Avenue of honour

Avenue of Honour is the term given to a memorial avenue of trees, with each tree symbolising a person.

The tradition, which originated in the goldfields region of Victoria, Australia is an important part of Australian culture.

Most avenues are in remembrance of those who fought or died war, particularly the Great War - World War I (1914-1918), from the town in which the avenue was planted. Since soldiers were grouped by the place they were recruited, a military defeat often meant all of the men of eligible age from the town were killed in the same battle. Many of the avenue's trees include metal plaques naming the victims.

Many of these avenues now feature large, established trees and exotic species.

Although many such avenues have since been affected by development, the phenomenon is now recognised by the National Trust of Australia and examples are largely protected.

List of Avenues of Honour

*Ballarat - oldest (1917) and largest (22 kilometres & 3,912 trees)
*Bacchus Marsh
*Booroopki
*Lysterfield
*Lakes Entrance
*Woodend North
*Buchan South

Avenues of Honour outside Victoria

*Hobart
*Cowra
*Albany, Armadale

External links

* [http://www.ballarat.com/avenue.htm Ballarat Avenue of Honour]
* [http://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/hotspur/avenue.htm Hotspur Avenue of Honour]
* [http://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/goroke/booroopki.htm Borookpi Avenue of Honour]
* [http://www.skp.com.au/memorials/pages/20173.htm Cowra Avenue of Honour]
* [http://www.skp.com.au/memorials/pages/30098.htm Lakes Entrance Avenue of Honour]
* [http://www.rlcnews.org.au/stories/clubs_and_organisations/historic_lysterfield_avenue_of_honour.php Lysterfield Avenue of Honour]
* [http://www.mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/limoges/web/index.html Buchan South Avenue of Honour]