The Tooradin Avenue of Honour, runs along the South Gippsland Highway. The original planting of 42 trees went from Evans Road to the bridge at Sawtell's Inlet. It was planted in 1919 and consists of Western Australian flowering gums. These trees were selected for the Memorial Committee by George Cooper (1), the curator of the Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne and purchased from Cheesman's Nursery (2) in Brighton. The Avenue was financed by donations from the community. The Avenue was later extended to Bayview Road.
We can look at the early days of the Memorial through the reports in the 1919 Koo Wee Rup Sun, in the Tooradin Chatter column, provided by J.D.S. This was James Dudley Singleton, who was the licensee of the Tooradin Hotel from 1917 to 1920 and built the Stella Maris Guest House in 1925 (3)
April 1919
The first reference I could find was in April 30, 1919, where the Memorial Committee intended to plant 18 trees and that the Cranbourne Shire would fund the tree guards.
Memorial Committee - During the week, under the chairmanship of Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P. a tree-planting proposal, embracing also an honor board suggestion was successfully launched. About £8 was subscribed at the meeting. It is intended to plant 18 trees or so, protected by tree guards donated by the council, and to each guard will be affixed the name of a soldier. The proposed planting site will be the northern approach of the Tooradin bridge. This in a few years will greatly enhance the appearance of the township, serving at the same time to remind people of the heroic deeds and valor displayed by Australia’s sons abroad in the world’s greats war, out of which our Billjims emerged with imperishable glory. Subscriptions will be gladly received by the Secretary, Mr. D. Henderson, towards the movement, a list of which will be published later.
Memorial Committee - During the week, under the chairmanship of Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P. a tree-planting proposal, embracing also an honor board suggestion was successfully launched. About £8 was subscribed at the meeting. It is intended to plant 18 trees or so, protected by tree guards donated by the council, and to each guard will be affixed the name of a soldier. The proposed planting site will be the northern approach of the Tooradin bridge. This in a few years will greatly enhance the appearance of the township, serving at the same time to remind people of the heroic deeds and valor displayed by Australia’s sons abroad in the world’s greats war, out of which our Billjims emerged with imperishable glory. Subscriptions will be gladly received by the Secretary, Mr. D. Henderson, towards the movement, a list of which will be published later.
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday April 30, 1919 p.4)
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday April 30, 1919 p.4)
Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, chairman of the Memorial Committee was Thomas Henry Fitzgerald, a grazier of Tooradin. The Secretary of the committee was David Metcalf Henderson; his parents had arrived in Tooradin in 1874 and David was practically on every committee that functioned in Tooradin for fifty years or more. (4)
August 1919
Later in August, J.D.S. called out all the laggards who had not yet donated to the Memorial Avenue.
Soldiers’ Memorial - In all about 40 trees will be planted this week. Most of the tree guards are in position, undergoing preliminary dressing before being planted white. Mr Cooper, curator of the Alexandra Gardens, selected the Western Australian flowering gums for the committee from Cheeseman’s Nursery. Considerable expense has been incurred by the committee in their effort to achieve something worthy of the boys who left the district at the country’s call for their services, and it must be regretfully admitted contributions to the fund are not coming in as generously as expected. The list of contributors disclosed the names of many in the district who have given a deaf ear to the appeal to assistance. However, it is not yet too late for these laggards to come to light with their few shillings, and we hope this par will help them to come to an early decision to remit whatever amount they propose to give to either Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P., chairman, or Mr Dave Henderson, the honorary secretary.
June 1919
In June, as the idea of a Memorial Avenue gained momentum, the plan was to plant 30 trees and J.D.S reported that as expected, the Cranbourne Shire refused to supply the tree guards -
Tree planting - The local committee met on Saturday evening to consider matters in connection with the proposed tree planting. About 30 trees will be planted, and an order for the necessary timbers has been given to build tree-guards, as the council withheld assistance, as expected, re supplying guards. Further funds are wanted to allow the work being organised properly, carried out in honor of our Aussie boys, and Mr Dave Henderson will be pleased to acknowledge any donations forthcoming. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, June 18, 1919 p.4)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, June 18, 1919 p.4
July 1919
In July 1919, the number of trees to be planted had increased to 38, and the Memorial Committee was again asking for donations.
