AVENUE OF HONOUR

HONOUR AVENUE MACEDON, MACEDON RANGES SHIRE

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.

Victorian Heritage Register

image002.jpg

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.

    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 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

    Minutes of a public meeting held at the Macedon Working Men's Hall on 1 May 1918 record that Macedon and Upper Macedon combined to establish an avenue to honour those who enlisted from the district in World War I. The committee comprised members of the Working Men's Club and residents of Upper Macedon. It was decided that the site for the avenue would be Mile Road in Macedon, from the cemetery towards the property Dreamthorpe, owned by Judge Henry Hodges, in Mt Macedon Road. Located between the Macedon Railway Station and the Mt Macedon Road, this selected route was travelled by a great number of visitors and residents.

    There was considerable debate over the choice of the most appropriate tree species for the Avenue of Honour. The proximity of the Macedon area to Melbourne made it a popular summer retreat for wealthy businessmen from the late nineteenth century onwards, and by 1918 many extensive gardens had been established with displays of exotic tree species. These displays would have influenced the selection of the pin oak (Quercus palustris) for the Avenue of Honour, with its spectacular autumn colour, although the species was recorded at the time of planting as 'the handsome scarlet oak variety'.

    A list of those from the district who were entitled to have a tree planted in the planned Avenue of Honour at Macedon was included in the Woodend Star on 22 June 1918, and a request was made for any additional names to be forwarded to the organisers. 154 servicemen and women were allocated individual trees by ballot and these were listed in the Woodend Star on 17 August 1918 and on a board displayed at the official opening.

    The Avenue of Honour was completed and officially opened on 10 August 1918 after a period of three months preparatory work, generally undertaken by community volunteers. After vegetation was removed from the selected site, volunteers attended regular working bees to dig holes 6 feet in diameter, remove and replace soil and lay drainage pipes. Triangular sawn timber tree guards were erected and the majority of trees were planted before the official ceremony, with four retained for planting on the official day. Community donations for establishment of the avenue totalled £ 100.

    The opening ceremony of the Macedon memorial avenue was reported in detail in the Argus, Australasian and the Woodend Star. An estimated 700 people attended the ceremony and a list of well known attendees was included in the Australasian on 17 August 1918. The President of the Gisborne Shire Council, Rev D G Baillie, the Premier of the State, Mr Lawson and the Federal and State members, Mr Lister MHR and the Hon A Robertson MLA were present and they planted the four remaining trees. Mr Lawson planted a tree commemorating Lieutenant Arthur Grumont, who was the first to enlist from the district on 21 August 1914; Mr Lister planted a tree for Sergeant George Green who was the first from the district to make the supreme sacrifice when he fell at the Gallipoli landing; Hon A Robertson planted a tree for Carl Cogger, the second from the district to enlist and Mr Baillie planted a tree for James Reid, who had close associations with the district.

    The Premier addressed the gathering and congratulated the voluntary workers on their work to bring the avenue to its present state. It was reported that:

    he hoped the avenue would act not only as an expression of their admiration and reverence for the men who had done so much for them, but as an incentive to future endeavour of strong purpose and to determination to continue until those objects for which they had entered the war were realised and made safe. ....They owed a debt to their men which they would never be able to pay in their time.... and these avenues of honour, and such like, would serve to remind the future generations of their obligations to the men, and women too, who were now doing so much for mankind.........Let this avenue, expressing their admiration and respect for the men who had gone forth as soldiers from the district, inspire the rest of the community to public service and patriotic endeavour......I know that you will regard it as a sacred duty to look after this avenue, care for the trees, and remember the grand purpose underlying the whole movement. [Woodend Star, 17 August 1918, p 2]

    The Returned Soldiers' Band attended the ceremony, certificates of service were presented to returned soldiers by the Premier and refreshments were served from a rustic structure formed from gum sapling supports and decorated with wattle blossom. The Woodend Star, 17 August 1918, reported that a 'striking display of bunting' and a 'fine display of emblems from the Empire and her Allies' decorated the town and the avenue.

