The Daylesford Avenue of Honour was progressively developed after the First World War starting from   Raglan Street and running to the Daylesford Cemetery as well as towards Glenlyon. More than 200 trees were planted by the Community. Avenues of Honour became a strong Australian tradition with more than 300 Avenues being planted, particularly in Victoria.

Daylesford RSL Sub-Branch President, Ian Tinetti stated: “Several years ago Phyl Dougherty suggested organising an honour board with names of those who served to go into the RSL building.  That board is in place. Then four years ago we were speaking with Councillor Lesley Hewitt about the huge amount of work needed to maintain and replace Avenue trees which were more than 100 years old and struggling or dying. Work has progressed removing and replacing some of the old trees and will continue. Cr Hewitt suggested that we also look at a new Avenue sign to better recognise this special heritage.”

“The Avenue trees used to have brass plaques with names of Soldiers, however, a few decades ago the plaques disappeared and gradually less recognition was there about the significance of these magnificent trees. The larger new sign now shows 261 names of Daylesford region’s servicemen and women lost in the Great War 1914-1918”

Ian Tinetti added: “In recent years communities across Australia and particularly younger people have joined in to celebrate ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day and the nation building that these signify. More people are again proud to be Australians.”

“At our local RSL a community working group volunteered four years ago to support the creation of new signs. Twenty Thousand dollars was raised. $12,000 by the working group, the RSL and a few others. $4,000 was donated by our own local Daylesford District Community Bank, $2,000 from Daylesford Rotary Club and $1,000 donated by Maxine Lynch. The Daylesford Historical Society also helped with amazing research to ensure that we had as many names and accuracy as we could.”

Ian Tinetti added: “There are so many groups and individuals who have helped to achieve this remarkable outcome. Kevin Lam designed the spectacular signs that are built to last many decades. Hygge Property, developers of the Middleton Fields estate, have strongly supported and allowed the signs to go on their land adjacent to the historic Avenue trees. Local contractors and businesses helped to bring the signs in, erect them and landscape around them.”

“Over the past four years the community working group at the RSL has included: Kevin Lam; Kerry Carr; Marilyn Kislinsky; Maxine Lynch; Anna and Victor Szwed and many others.”

The 260 names of those who served from our region are engraved on the sign.

For more information contact:  Ian Tinetti PH  5476 4277