Tree Planting - Messrs T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P., and Dave Henderson, chairman and secretary respectively, are pushing on with the tree planting proposals for Tooradin. In all about 38 trees will be planted, and several guards are already made up and in position on the north approach of the bridge. Sturdy W.A. flowering gums are the trees selected for the honor avenue. A good deal of expense will be entailed, and the committee would appreciate donations for the laudable work proposed from residents of the district who have not yet contributed. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, July 16, 1919 p.4)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, July 16, 1919 p.4
August 1919
By August 1919, the number of trees to be planted had increased to about 40 and nearly all the trees guards had been installed -
Honor Avenue - Practically all the tree guards are in position on the Melbourne approach to the Tooradin bridge. In all about 40 trees will be planted, forming a most sensible method to honor the lads who served abroad from this locality. With the flight of time the tender Western Australian flowering gums will each we hope develop into strong trees, and give to Tooradin an additional charm when their magnificent flowering period is reached. Preferably this is much better than solid granite monuments or obelisks some communities morbidly select to express their tribute of thanks and commemoration to the boys. A meeting of the committee in charge of arrangements have yet to select a date for the planting. However, we understand the ceremony will take place sometime early this month. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, August 6, 1919 p.4)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, August 6, 1919 p.4
August 1919
Later in August, J.D.S. called out all the laggards who had not yet donated to the Memorial Avenue.
Soldiers’ Memorial - In all about 40 trees will be planted this week. Most of the tree guards are in position, undergoing preliminary dressing before being planted white. Mr Cooper, curator of the Alexandra Gardens, selected the Western Australian flowering gums for the committee from Cheeseman’s Nursery. Considerable expense has been incurred by the committee in their effort to achieve something worthy of the boys who left the district at the country’s call for their services, and it must be regretfully admitted contributions to the fund are not coming in as generously as expected. The list of contributors disclosed the names of many in the district who have given a deaf ear to the appeal to assistance. However, it is not yet too late for these laggards to come to light with their few shillings, and we hope this par will help them to come to an early decision to remit whatever amount they propose to give to either Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P., chairman, or Mr Dave Henderson, the honorary secretary.
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 13, 1919 p.4)
August 1919
On Thursday, August 14 1919 fifty residents planted the 40 flowering gums.
Tree Planting - Thursday last about 50 residents gathered to take part in the ceremony of planting 40 trees, constituting the W.A. flowering gum avenue at Tooradin in connection with the soldiers’ memorial. Cr M’Gregor, President Cranbourne Shire, was in attendance, and after all the trees were well and truly planted read an inspiring address suitable to the occasion. Other speakers were Cr. S. Hill, Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P., and Mr G. Egerton, sen., and Mr D. Henderson, hon. secretary to the movement. Afternoon tea was served at the termination of the ceremony. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 20, 1919 p.4)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 13, 1919 p.4
August 1919
On Thursday, August 14 1919 fifty residents planted the 40 flowering gums.
