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| Avenue of Honour, 1974: East Doncaster Avenue of Honor, looking south along Blackburn Road from near Anderson's Creek Road. The Avenue of Honour was planted by pupils from the Doncaster East Primary School, in 1921, as a memorial for East Doncaster soldiers killed during the 1914-18 War. DTHS dp0606 |
The Avenue of Honour
In 1920 right through the suburbs of Melbourne, War Memorials were being built. Honour Rolls being erected and Avenues of Honour planted.Pupils of East Doncaster School planted a row of Mahogany Gums to honour past pupils, relatives and friends who served in the 1914-18 War. The trees were set out in Blackburn Road from near May Street past the school to as far as the present Saxonwood Drive. Each tree was planted by a-pupil in honour of a member of the services. A sturdy tree guard, five feet high, was placed over each gum and the name of the soldier inscribed on a narrow brass plate attached to the guard. Mr. Daws built these, using pickets to match the school fence. The trees were placed out in the road.
In the 1920's there was ample room for traffic in Blackburn Road, but by the 1970's, when traffic became heavy, an extra lane was needed at that side of the road. It was decided that the trees would have to be removed. To replace the avenue Gums, this time Queensland Box were planted in Zerbe's Reserve in Saxonwood Drive.
In 1975, a plaque was unveiled, it read: "This Plantation of Trees Replaces the Avenue of Honour Which Was Planted in 1920 by The Pupils of the East Blackburn State School in Honour of Past Pupils, Relatives and Friends who served in the Great War 1914-18," Lest We Forget 1975.
After the planting was finished there were several trees over. These were given to families of children who took part.
One went to Eva Buck and was planted on their land, now Carbine Street, another went to the Aumann family in Smith's Road, Templestowe. When the Aumann's land was subdivided, the gum stood in a block No. 5 Bebs Court. The tree was preserved by Mr. & Mrs. Cilmi building their home to fit around it. Mrs. Cilmi now plans to place a plaque on her tree.
Among the children who took part in the ceremony in 1920 were Beatty Beavis, Doris, Jack & Ron Burrows, Rupert Zerbe, Vic Crouch, Emmy Daws, Cliff Forest and Ida Sell. Beatty Beavis planted a tree for Henry McKinley and the name on tree guard in the picture is Malcolm S. Kennedy.
1986 09 DTHS Newsletter
Zerbes Reserve. VHD-22471 Blackburn Road Doncaster East, Manningham City - Of regional botanical significance for its remnant stand of Eucalyptus cf. nortonii. The conifers form a local landmark. http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/22471 Plaque Inscription: Avenue of Honour: This plantation of trees replaces the Avenue of Honour which was planted in 1920 on Blackburn Road by the Pupils of the East Doncaster State School in Honour of Ppast students relatives and friends who served in the Great War 1914-1918. "Lest We Forget". unveiled by the Hon Sir Raymond Garrett AFC AIA MLC on Sunday 10th Ap 1978.
Zerbes Reserve. VHD-22471 Blackburn Road Doncaster East, Manningham City - Of regional botanical significance for its remnant stand of Eucalyptus cf. nortonii. The conifers form a local landmark. http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/22471
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