Kingston Avenue of Honour
Explore Central Victoria's tree-lined street paying tribute to its service men and women
By National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
This site is part of the Traditional Land of the Dja Dja Wurrung people
Kingston Avenue of Honour, A. C. McKinnon plaque (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National 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.
Kingston Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Nine of the trees along the Avenue commemorate women who served as nurses. In 2014 the service of these women in the Great War was acknowledged by their descendants and members of the Friends of the Avenue placing large red bows on each nurse's tree.
Although the trees are predominantly Dutch Elms, The Avenue also contains English and Scotch Elms, as well as two Lombardy Poplars and one Ash Tree. Five trees remain unnamed.
Kingston Avenue of Honour, Dutch Elms summer (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Elms are a common tree used in the planting of Victorian Avenues of Honour. In mythology they have been known to have a connection with the underworld and being planted on the graves of war heroes.
E. O. Archibald plaque with maltese cross, Kingston Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The Avenue was planted in 1918 to recognise all those in the district that enlisted in World War I. Plaques were attached to tree guards identifying individual service officers.
Plaques that contained an additional Maltese cross signified those who had died at war.
This tree is dedicated to Ernest Ormond Archibald, who served in the 8th Infantry Battalion. He died aged 23 in 1915.
Kingston Avenue of Honour (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
At the time of planting, Kingston was the administrative centre of the Shire of Creswick. Over time the area became less populated and today the continuous Avenue contrasts dramatically with the quiet pastoral surroundings.
Kingston Avenue of Honour, Northern stone obelisk (2022) by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The Memorial Obelisk lists each tree and the service person they were dedicated to. The original obelisk rededicated the Avenue in 2000, but was replaced in 2017 after it became illegible.
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Explore Kingston Avenue of Honour
Starting near Victoria Road on the edge of Kingston, travel south towards the Midland Highway and discover the ~2.9km stretch of memorial trees.
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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