Tree Planting - Thursday last about 50 residents gathered to take part in the ceremony of planting 40 trees, constituting the W.A. flowering gum avenue at Tooradin in connection with the soldiers’ memorial. Cr M’Gregor, President Cranbourne Shire, was in attendance, and after all the trees were well and truly planted read an inspiring address suitable to the occasion. Other speakers were Cr. S. Hill, Mr T.H. Fitzgerald, J.P., and Mr G. Egerton, sen., and Mr D. Henderson, hon. secretary to the movement. Afternoon tea was served at the termination of the ceremony. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 20, 1919 p.4)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 20, 1919 p.4
August 1919
The trees had been planted but there was still another call for funds -
Special Appeal - A circular is in circulation at Tooradin appealing for financial help for the soldiers’ memorial feature in the W.A. flowering gum avenue at Tooradin. Many in the district have abstained from giving a red cent, whether through sheer cussedness or purely as absent-minded beggars we cannot say. At any rate, the object of the appeal is sufficiently noble and good, and symbolises the grateful gratitude of the people for our soldier boys, and expresses ever so humbly in memorial form our tribute which is their due. Anyone wishing to add their mite should send donations to Mr Fitzgerald or Mr D. Henderson, Tooradin. An additional sum of about £15 or more is urgently needed to meet liabilities incurred and contemplated. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 27, 1919 p.4)
October 1919
Another appeal from J.D.S. for funds and he also notes that 42 trees had been planted -
Honor Avenue - It is a regrettable thing to admit that the honor avenue put in hand at Tooradin some months ago, by the planting of 42 W.A. flowering gums, still hangs in the balance for lack of funds, tree guards being unpainted and sign plates not ordered. The whole cost is less than £1 per guard, but where, oh, where are those charitable souls whose burning ardor and oratory lead the world and our committee to believe castles could be built with their generosity. There are plenty still deaf to appeals for assistance who should shell out, and we hope some sympathetic microbe will bite them hard and impregnate them with benevolent and charitable impulses.
Special Appeal - A circular is in circulation at Tooradin appealing for financial help for the soldiers’ memorial feature in the W.A. flowering gum avenue at Tooradin. Many in the district have abstained from giving a red cent, whether through sheer cussedness or purely as absent-minded beggars we cannot say. At any rate, the object of the appeal is sufficiently noble and good, and symbolises the grateful gratitude of the people for our soldier boys, and expresses ever so humbly in memorial form our tribute which is their due. Anyone wishing to add their mite should send donations to Mr Fitzgerald or Mr D. Henderson, Tooradin. An additional sum of about £15 or more is urgently needed to meet liabilities incurred and contemplated. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 27, 1919 p.4)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday August 27, 1919 p.4
Another appeal from J.D.S. for funds and he also notes that 42 trees had been planted -
Honor Avenue - It is a regrettable thing to admit that the honor avenue put in hand at Tooradin some months ago, by the planting of 42 W.A. flowering gums, still hangs in the balance for lack of funds, tree guards being unpainted and sign plates not ordered. The whole cost is less than £1 per guard, but where, oh, where are those charitable souls whose burning ardor and oratory lead the world and our committee to believe castles could be built with their generosity. There are plenty still deaf to appeals for assistance who should shell out, and we hope some sympathetic microbe will bite them hard and impregnate them with benevolent and charitable impulses.
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 15, 1919 p.4)
October 1919
Another appeal to those who have not yet contributed a red cent to get a riggle on -
Tree Plantation - Our reference lately to the indifference shown locally to the soldiers’ memorial in the W.A. flowering gums plantation hasn’t yielded any additional assistance. The committee in charge are anxiously appealing for less than a score of pounds to finish the job, and it is up to those who have not yet contributed a red cent to get a riggle on. A further meeting will be held to consider some means of organising further finance. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday October 22, 1919 p.4)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 15, 1919 p.4
October 1919
Another appeal to those who have not yet contributed a red cent to get a riggle on -
Tree Plantation - Our reference lately to the indifference shown locally to the soldiers’ memorial in the W.A. flowering gums plantation hasn’t yielded any additional assistance. The committee in charge are anxiously appealing for less than a score of pounds to finish the job, and it is up to those who have not yet contributed a red cent to get a riggle on. A further meeting will be held to consider some means of organising further finance. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday October 22, 1919 p.4)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday October 22, 1919 p.4
The previous articles all confirm that the original planting was of 42 trees, and as these 1919 reports were written by James Singleton who was there on the spot and had trees planted outside his Hotel in Tooradin, I consider him to be a credible source. As we will see later, modern sources note incorrectly that there were only 18 trees planted originally and that this was in 1918.
1922
At the end of June 1922, the Koo Wee Rup Sun had this report on the arrival of some more trees for the Avenue -
Another small batch of floral gums for the Soldiers' Avenue has arrived. Most of the plantation is looking well. In future years it will be proudly sending forth its wealth of glorious colour in its flowering season, adding further charm to our bayside retreat.
