The City of Ballarat has received important funding to commence restoration works on Tourello Avenue of Honour and Ballarat East Avenue of Honour.
The City of Ballarat will receive grant funding of $15,000 from the Victorian Government's Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Grant Program, which supports local war memorials in Victoria that commemorate those who served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
This grant provides an opportunity for restoration at two of Ballarat's lesser-known Avenues.
The Tourello Avenue of Honour funding will be used to conduct minor ground works and the replacement of 15 English Walnut trees.
At the Ballarat East Avenue of Honour the funding will be utilised in the planting of 72 trees, along what is believed to be the original alignment of the trees prior to the freeway works being conducted many years ago. It will also include the introduction of signage to better inform visitors.
The tree restoration work will be delivered by the City of Ballarat, with volunteers from the Ballarat Lions Club and the Brown Hill Progress Association.
The City of Ballarat applied for this grant based on an audit of our 13 Avenues of Honour, which included identifying the needs, scope of works required, and determining the best fit in line with the grant program.
The City of Ballarat is committed to the ongoing protection and enhancement of our Avenues. This includes advocating for further research, signage, and tree plantings to re-establish missing sections of the Avenues.
City of Ballarat Councillor Samantha McIntosh said that these Avenues are an integral part of our history and it is important to preserve them for future generations to learn from.
"With the support of this grant and some people power it's pleasing to see our continued enhancement of Avenues of Honour throughout Ballarat," she said.
The Hon. Shaun Leane MP, Minister for Veterans said the veteran community helped make Victoria what it is today and this funding would help maintain their stories for future generations.
"I am proud to continue the Victorian Government's support for communities honouring and commemorating our proud war heritage," he said.
Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said it is vital to continue to honour the heroes that are part of the community.
"I'm proud that the Andrews Labor Government continues to support Ballarat's Avenues of Honour," she said.
"These smaller, more local Avenues are an important reminder that the many soldiers who didn't come home after WW1 lived in our streets, went to local schools and were a part of our community.
"These young heroes are not a myth, but lived amongst us, and preserving their memory is an important part of our ANZAC story."
The planting will occur over the next few months at the Tourello Avenue of Honour and the Ballarat East Avenue of Honour.
The Tourello Avenue of Honour was established in 1918 to commemorate World War One. This Avenue of Honour is located at Tourello Road Tourello, one kilometre west of the Ascot to Clunes Road (Ballarat-Maryborough Road.
The Ballarat East Avenue of Honour was established between 1917 and 1920 to commemorate World War One. This Avenue of Honour is located Melbourne Road Ballarat East, in Victoria Australia.
The tree restoration at Tourello Avenue of Honour and Ballarat East Avenue of Honour is supported by the Victorian Government.