    In December 1918 it was reported that the trees in the avenue were in full leaf, although a few trees had died and were to be replaced the following season. It was also reported at this time that it was intended to extend the avenue along Mile Road, presumably to the west, however this did not eventuate. The Macedon Avenue Honour Committee continued to meet on irregular occasions until the care of the avenue was handed to the Shire Council on 1 November 1933.

    Some trees in the Avenue of Honour were damaged by fire during the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983. A number of trees were subsequently replaced, however further renewal was required ten years later and a tree replacement programme was established by the Gisborne Shire Council in 1994, using acorns produced by trees in the avenue.

    The erection of memorial cairns in association with the Avenue of Honour was discussed for a number of years however they were considered too expensive. Cairns were finally constructed at both ends of the avenue in 1994. A large cairn was placed at the east end containing a plaque listing all those represented in the Avenue of Honour and their associated tree locations, and a smaller cairn with plaque was placed at the west end.

    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

    Trevor Budge & Associates, 'Macedon Ranges Cultural Heritage and Landscape Study', 1994

    Woodend Star, 22 June 1918, p 2, 'Macedon Avenue of Honour. Names of district's volunteers'

    Argus, 12 August 1918, p 8, 'Avenue of Honour. Mile Road, Macedon'

    Woodend Star, 17 August 1918, p 2, 'Macedon Avenue of Honour. Fine Tribute to the District Volunteers. Official opening by the state Premier'

    Australasian, 17 August 1918, p 42, 'Macedon's Avenue of Honour'

    Woodend Star, 7 December 1918, p 2, 'Macedon'

    Numerous newspaper articles, letters and images pertaining to the Avenue of Honour, held by the Gisborne & District Historical Society

    Plaque Citation

    AVENUE OF HONOUR - Plaque Citation

    This Avenue of Honour was planted in 1918 by the local community for the Macedon district with each tree, predominantly pin oak, 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, Macedon is significant at the State level for the following reasons:

    The Avenue of Honour, Macedon is historically significant for exemplifying rural Victoria's reaction to World War I. It is significant as a fine example of this important form of memorial planting in Victoria which commemorated individual sacrifice during World War I. It is representative of many plantings that appeared in Victoria, 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. The two war memorials are important for their associations with the Avenue of Honour. [

    Criterion A]

    The Avenue of Honour, Macedon is aesthetically significant as an extensive and highly distinctive planting of 154 Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) trees. The uniform planting of trees on both sides of the road for a distance of one kilometre produces a continuous avenue of trees, which is particularly dramatic in autumn. Despite the destruction of a number of original trees, replanting has resulted in the maintenance of the impressive and imposing visual and cultural landmark and key landscape feature of the district. [

    Criterion E]

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

    The Avenue of Honour, Macedon 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 Macedon 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

    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 Conservation Management Plans 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 Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), or English Oak (Quercus robur) at the end of the rows.

    . 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 Honour Avenue 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 monuments and 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, Macedon on the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 2344 including the land, roads, trees, memorials 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 Macedon Ranges Shire Council is encouraged to prepare a Tree Management Plan.

    Cultural heritage significance

    Overview of significance

    The cultural heritage significance of the Avenue of Honour, Macedon 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 pin oak 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. 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 2344

    . All memorial monuments and associated 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 memorial cairns, other than minor repairs, maintenance and conservation by a qualified conservator, will require the approval of the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria.

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

• Location map
• Explore related places
  • Show:
    -- select -- Nearby Places Same era

  • 
    Quercus robur 'Fastigiata'

    

    National Trust
  • 
    Quercus palustris

    

    National Trust
  • Macedon Avenue of Honour

    

    Vic. War Heritage Inventory H2066

  • 
    1 Brockenshire Street

    

    Yarra City
  • 
    1 Bundara Street

    

    Yarra City
  • 
    1 Forster Street

    

    Hobsons Bay City
• Public contributions

  Images See all images

  • 

    Avenue Of Honour