Eurack Avenue of Honour
Victoria's first living memorial to commemorate the soldiers of WWI was planted by local school children in 1916
By National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
This site is part of the traditional land of the Gulidjan people
The Eurack Avenue of Honour is believed to be the first planted in Victoria in commemoration of soldiers serving in World War I, on 28 July 1916.
Replacement tree guard, Eurack Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria) National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
These living memorials are a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of war on families and communities, and a symbol of how grief can manifest within a community to ensure that those who lost their lives in the line of service are remembered.
In Australia, those who served in war have often been commemorated by rows of trees, known as Avenues of Honour . The practice was popularised during and after World War I, particularly in the state of Victoria, where 472 Avenues were planted.
Eurack Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria) National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Unlike most Avenues of Honour in Victoria, which are distinguished by evenly spaced trees lining either side of a road, the memorial at Eurack is a single row of Dutch Elms.
Lieutenant G.L. Pentreath plaque, Eurack Avenue of Honour (2022/2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria) National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The initiative for the planting came from the head teacher of the Eurack school, Lieutenant George Pentreath, who himself enlisted to serve in World War I in July 1916.
Replacement trees, Eurack Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria) National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The Avenue was planted in a prominent position along the south side of the Eurack Road, in front of the school, general store, post office and church. 26 soldiers from the Western District enlisted for the war, including six brothers.
Lord Kitchener plaque, Eurack Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria) National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Each tree is marked with a white painted concrete cross bearing the name of the soldier(s) it commemorates inscribed on a black marble plate. One such cross commemorates Lord Kitchener, the British Secretary of State for War who was killed a month before the Avenue was planted.
Single row of Dutch Elms Eurack Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria) National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The central location of the Eurack Avenue of Honour and the small number of trees it contains are important indicators of the significant impact the war had on rural towns. With only a small population, lives lost to war had an enormous impact on these close-knit communities.
Eurack Avenue of Honour, centenary plaque (2022/2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria) National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Explore the Eurack Avenue of Honour
The National Trust Register of Significant Trees recognises individual trees, avenues and important stands as valuable community assets that must be preserved. Since 1982, more than 1,200 significant trees have been registered across Victoria. Read more at https://trusttrees.org.au/
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