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, Thursday, June 29, 1922, p.1)
Koo Wee Rup Sun, Thursday June 29, 1922, p.1
It is hard to know how many trees were in this small batch; I would surmise less than ten. This would bring now bring the number of trees planted to around 45 to 50.
Aerial of Tooradin, dated c.1925-1940. You can clearly see the white painted tree guards along the South Gippsland Highway, signifying the Avenue of Honour. The Avenue ends at the bridge over Sawtell's Inlet.
The road on the left is Tooradin Station Road and the intersection of this road and the Highway is now occupied by Gendore Farm Machinery.
The building on the left is St Peter's Catholic Church, which was opened in 1922 and has now been removed to St Peter's College in Cranbourne. The building on right near the bridge is the now demolished Tooradin Hotel.
Photographer: Airspy. State Library of Victoria image https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/20189
After this 1922 reference, I could only pick up scattered references to the Avenue over the next decades.
1931
Who owned the Avenue of Honor? As we have seen the Cranbourne Shire Council did not provide funds for its establishment; however at some the Council was responsible for it as in June 1931, the Tooradin Progress Association wrote to the Council asking for control of the Avenue, which was granted. (5)
1940
In December 1940, the Avenue may have been back in control of the Council, however the Koo Wee Rup Returned Soldiers organization took a keen interest in the Avenue, as it was reported that the Koo Wee Rup R.S.S.A.I.L.A. (Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia, now the R.S.L.) asked that council put in order the neglected Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue along the Highway at Tooradin. Dead trees needed replacing and name-plates re-erecting. (6)
1941
The next year in July 1941, on Arbor Day, the students at Tooradin State School added 8 more flowering gums to the Avenue at Tooradin. The head teacher, Mr Francis Grove asked council to assist by erecting tree-guards. At the same Council meeting, Cr Les Cochrane, who was a World War One veteran, outlined steps which Kooweerup Returned Soldiers were taking to raise funds to restore the nameplates on the trees. (7)
Two months later in September 1941 the Dandenong Journal reported that -
Diggers Raised £18 For Restoring Tooradin Honor Avenue. A cheque for £17/18/3 was received from the Kooweerup R.S.S.I.L.A., the amount raised through the Tooradin members of the branch to restore the Honor Avenue at Tooradin. Cr Cochrane said that as it was stated that Tooradin Riding wasn’t financial enough to replace name-plates and generally restore the avenue, the branch had held a dance to secure the money. The cheque was the result. Crs Lamperd and Longmuir moved that a letter of thanks be sent to the branch and that the engineer be in structed to proceed with the work. (8)
1942
The Council advertised for tenders for this job and a tender was accepted in November 1941 (9) and in June 1942 the Kooweerup R.S.S.I.L.A. - Satisfaction was expressed at the excellent job that the shire engineer had made of the restoration of the Tooradin Honor Avenue. (10)1943
A report in September 1943 in the Dandenong Journal presents a different picture i.e. there was less than satisfaction regarding the Avenue -
Honor Avenue at Tooradin - Referring to press reminders that council should replace dead trees in the Honor Avenue at Tooradin, Cr. R. Longmuir said that the avenue had been put there by the soldiers and the people and there had never at any time been any request to council to maintain or take it over. Mr. J. D. Singleton had approached him and had informed him that there were 14 dead trees in the avenue and some on the main road. He moved and Cr. Lloyd seconded, that Mr. Singleton be asked to send in a request for council to take over the avenue and maintain it. ‘We are willing to do it,” the mover said, “but if we did it without authority we would be over-riding somebody.” (11)
A month later, October, 1943, Mr. J. D. Singleton, J.P., advised that the Tooradin Foreshore Trust had no objection to the council taking over the control and maintenance of the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue, and that consultation with Mr. C. S. McLeod, secretary of the Kooweerup RSL., revealed that he held the same view. (12)
1945In August 1945, there were complaints that the Avenue was again being neglected -
Tooradin Soldiers' Welfare Committee drew attention to the neglected state of the Tooradin Honor Avenue, and also reminded council that a lot of local servicemen had not yet received certificates from the shire.- The engineer explained that the trees were planted by local residents. Some had died, and replacements had already been ordered.
