largely undeveloped. The majority of avenues of honour were planted along major roads where they received maximum public exposure and their distinctive form became important aesthetic elements along the main roads of small towns in country Victoria. A range of different tree species were used, more commonly exotic species such as elms, oaks and cypress, and occasionally native species such as eucalypts.

    Unlike most types of memorials, the planting of a commemorative avenue of trees enabled entire communities to become involved in commemorating those involved in the war. This was encouraged by an official initiative from the State Recruiting Committee of Victoria, which wrote to all municipalities and shires in 1917 recommending that an assurance should be given to every intending recruit that 'his name will be memorialised in an Avenue of Honour'. As a result Victoria became the heartland of such avenues as they were promoted early and strongly, and a total of some 218 avenues were planted to commemorate World War I in Victoria.

    The first avenue of honour identified in Victoria to commemorate World War I was planted at Eurack (VHR H2101) in the Western District of the state in May 1916. This was a single row of twenty Dutch elms with white crosses containing name plaques placed at the foot of each tree. The largest avenue was planted at Ballarat (VHR H2089) from 1917 to 1919. This avenue comprised over 3000 trees of various species which were planted to commemorate the soldiers and some nurses from the district who served their country. This avenue appeared to influence other communities in the surrounding districts to plant similar avenues.

    The avenues were symbols of a national cause of commemoration but also allowed individual communities to express their local identity and independence. Together with honour boards, this form of memorial allowed communities to create immediate memorials, and avenues preceded the erection of war-related monuments and statues, often by a significant number of years. A high level of community participation was generally required for both raising funds and planting the trees. Trees were often donated and planted by voluntary labour and as part of a local civic ceremony. The local council and progress association were often the instigators of the projects and many meetings included discussions to determine the location of the avenue, the tree type, the form of tree guard and the provision, type and arrangement of name plaques. Local councils often contributed financially to the avenue and frequently the community was also asked to contribute. Once the location was decided, numerous working bees were held to prepare for the final planting of the trees. The local Red Cross societies were involved in providing refreshments for these occasions.

    Commemoration after World War II was more commonly utilitarian, with the building of memorial halls and swimming pools and the planting of gardens in Victoria. Avenues of Honour declined in popularity however some existing avenues were extended after the war and a small number of avenues were planted. The latter included the Calder Woodburn Memorial Avenue (VHR H1975) which was planted along the Goulburn Valley Highway between 1945 and 1949 by Mr J L F Woodburn as a memorial to his son Calder and other local servicemen who did not return from the war. It comprised a total planting of 2,457 Australian native trees. A very small number of commemorative avenues were planted in association with later wars such as the Vietnam War.

    In total, over 300 avenues of honour were planted in Victoria to commemorate service personnel in the twentieth century. The majority of these, approximately 218, were planted as World War I memorials between 1917 and 1921. This compares with significantly fewer avenues in other Australian states, with well less than this number planted in the other states combined.

    
    HISTORY OF PLACE

    The planning of an avenue of honour for Mortlake was clearly recorded in the Mortlake Dispatch on 1 August 1919 with the official planting and opening ceremony planned for 5 August that year. The Mortlake Progress Association was responsible for the planning of the memorial avenue to the soldiers from the district along the selected site on the Darlington Road, running north-east from the township of Mortlake. With the help and cooperation of the Council nearly 100 trees were acquired for the avenue and the ground was prepared and tree guards constructed under the supervision of the Progress Association.

    A request was made for the closure of shops on the afternoon of the planting and relatives and friends of the soldiers, and the returned soldiers themselves, were invited to attend and to plant their allocated tree. All plantings were tabulated so, at a later date, individual name plates could be made. It was intended that these would initially be placed on the guard of each tree, and later removed to the trunk.

    The following week the Mortlake Dispatch, 6 August 1919, reported the opening of the Avenue of Honour as follows:

    To perpetuate the memory of those brave young men from Mortlake who made the supreme sacrifice, and also those who responded to the clarion call of the Mother country, an avenue of honour has been established commencing from Montgomery's Corner on the Darlington Road and extending as far as Ball's Cutting, on both sides of the road. Planting was carried out last Tuesday and altogether 85 trees were planted. To complete the avenue another 50 trees at least are required so every man who enlisted from the town may be represented.

