August 22, 2014
Peach and cherry trees along the Jarrahmond Avenue of Honour will blossom once again, thanks to a Federal Government grant to commemorate 100 years since World War I.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Jarrahmond Landcare Group would receive an ANZAC Centenary Local Grant to plant flowering peach and cherry trees at the B Road memorial.
The Jarrahmond Avenue of Honour was planted with English Oaks, and the peach and cherry trees were planted alternating between the oaks. Eleven of the flowering trees have since died and will be replaced through the project.
There are also plans to install plaques and headstones with the names of 35 local men and women who served in World War I. Seven of the men were killed in action.
At present, the names of former Jarrahmond State School students who served are kept on the old school Honour Roll, which hangs in the Orbost RSL Sub-Branch.
Mr Chester said the Jarrahmond Avenue of Honour instilled an immense sense of pride in the local community.
“There is a strong connection amongst the local community to the Avenue of Honour and I’m proud the Federal Government can play a small role in helping to rejuvenate this importance place of reflection,” Mr Chester said.
“Jarrahmond is a small, but close-knit community and the events of World War I would have been devastating for all of the local families who saw their sons and daughters head off to war.
“Through the excellent work of the Jarrahmond Landcare Group, we will continue to remember the sacrifice of these local servicemen and women.”
Jarrahmond Landcare coordinator Penny Gray said the Avenue of Honour was an ongoing priority for the group.
“Over the years, the group has invested a lot of time and energy into the maintenance of the Avenue of Honour,” Ms Gray said.
“Planting the trees will be an event open to everyone and it is proposed there will be a community celebration to unveil the plaque.
“For many of the local families, there is a kinship connection to those on the Jarrahmond State School Honour Roll and we’re proud to recognise these names in a prominent location.”
The project is being undertaken with the full support of the Orbost RSL Sub-Branch.
It is planned the unveiling of the Honour Roll will involve family members of those whose relatives served in World War I.
The Avenue of Honour was planted after World War II by local families. The Jarrahmond Landcare Group has already made progress on the project by themselves planting five flowering cherries in July 2013.
Flowering peaches were also planned, but were unavailable last year. Eleven more trees have been ordered.
It is hoped the plaques will be unveiled by April 2015, in time for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
CAPTION: Jarrahmond Landcare members Penny Gray, Cindy Robinson and Jeanette Honey with Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester along the Avenue of Honour.
