Restoration works have begun at two avenues of honour in central Victoria, with the Andrews Labor Government supporting efforts to revive these significant sites for commemorating the service of local veterans.

Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane visited Ballarat to mark the beginning of the restoration of the two memorial avenues of trees, at Ballarat East and Tourello Road.

The City of Ballarat is conducting the works, supported by more than $15,000 of funding from the government’s Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour grant program.

The program provides grants of up to $50,000 for projects restoring or updating community war memorials, to ensure the veteran community’s service and sacrifice are recognised across our state.

The Ballarat East Avenue of Honour was planted in 1917 in memory of those who served in World War One, with more than 100 trees planted at the eastern end of Ballarat on Melbourne Road, leading from the Caledonian Bridge.

With only a handful of trees currently remaining on one side of the road, the government funding will be used to plant 72 trees along what is believed to be the original route of the memorial before freeway construction was completed many years ago. Site signage will also be improved.

The funding will also be used to conduct minor ground works at the Tourello Road Avenue of Honour, which was originally planted in 1920, as well as help replace 15 English Walnut trees at the site.

Volunteers from the Brown Hill Progress Association and the Ballarat Lions Club are also supporting the project.

For more information about grant programs for the veteran community, please visit vic.gov.au/grants-support-and-commemorate-veterans.

Quote attributable to Minister of Veterans Shaun Leane

“It’s fantastic to see these important restorative works on two of Ballarat’s iconic Avenues of Honour commence. These works help to ensure the service and sacrifice of local veterans continues to be remembered and honoured.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“This is an important announcement for our community, and I’d like to thank Faye Parry, John Dyke and Tony Marshall who have been instrumental in advocating for this funding to restore the Ballarat East Avenue of Honour. This will allow future generations to understand the significance of the ANZACs close to home.”

Quotes attributable to City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Daniel Moloney

“It is fantastic to see some of our community groups planting additional trees at the Ballarat East Avenue of Honour, 105 years after the original planting in 1917. What an extraordinary gesture to the history of the Avenue.”

“These Avenues are an integral part of our history, and it is important to preserve them for future generations to learn from.”