    There was a large gathering present when Councillor T Montgomery delivered a short but inspiring address. He congratulated the people generally, the Progress Association and the Shire Council.

    The first trees planted would be in memory of the honoured dead. Those trees would always be held in sacred memory by the relatives, who will tend and care for the trees in the years that were to follow.

    ..........The first tree would be planted in memory of Private Wilfred McDonald, who was the first soldier to give his life for the empire. The first 31 trees would represent the fallen and would be planted by relatives. In all 84 [85] trees were planted, and the matter of continuing the avenue to include all names of those who enlisted is under consideration for the near future.

    In the Western District, pines and Cypress had been used extensively since the 1870s to form wind breaks, and so were natural choices for avenues of honour in that area. Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) trees were selected to form the Avenue of Honour at Mortlake. The availability and proven hardiness and longevity of the species presumably influenced this choice, although the sombre dark foliage, and the association of the species with death and melancholy, may have aided the selection.

    From the number of trees presently contained in the Avenue of Honour, it would appear likely that further trees were planted after the initial planting to enable the commemoration of additional World War I participants. The avenue was continued along the Darlington Road to the north-east of Mortlake with the addition of some 60 trees, resulting in an avenue of some 146 trees. The avenue was extended again, possibly after World War II, and the avenue grew to a total of about 196 trees.

    Name plaques were removed from individual trees in the World War I section in 2011 and replaced with granite name plaques.

    KEY REFERENCES USED TO PREPARE ASSESSMENT

    S Cockerell. 'Summary of the history and state of Australia's Avenues of Honour', unpublished thesis, 2007

    J Haddow. 'Avenues of Honour in Victoria', University of Melbourne 1987

    J Wadsley Planning and Heritage Consultancy, 'Conservation Management Plan - Ballarat Avenue of Honour and Arch of Victory', prepared for the City of Ballarat, 2014

    D Rowe, 'War related heritage in Victoria: a report; Botanic features: Avenues of Honour', Dept Planning and Community Development, Melbourne 2011

    Victorian War Heritage Inventory at www.vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/vhd/veterans

    National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Database

    Context, Moyne Shire Study, 2006

    Camperdown Chronicle, 7 August 1919, p 4

    Mortlake Dispatch, 29 July 1919, 1 August , 6 August 1919

    Personal correspondence with Mr C Proctor, Mortlake Historical Society, 8 October 2014 and Mr M Hampson, RSL Mortlake, 14 October 2014

    Plaque Citation

    AVENUE OF HONOUR - Plaque Citation

    This Avenue of Honour was planted in 1919 by the local community for the Mortlake district with each of the Monterey Cypress representing a local enlisted serviceman or woman. It is one of more than 200 World War I avenues planted in Victoria.

    Assessment Against Criteria

    AVENUE OF HONOUR - Assessment Against Criteria

    Criterion

    The Avenue of Honour, Mortlake is of historical and aesthetic significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:

    Criterion A Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria's cultural history

    Criterion E Importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics

    Why is it significant?

    The Avenue of Honour, Mortlake is significant at the State level for the following reasons:

    The Avenue of Honour, Mortlake is historically significant for exemplifying rural Victoria's reaction to both World War I and II. It is significant as a fine example of this important form of memorial planting in Victoria which commemorated individual sacrifice during both wars, which is rare in Victoria. It is representative of many plantings that appeared in Australia, particularly during World War I, commemorating all those who enlisted for service in an egalitarian form where each individual, regardless of rank, was equally recognised for their service. [

    Criterion A]

    The Avenue of Honour, Mortlake is aesthetically significant as an outstanding planting of 191 Monterey Cypress which is an extensive, largely intact and highly distinctive commemorative planting. The uniform planting of densely foliaged trees on both sides of the road produces a dramatic and continuous avenue along the north-eastern approach into the town of Mortlake, which contrasts markedly with the pastoral surroundings. The avenue is an impressive and imposing visual and cultural landmark and a key landscape feature of the district. [

    Criterion E]

    The Avenue of Honour, Mortlake is also significant for the following reasons, but not at the State level:

    The Avenue of Honour, Mortlake is socially significant at a local level for its relationship with 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, along with the loss and sorrow experienced in small rural areas such as the Mortlake district.

