Victoria’s Mitchell Shire Council has put out a call for any family members of personnel honoured in the famous Wallan Avenue of Honour to be involved in establishing new name plaques.
Council says a grant was secured through the Victorian Government’s Veterans Affairs Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Grant Program to replace existing damaged name plates and ensure the survival of the plaques into the future.
“It is fantastic to see these plaques upgraded to reinstate this tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us all in World War 1. Hopefully, this project will encourage community interest, pride and reflection of Wallan’s military past,” said Mayor, Rhonda Sanderson.
“I’d encourage anyone who is related to any of those immortalised in the Avenue of Honour to come forward to be involved,” she said.
“We are a community that cares and remembers those who have served and those who are serving in defence of us all.”
All 53 of the plaques will be updated to be robust, vandal-proof and avoid decay overtime to ensure the military history of Mitchell Shire is maintained for generations to come.
They will be made from stainless steel and mounted in a small concrete footing at the base of the trees, one metre from the tree to minimise root damage.
The original plaques will be removed from the tree trunks to avoid any future damage to the trees.
The project is fully supported after extensive consultation with the Wallan Commemorative Committee who are the custodians of the Avenue of Honour.
“It is a privilege to have been given the opportunity to contribute to the Avenue of Honour Name Plaque project along with the recent enhancement and update to the Wallan Memorial and Memorial Square,” said Custodian of the Avenue of Honour, Tony Gill.
“The addition of new and updated name plaques to each of the 53 Avenue of Honour Trees restores the original community intentions, from the first planting in 1918, that it be a living memorial with each tree bearing the name of the 53 Veterans from the Wallan community who served in WW1.
The plaques look set to be in place for the 103-year anniversary of the original tree planting on August 31.
“I thank and commend the Mitchell Shire for their commitment and support in preserving the purpose of the Wallan Memorial, Memorial Square and Avenue of Honour that serves as a place of personal reflection, honour, respect and commemoration of our Veterans,” said Mr Gill.
“I take great pride in representing all past, present and future Veterans of the Australian Defence Force of the Wallan community in ensuring that those who have served and continue to serve their country, many of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice, are never forgotten.”
Council has also thanked the Wallan Commemorative Committee, the Kilmore Wallan RSL Sub-Branch and the Victorian Government for their assistance with the project.