In reply to Cr. Greaves it was stated that some trees had been planted in the avenue for soldiers of the present war. At the instance of Cr. Longmuir, a reply is to be sent that it is the usual practice for residents to supply the trees and guards, council then undertaking to maintain and look after them; also, pointing out that replacements have already been ordered. If a list of names is sent in, certificates for district servicemen will be supplied. (13)
1948
It appears nothing was done in 1945, as three years later in July 1948, the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. raised the issue with the Cranbourne Council again -
Memorial Avenue at Tooradin - Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. requested council to re-plant misses and clean up Soldiers’ Av., at Tooradin.- Engineer to give necessary attention. (14)
1949
1949
It appears nothing was done to improve the Avenue in 1948, as in February 1949 the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. again wrote to the Council to drew attention to the state of disrepair in which the Tooradin Honor Avenue had fallen and asked that it be given some attention. The Council advised that missing trees will be replaced at the proper time, and that in the meantime the engineer will put the other work in hand. (15)
Nothing had been done by the August so the R.S.L offered to supply the labour (16) and in the September it was reported that the Avenue has been cleared and it is expected that the trees will be available for re-planting. (17)
1954
It was another five years before I could find more articles on the Avenue of Honour
In January 1954 the Dandenong Journal reported that Tooradin Progress Association sought an extension of the Avenue -
The trees in Tooradin’s Avenue of Honor are often admired by visitors and passing motorists. The Association will ask Council to approach the proper authorities to have the avenue extended right through the town. Officials are quite sure residents will give them some assistance in planting the trees. (18)
In March the Shire Engineer at a Council meeting was reported as saying -
The work of tidying up and re-planting the Tooradin Honor Avenue and the plantation east of the inlet is not extensive, stated the engineer. “All the name plates of the Honor Avenue require re-painting or renewing, and this would be costly,” he added. “I do not know if this is the council’s responsibility. Many of the boards are unreadable and I have been unable to obtain a complete list of names." Council deferred a decision until Riding councillors discussed the matter with the Progress Association that evening. (19)
In May 1954, the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L notified the Council that -
Owing to the difficulty of tracing the names of the individual soldiers for the replacements of plaques on the Tooradin Honor Avenue, the Kooweerup R.S.L. suggested that a concrete pillar or post with suitable inscription be put up instead. (20)
The idea was that a plaque would be attached to a pillar but at the June Council meeting Cr. Mills said he had spoken to one of the trustees and surprised at the estimated cost of a plaque, he had asked that the matter be held in abeyance while it was further considered. (21) In August - the R.S.L. submitted quotes for the plaques and advised it was prepared to sponsor an appeal for funds towards their cost. The Council was agreeable to this and were prepared to cooperate and assist. (22)
In November, the Council approved a motion to apply to the Country Roads Board for permission to have the plaques and their pillars erected. (23)
At the February 1955 Council meeting a letter was tabled from the Country Roads Board, advising that the board offers no objections to the proposal to erect memorial plaques on highway at Tooradin. (24)
This news was reported on at the March meeting of the Koo Wee Rup R.S.L. -
The Shire of Cranbourne advised that the Country Roads Board had approved the erection of two plaques at the Memorial Avenue, Tooradin, and when the sub-branch is in a position to proceed with the erection of the plaques to contact the shire engineer. - President reported that the plaques would cost approximately £50 and it was decided to defer the matter until the May meeting. (25)
At the May R.S.L. meeting Further arrangements were made in connection with the erection of a memorial plaque at the Avenue of Honor, Tooradin. (26)
The plaques may be been installed but I can find no report of this in the Koo Wee Rup Sun in 1955, and there is nothing on Trove in local papers after 1955; and the 1956 and 1957 issues of the Koo Wee Rup Sun are missing from the collection at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society, so I cannot provide a definitive answer.
To summarise - by 1955, if all these reports were correct, there were 42 trees planted in 1919, a small batch in 1922 and then the eight others in 1941, which makes it around 55 to 60 trees. There was also the proposal to extend the Avenue in 1954, and by then it was so difficult to trace the names of the men honoured by the 1919 trees the attempt was abandoned.
