A history of the Avenue of Honor in Euroa

The idea of planting an Avenue as a Memorial originated in the 1920's. Costs acted as a barrier to construction. In 1935, following a meeting of RSL branch the Shire President, Tom Nolan, was asked to call a public meeting to discuss the project. The meeting was convened and held on Monday July 15th, 1935.

The Memorial idea was debated and adopted and an executive committee of citizens from Shire Council, RSL, Band, Fire Brigade, ANA, Oddfellows, IOR, Druids and traders was constituted to carry it into effect. An appeal for funds was made to the public and co-operation of the Shire sought.”

The plane trees were donated by the Shire.

The Committee met at regular intervals. When funds became available the site was cleared and trees were planted and name plates erected in alphabetical order along both sides the old Hume Highway entrance to the town.

Councillor Nolan asserted the trees were to provide an individual memorial to each fallen district soldier and the ceremony of commemoration, and the dedication of a Memorial Avenue was to  “impress” (sic) the phrase “Lest We Forget.”

The guest of honor, the Governor’s wife, Lady Huntingfield, spoke referring to the sacrifice the families made and that the men died defending a righteous cause.

She then dedicated the Avenue to 133 men. Over the decades, the Avenue fell into disrepair; trees died and and plaques were lost. 

Past RSL President Frank Meighan had pushed for a refurbishment for some time.  Frank and myself approached the Shire on behalf of The Honouring our Heroes Committee, The RSL and The Historical Society. We informed Bruce Andrews, the Engineer at that time, that we had funds to rebuild the Avenue. The money came from a grant applied for by the RSL,  the Euroa Action group, Rotary and some individual donations. Over $60,000 was raised.

We only received support and encouragement from the Shire.  Concrete plinths were donated by Violet Town Concrete Industries. Sixty flowering red gums were planted to replace the lost plane trees. We could not put back the trees in their original location. On the 28/10/2012 the Avenue was rededicated.

Eighteen families lost more than one son. Eighty seven men were aged under 25, 117 were single. Very few were professionals, 39 described themselves as labourers, a further 23 had some attachment to the land. They were born in 51 different locations, some interstate. 45 were born in Euroa, 8 in Strathbogie and 10 in Violet Town. On enlistment they were living at 60 different locations. All but four were associated with the infantry.  Fifteen died while serving in the 22nd Battalion, ten in the 7th and 24th Battalions and 9 died serving in Albert Jacka’s 14th Battalion. Just two men died in Palestine.  Three died at sea, two in Victoria, 19 in Belgium, 2 in Egypt, 2 in England, 25 at Gallipoli and 72 in France. Further research has revealed the number of fallen to be in excess of 250.