    Permit Exemptions

    AVENUE OF HONOUR - Permit Exemptions

    General Exemptions:

    General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

    Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

    Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

    Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

    Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

    Specific Exemptions:

    PERMIT EXEMPTIONS

    It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42(4) of the Heritage Act). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.66 of the Heritage Act).

    General Condition: 1.
    All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.

    General Condition: 2.
    Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible.

    General Condition: 3.
    All works should be informed by a Conservation or Tree Management Plan prepared for the place.

    General Conditions: 4.
    Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

    General Condition: 5.
    Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.

    Vegetation Exemptions:

    . Removal of dead or dangerous trees and emergency tree works to maintain public safety and to protect buildings and structures providing the Executive Director is notified within 21 days of the removal or works occurring.

    . Management and maintenance of trees, including formative and remedial pruning, removal of deadwood, pest and disease control, cabling, mowing, weed control and mulching.

    . In the event of loss or removal of trees, replanting with Monterey Cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa formerly known as Cupressus macrocarpa) trees.

    . Removal of tree seedlings and suckers but excluding herbicide use.

    . Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Pruning of amenity trees AS 4373.

    . Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Protection of trees on development sites AS 4970.

    . Removal of plants listed as prohibited and controlled weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

    Hard Element Exemptions:

    . Repair, maintenance, replacement and removal of existing structures and hard landscape elements such as driveways and crossovers, stone and concrete edging, fences and gates.

    . All road and pavement works to the Hamilton Highway (Darlington Road) and any intersecting road within the extent of registration from shoulder to shoulder.

    . Traffic management and safety works including removal and installation of traffic and directional signs, reflector posts, and line marking.

    . Minor repair, maintenance and conservation by a qualified conservator to memorial name plaques in a manner which preserves the cultural heritage significance of the place.

    Permit Exemption Policy

    AVENUE OF HONOUR - Permit Exemption Policy

    Preamble

    The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.

    The extent of registration of the Avenue of Honour, Mortlake on the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 2342 including the land, road, trees and plaques. Under the Heritage Act 1995 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.

    If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.

    Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42 of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.66 of the Heritage Act).

    Conservation management plans
    The Moyne Shire Council is currently preparing a Tree Management Plan for all Avenues of Honour in the Shire. This is expected to be finalised and in operation in 2015.

    Cultural heritage significance

    Overview of significance

    The cultural heritage significance of the Avenue of Honour, Mortlake is as an intact and fine commemorative planting that symbolises the response of a rural community to World War I. Each tree is dedicated to an individual soldier and contributes to the significance of the Avenue of Honour as a whole. It is significant as an extensive and uniform avenue of Monterey Cypress and as an impressive landscape feature.

    a) All of the features listed here are of primary cultural heritage significance in the context of the place. The features of cultural heritage significance are shown in red on the diagram. A permit is required for most works or alterations. See Permit Exemptions section for specific permit exempt activities:

    . All the trees that are contained within the land identified in Diagram 2342

    . All name plaques

    b) The following features are of no cultural heritage significance. See Permit Exemptions section for specific permit exempt activities:

    . property fences

    . road signs

    . road safety posts.

    Protection of trees and memorial area

    All works should ensure the protection of the trees and the aesthetic value of the avenue street plantings. The following works and activities within the road reserve will require the approval of the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria. An arborist's report is likely to be required to determine the impact of the works on the trees.

    . Excavation works

    . Drainage works

    . New Driveways, culverts and crossovers

    . Works associated with water, gas, power, sewer or similar services.

    Any changes to the name plaques, other than minor repairs, maintenance or conservation by a qualified conservator, will require the approval of the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria. The retention of remaining original name plaques, held in storage at the RSL in Mortlake, is encouraged.

    Parking within the root zone of the trees should be discouraged.

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