This living memorial is now believed to be the very first avenue of honour planted in Australia.
The trees are located on Jetty Road, Normanville, (Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide), possibly 4-6 large Moreton Bay Figs remain of the very original plantings along the southern aspect of the road – slightly younger trees complete the Avenue which is over 500 metres long.
In his PhD Thesis “First World War Avenues of Honour: Social History through the Landscape”, 2018, Federation University, Michael Taffe, author and historian reveals the Normanville trees formed the first WW1 war memorial avenue in Australia, beginning on 13th May 1915.
“The trees used were Moreton Bay figs that had been provided by and planted by Mr R. B. Clark and were ‘intended to serve as a living monument to his [each volunteer] gallantry’. Each tree had the soldier’s name and details attached.” pp 130-131
TREE SPECIES
Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla)
