details

Statement of Significance

This avenue of trees was accepted into the Willunga District Heritage Survey in 1997 and consequently adopted by the City of Onkaparinga in 2000.

The accepted grounds for this nomination are regarded as:

A memorial avenue displaying historical and social themes

A memorial avenue as a notable landmark

The citation for this avenue states that it was planted during 1907 _ 1908. For its time this was a very ambitious project. The avenue currently consists of some 60 trees with considerable losses over the 100+ years of their existence.

It has acquired the name of Memorial Avenue but there is currently no evidence relating to the event it might memorialise.

The traditional event in many countries for memorial avenues has been WW1. Given the date attested for planting as 1907-08 WW1 can be excluded. Given the dates of the Crimean War (1853 _ 56) this period also does not fit, nor the Boer War period (1899 _ 1902).

The citation states that planting was to create a shaded walkway. So why has this avenue acquired the title of memorial avenue?

The sole and acceptable reason for this nomination to the NTSAs Register of Significant Trees is that it is a notable landmark. It is also a substantial avenue for its day and its small, rural community.