AN avenue of trees, planted in Milton during next year’s Anzac Centenary, would be a standing memorial to the local residents who fought and lost their lives during World War I.
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Milton Promotions Incorporated (MPI) has teamed up with arborist Patrick Faulconer on a commemorative project that could see up to 100 trees planted to form an Avenue of Honour in the village.
Commonwealth grants of $125,000 have been made available to each federal electorate for centenary projects and the group hopes to attract a slice of the Gilmore funding.
For more than 10 years Patrick has been researching the history of Milton’s original avenue of 76 trees planted along both sides of the Princes Highway between Corks Lane and Thomas Street in 1926.
With only five of the mature camphor laurel trees remaining, he is keen to see a replacement memorial to honour local servicemen and women.
“I can’t believe the trees were removed - it’s like taking away a headstone,” he said.
“They obviously got in the way of roads or power lines or views and were cut down.”
Patrick said a new memorial, in a more suitable location, would “re-honour” the efforts of the Milton residents who planted the original trees and also be a living memorial to those from the district that fought in World War I and battles ever since.
He said power lines were the main hindrance to finding an ideal location to plant the new avenue.
Patrick said public-owned property would be the best option to ensure the avenue was properly maintained and remained for future generations.
“Croobyar Road or Matron Porter Drive, near Frog’s Holla, would be great, but there’s the problem of power lines,” he said.
“It would be great if the utility company could put the power lines underground so the project could go ahead.
“We are looking at a number of potential sites.”
Milton Public School teacher and MPI member Louise Allen raised the idea with the town promotions group, which has thrown its support behind a community planting day.
She believes school children and family members of those who fought or were killed in battle should be encouraged to take part in a “community celebration” surrounding the planting which is proposed to be held on the first weekend in April, 2015.
MPI president Andrew Mathews said the group was keen to hear from people who would like to be involved in the project, including family members and community groups.
Patrick said it would be great if a local name was associated with every tree planted.
“It’s very moving when you associate a name to each tree,” he said.
“An Avenue of Honour gives you a sense of numbers and the trees represent soldiers, standing there on parade.
“There’s a really big message behind this.”
He said a native species, such as the Illawarra Flame Tree, would create an impressive memorial, similar to the original avenue that, if it remained, would be “a hell of an entry to our town”.
To be involved, provide history or suggest a site, email avenueofhonour@miltonnsw.info
