
Kongwak
The ceremony of planting trees in honor of district volunteers will take place this afternoon (Thursday), at 2 o’clock. Prior to the actual planting, short addresses will be delivered by visiting Speakers. The committee extends a hearty welcome to all interested in the movement – especially the relatives of soldiers – and it is expected that a large crowd will gather opposite the school in time for the planting of the first tree by the president of the hall committee, Mr. C. D. Tulloch. During the afternoon the ladies will provide refreshments. In order that the work may be completed in good time, visitors are specially asked to note that a start will be made punctually at 2 o’clock. The planting of the trees will be done by the mothers or lady relatives of soldiers, as far as practicable.
Great Southern Advocate (Korumburra, VIC), Thursday 15 August 1918, page 3
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Signed at both ends along the Korumburra-Wonthaggi Road, the double-sided row of trees distinguish an almost 1km stretch of the Kongwak Avenue of Honour. Original WW1 plantings of Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), English Elm (Ulmus procera), Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra) and two exceptional survivors from 1918, a Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) and a Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris), have been generally eked by Silver Birch (Betula pendula) and Pin Oak (Quercus palustris). Whilst some trees may have failed over time, new trees were planted to extend commemoration for WW2 service.
Originally extending from the Kongwak School and Foster Creek, the Avenue extends to the west of the Creek beyond the Kongwak Store.
A total of some 70 trees are planted for WW1 & WW2 service in particular; but the Avenue now embraces commemoration of service and sacrifice for all subsequent conflicts.

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The memorial lists the names of twenty-six locals who served in World War One and sixty locals who served in World War Two for whom trees were planted in the Avenue of Honour.

Sample trees and associated plaques
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Church Road Memorial Trees Extension
Honouring Local WW2 Soldiers
An initiative of a local Kongwak identity and WW2 veteran, John Gow OAM, memorial trees were planted in 2009 to commemorate his 7 fallen WWII comrades from the local area. This project to extend the purpose of the existing WW1 Avenue of Honour, was endorsed under the auspices of Veterans Victoria and the RSL.
Whilst the names of his comrades who paid the ultimate sacrifice are honoured in a stained glass window of Kongwak’s historic Church, the concept was to have a permanent, living memorial, to those who served and unlike John, did not return to the district. The selection of a broad verge along the minor country thoroughfare, Church Road, was designed to ensure the memorial trees trees would be free from the impact of future infrastructure development.