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Sebastopol avenue of Honour
- Sebastopol was en fete on Saturday afternoon, when the planting of an Avenue of Honor for the local soldier boys took place. The street selected was Chestnut street, in which 120 trees were planted, consisting of mountain ash, golden ash, and maple. The committee had made complete arrangements, and everything passed off without; a hitch. Previous to the trees being planted the State School scholars, under the charge of the head teacher (Mr T. Jones) marched to the site. They were met by the Mayor and councilors. Mayor Jones presided, and expressed pleasure at seeing such a large number present to do honor to the boys, who had fought for us. A public meeting had been called three weeks ago, and the result was that they were in a position to plant 120 trees. This had been made possible by the arduous work that had been performed by Mr N. Howell, who had been appointed secretary of the committee, and who had not spared himself in carrying the project to a successful issue. They had decided to name the avenue the "Birdwood avenue." The board at the corner of the street bears the inscription: 'This avenue of trees was planted by the residents of Sebastopol in honor of our brave boys who volunteered to tight for freedom.— Major J.E. Jones, chairman; N. Howell, Secretary.' Major M. Baird, M.L.A., was introduced by Mayor Jones as one who had climbed the heights of Gallipoli, and shown his bravery and determination nation to do his share with those of his Australian comrades. Major Baird said that he was proud to do honor to the brave boys of Sebastopol, over 200 of whom had joined the gallant. army. Some magnificent deeds were to be credited to the soldiers nurtured by the creation of the avenue that day. Be remembered one in particular, Jack Harris, a Sebastopol boy. The energy and spirit he displayed in the militia work was the spirit that dominated him to-day in the sterner work of fighting to maintain the freedom and the destinies of the rest of the world. In all 300,000 had gone from Australia. It was not a ways the number, but the quality of the fighters, that prevailed three years ago, and since then men who were untrained, and had no thought of fighting, had faced the most highly trained and best seasoned troops of the world, and had defeated them, and he was proud to be there to help to honor them. He asked those who had not dear ones fighting for them that as the trees grew up they would allow to grow up in their hearts a love for them, and a consideration for them when they returned home. Mr J. Chatham, M.L.A., said he was pleased to have the privilege to join, with those who were doing their best to honor those boys at the front. He did not think that ceremony of planting trees would be the end of their patriotism.
- The State school children, who had raised £200.000 for the assistance of the soldiers were to be commended. He gave several instances of the original methods taken by the scholars 'to raise money. The scholars in the State schools to-day, were taught the true, meaning of patriotism. They could not over-estimate the obligations they owed to the soldiers for the work they had performed on the battlefields of Europe. ... [1]
Sebastopol Honour Roll