Ballarat Avenue of Honour
Mrs W. D. Thompson was the driving force behind Victoria's longest living-memorial, which honours the service officers of Ballarat
By National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
This site is part of the traditional land of the Wadawurrung people
Avenue of Honour, Ballarat by State Library of VictoriaNational Trust of Australia (Victoria)
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.
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.
Sturt Street, Ballarat Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Thompson suggested honouring the service officers of the Ballarat area. She went on to become the driving force behind the Ballarat Avenue of Honour, leading a fundraising effort along with 500 women employed by E. Lucas & Co.
Lucas Girls' commemoration, Ballarat Arch of Victory (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The ‘Lucas girls’, as they were known, raised £2,000 to plant a tree for each person enlisted, and the planting was completed in June 1919.
The Arch Of Victory, Western Highway, Ballarat, Vic. (C1920-1954) by State Library of VictoriaNational Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Following its completion, the ‘Lucas girls’ and Mrs Thompson set out again to raise a further £2600 for the Arch of Victory, to provide an entrance to the Avenue.
Ballarat Avenue of Honour, Dutch Elm trees (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The trees were numbered and allocated to individuals as close as possible to their order of enlistment, and a returned soldier was employed to attend to them.
I. R. Parker tree plaque (2022/2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Ballarat Arch of Victory, summer (2022/2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Designed by H.H. Smith, Head of the Art School at the School of Mines Ballarat, the arch was erected in 1920, crowned by the rising sun symbol of the Australian Commonwealth Military forces.
Avenue of Honour Arch, Ballarat (1945/1954) by State Library of VictoriaNational Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The Avenue of Honour, with the Arch of Victory, was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on 3 June 1920.
Tree dedications list, Ballarat Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The Ballarat Avenue of Honour and Arch of Victory are emblems of civic commitment to the war effort, and their association is unique in Victoria. It is the longest example of this form of memorial with 3800 trees over a length of 22 kilometres of roadway.
Ballarat Arch of Victory by City of BallaratNational Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Over the course of the 20th Century, this outstanding designed landscape and living memorial has seen continual use for reflection to the Ballarat community, descendants of those commemorated by the trees, and the Returned Services League.
Ballarat Avenue of Honour, summer (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
In 1959 a tribute tree was planted at the Learmonth end of the Avenue in memory of Mrs W.D. Thompson.
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Explore the Ballarat Avenue of Honour
Image credits: Ballarat City Council
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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