We now jump to 1972 for the next report I can find on the Tooradin Avenue.
1972The Koo Wee Rup Sun published this article on July 26, 1972 -
Help rallies to save this tree.
Efforts are being made to save these majestic flowering gums in the Tooradin Township. Berwick Shire’s Cr Marshall Baillieu wrote to this month’s Cranbourne Shire Council meeting asking council to consider rockeries or similar treatment adjacent to the flowering gum trees outside the Tooradin Hotel.
He felt that parking on the trees root system was helping to kill the trees. Council decided that an inspection of the trees would be made by Cr Ted. Callinan and the shire engineer prepare a report on the trees.
This week, after an inspection, Cr Callinan said the trees appeared to be suffering from some kind of disease. While the dead trees will be replanted, the council has not been able to find out if the other trees can be saved. The trees are believed to be at least 20 years old and have become part of Tooradin. (27)
The photo and original caption which accompanied the article -
One of the dying flowering gum trees, with Cr Callinan outside the Tooradin Hotel.
Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 26, 1972, p.3
In 2001, the City of Casey published Our Living Memorials: Avenues of Honour in the City of Casey. This is the Tooradin entry -
Tooradin Avenue - 60 trees - With the original planting consisting of only 18 trees in the centre. From this planting, the Avenue has extended north and south with 42 young Red Flowering Gum trees. The plantings were most likely arranged by friends groups and Council over the years. The plantings continue into the Tooradin shopping precinct, however this is probably as part of the development of the area, not as a continuation of the Avenue. The trees are mostly in acceptable condition, needing minor tree surgery to remove dead wood and damaged limbs. (28)
I don't agree, as you know, that there were only 18 planted originally, however if there are sixty now, at some time up to five more trees were planted after the 1919, 1922 and 1941 plantings. The Avenue now commences at Bayview Road, thus the newer trees were actually planted north of the original plantings as it still finishes at the bridge over Sawtell's Inlet. The City of Casey's own signage is placed just north of the bridge and at Bayview Road; I feel this signage was installed around the time Our Living Memorials book was published.
Photographer: Greg Gordon
2001
The book Tooradin: 125 years of Coastal History was also published in 2001. It has this to say about the Avenue.
In July 1918, residents agreed that Tooradin's memorial to her fallen and returned soldiers should take the form of an Avenue of Australian Flowering Gums. These were planted along the main road from near the Church of England to the Bridge and on the east side to the "Stella Maris" guest house, and in Station Road to the School. Each tree had a wooden plate with a soldier's name. Mr W. Rooke did the work of setting up the first 18 trees. More trees were planted in 1922......We say of our fallen that "Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn" but the years condemned the Avenue of Honour. Road widening removed many trees and wooden name-boards have long rotted away. (29)
Again, I dispute the 1918 date, the number in the original planting and the fact that the Avenue extended south of Sawtell's Inlet to Stella Maris. Mr Rooke is Charles William Rooke, listed, with his wife Rose, in the 1917 and 1918 Electoral Rolls as a farmer at Tooradin; previously to this he was a market gardener at Springvale. He is also listed in the 1917/1918 Cranbourne Shire Rate books as owning 198 acres of land at Tooradin; this land was sold to Samuel Hill sometime in the 1918/1919 Rate book year. However, there is also an advertisement for a clearing sale for Mr Rooke for his 198 acre farm and choice dairy herd on the Main Road, Tooradin to take place on April 18, 1917; it is possible the farm did not sell at this time. From 1919 I cannot trace Charles, but his wife Rose is listed at Tooradin in the 1921 and 1924 Electoral Rolls. (30)
The Tooradin Avenue of Honour of flowering gums was predominantly planted in 1919, initially with 42 trees; a small number of trees were added in 1922 and eight more in 1941, plus others at at unknown date, but most likely the 1950s. Flowering gums were an unusual choice at the time, but they are now a wonderful memorial to the men from Tooradin who served their country in World War One and Two.
Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove, related to the Avenue of Honour at Tooradin, access it here.
