Planting the Avenue of Honour Children from East Doncaster State School with Mr August Zerbe, planting the Avenue of Honour commemorating the local soldiers who died in the 1914-18 War. The Avenue of Honour was planted along Blackburn Road, East Doncaster, on Arbor Day 1921 and 1922.
In 1914, the majority of residents in the Shire; made their living in one way or another from fruit growing. If a man . went to war, not only was he risking his life for his country, but when he returned he was apt to find his property neglected and his livelihood ruined.
On 23 July 1915, the President of the Doncaster Shire Council heard a deputation from the Doncaster Absent Soldiers Orchard Property Protection Committee. Mr Thomas Petty J.P. the chief spokesman said that at a previous meeting at the home of Cr May, this problem had been discussed. The idea that was put forward was that a man would receive authorization from the Shire Council to take charge of an absent soldier's orchard and carry on the work needed. At the end of the season, if it ran at a profit the owner would receive benefit, but the Council would absorb any loss if loss occurred. As most of the soldiers were young men, often in debt, time at the war would have a disastrous effect on their financial situation.
A number of men unable to go to war because of their age were prepared to give their services free to assist the absent soldiers. Proper records would be kept, and the Absent Soldiers Committee would ask the Doncaster Shire Council to organize and finance this scheme.
The Premier of Victoria had received a great many suggestions on the farm problems from all over the State; however, the Doncaster growers felt their situation was different from that of other farmers in that soft fruits were perishable and are picked in a limited season. This motion was put to the Council and the plan was successfully put into effect.
In 1915, the fruitgrowers were touched by the plight of the Belgian people. The Shire President announced in that year that local fruitgrowers would donate gifts of fruit to be sold to aid the Belgian Relief Fund. Cr John Tully organized this appeal and subsequently a consignment of 110 cases of fruit subscribed by 33 growers was despatched to Sydney for sale.
Other groups in the community were also very active in the 1914-1918 war effort.
Ladies auxiliaries were formed to knit socks and other comforts for the soldiers. On Thursday 15th July 1915, a Patriotic Social was held under the auspices of the Oddfellows Lodge. The Box Hill Reporter (local paper at that time) describes the very successful euchre party and the auction of a beautiful table centre presented by Mrs Cyril Barker. This, together with an oil painting raised over £10. Altogether, the social night raised nearly £30. Many similar occasions produced many garments, which were sent to a central depot for distribution to the soldiers.
The Doncaster Rifle Club took its part in the preparation for war. Under the title of "Prepare For War", the club advertised in October 1914 for new members to join the club and learn marksmanship at the Doncaster State School on Saturdays between 3.00 and 6.00pm.
In 1916, The Shire Hall rooms were used for evening classes for those wishing to become non-commissioned officers.
The Shire Council addressed the problem of reemployment of returned soldiers the same year. A notice was posted asking people to employ a soldier and to advise if anyone had work suitable for returned soldiers.
Throughout the four years of World War 1, Doncaster and Templestowe Council and Shire ratepayers responded loyally to many requests for assistance, contributing to funds for soldiers, nurses and veterans, both in Australia and overseas.
Source: Judith Leaney writing in 2015-03 DTHS newsletter
Avenue of Honour East Doncaster Avenue of Honour, looking south along Blackburn Road from near Anderson's Creek Road. Pupils from the Doncaster East State School, planted the Avenue of Honour in 1921 and 1922, as a memorial for local soldiers killed during the 1914-18 War.
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