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Naringal Avenue of Honour
Main Road NARINGAL, MOYNE SHIRE

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory
Narin 1.jpg
Narin 1.jpg
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Naringal Avenue of Honour comprises a row of Western Australian Flowering Gums (Corymbia ficofolia) that were planted along the main road at Narringal probably after World War II. Originally, there were timber name plates placed under each tree.

How is it significant?
The Naringal Avenue of Honour is of historical, scientific (horticultural), aesthetic and social significance to Moyne Shire.

Why is it significant?
The Naringal Avenue of Honour is of local historical significance for its commemoration of local service personnel who served overseas in world war. It is representative of plantings that first appeared in Australia during World War I, commemorating all those who enlisted for service in an egalitarian form where each individual was equally recognised for their service regardless of rank. It is also of historical significance as an impressive, intact and integral part of the Victorian network of Avenues of Honour, planted to memorialise those who fought in wars overseas, and at one time totalling some 128 throughout Victoria, and now much reduced.

The Naringal Avenue of Honour is of local social significance for its relationship to the community as a memorial to those who served in World War II [??], and for its continuing commemorative importance. It remains as an indication of the involvement of Victoria's small communities in commemorating the sacrifices of their volunteers, and the loss and sorrow experienced by small rural areas across Victoria. It is of local social significance as a site of remembrance, reflection and pilgrimage.

The Naringal Avenue of Honour is of local scientific (horticultural) significance as an record of the growth pattern of a known species planted in a particular place at a known time.

The Naringal Avenue of Honour is of local aesthetic significance as an attractive landscape element.
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    • Physical Description 1

      Naringal Avenue of Honour - Physical Description 1

      This comprises a row of Western Australia flowering gums (Corymbia ficofolia ) along one side of the main road at Naringal.

      COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
      The Naringal Avenue of Honour is unusual in Moyne Shire for its choice of Corymbia ficofolia (Western Australian flowering gum), rather than a more common choice, such as Monterey Cypress. It was planted as a single row rather than as an avenue proper, which makes it similar to Ellerslie and Naringal. It appears to have been compromised, however, with inter-planting of other species.

      Veterans Description for Public

      Naringal Avenue of Honour - Veterans Description for Public

      The Naringal Avenue of Honour was planted in 1947 to commemorate the Second World War. The Avenueis located on the Main Road and comprises of thirty-three Western Australia flowering gums (Corymbia ficofolia). The choice of Corymbia ficofolia made the Naringal Avenue of Honour unusual in Moyne Shire, rather than the more common choice of Monterey Cypresses. Nonetheless in the post-war period Corymbia ficofolia became a more popular species than it had been in the 1920s. It was planted as a single row rather than as an avenue proper, which makes it similar to the Ellerslie Avenue of Honour. The avenue appears to have been compromised, however, with inter-planting of other species. A small monument marks the former location of the mounment, listing the names of those who served in the First World War.

      In Australia, commemorative trees have been planted in public spaces since the late nineteenth century. Arbor Days were held regularly in most Victorian State Schools during the late 1800s and early 1900s, and numerous trees were planted in parks in Melbourne and throughout Victoria to mark the visits of important and famous people.

      This tradition of commemorative planting was continued in 1901 when at the end of the Boer War trees were often planted for each soldier of the district who was killed in South Africa. These plantings, however, rarely consisted of more than two or three trees in each town.

      During and after the First World War avenues of honour consisting of trees lining significant streets became a popular form of commemoration. They represented a new egalitarian approach to the commemoration of soldiers where rank was not a consideration: each tree symbolises a person.

      Avenues of honour are a uniquely Australian phenomenon. Australians, and in particular Victorians, embraced the idea of planting them more enthusiastically than any other country in the world. Dating from May 1916, the Eurack Avenue of Honour is the earliest known avenue of honour to be planted in Victoria.

      By the time of the Second World War avenues of honour had declined in popularity as a means of commemoration. Today it is estimated that over 300 avenues of honour have been planted in Victoria to commemorate service personnel since 1901.

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Moyne - Moyne Shire Heritage Study Stage 2

      Author: Helen Doyle in association with Context P/L
      Year: 2006
      Grading: Local

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