Footnotes
(1) George Cooper, his son, also called George was also the Curator of the Alexandra Gardens and worked with Carlo Catani - I have written about both George's here - https://carlocatani.blogspot.com/2019/03/gw-cooper-alexandra-gardens-curator-and.html
(2) Cheesman's Nursery - In 1880 Richard Cheeseman, a nurseryman, purchased two acres of land (0.85 hectares) at the corner of Mill Street (now Hawthorn Road) and Union Street in East Brighton. He continued to buy and lease land around his original allotment; by 1916 he owned 14 acres (5.75 hectares). Cheeseman, who arrived in Victoria in 1867 aged 12 was described as being ‘of strong and genial personality, always capable and modern.’ He was both a prominent local citizen and also very involved in the Victorian horticultural industry. He worked in many nurseries and gardens including Government House, Toorak. His nursery in East Brighton was one of five that dominated the industry in Victoria in the late 19th and early 20th century, and offered an extensive selection of plants including over 500 varieties of roses. Cheeseman served as a juror at the International Exhibition 1880-81; was a pioneer member of the Nurserymen and Seedmen’s Association; Trustee and President of the Victorian Horticultural Improvement Society; President of the Brighton Horticultural Society; and President of the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria. Locally, he was a councillor and Mayor of Brighton; President of the Brighton Bowling Club; and an influential member of the Brighton Yacht Club and North Brighton Men’s Club. Cheeseman died in 1916; his nursery was continued by his family until c.1980, when the remaining land was sold and is now occupied by units. Source - City of Bayside Heritage Review (Revision 2) December 2006 Building Citations- https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-09/City%20of%20Bayside%20Heritage%20Review%20%28Revision%202%29%2C%202006.pdf
(3) James Dudley Singleton, J.P. - died September 16, 1951 at his home in Tooradin, see death notice in The Herald, here; short biography also appears in Tooradin: 125 years of Coastal History (see citation footnote 29)
(4) David Henderson - information about him and his father and other family members in ooradin: 125 years of Coastal History (see citation footnote 29)
(5) Dandenong Journal, June 11, 1931, see here.
(6) Dandenong Journal, December 11, 1940, see here.
(7) Dandenong Journal, July 9, 1941, see here.
(8) Dandenong Journal, September 10, 1941, see here.
(9) Dandenong Journal, November 19, 1941, see here.
(10) Dandenong Journal, June 17, 1942, see here.
(11) Dandenong Journal, September 8, 1943, see here.
(12) Dandenong Journal, October 6, 1943, see here.
(13) Dandenong Journal, August 15, 1945, see here.
(14) Dandenong Journal, July 7, 1948, see here.
(15) Dandenong Journal, February 9, 1949, see here.
(16) Dandenong Journal, August 10, 1949, see here.
(17) Dandenong Journal, September 7, 1949, see here.
(18) Dandenong Journal, January 20, 1954, see here.
(19) Dandenong Journal, March 24, 1954, see here.
(20) Dandenong Journal, May 12, 1954, see here.
(21) Dandenong Journal, June 9, 1954, see here.
(22) Dandenong Journal, August 18, 1954, see here.
(23) Dandenong Journal, November 10, 1954, see here.
(24) Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, February 9, 1955, p.1.
(25) Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, March 16, 1955, p.2.
(26) Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, May 11, 1955, p.2.
(27) Koo Wee Rup Sun, Wednesday, July 26, 1972, p.3.
(28) Our Living Memorials: Avenues of Honour in the City of Casey (City of Casey, 2001) - view and down-load a copy here (it's free) https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/avenues-of-honour
(29) Wells, John &‘Tooradin celebrate together’ committee Tooradin : 125 years of coastal history, Blind Bight, Cannon’s Creek, Sherwood, Tooradin North, Warneet : 1875-2000 State School No.1503 (‘Tooradin celebrates together 125 years of Education’ committee, 2000), p.45.
(30) Charles William Rooke - Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Shire of Cranbourne Rate Books; Clearing sale - Dandenong Advertiser - April 12, 1917, see here.
