Waurn Ponds Memorial Reserve Print Page

The Memorial Reserve commemorates those who have served in the various conflicts in which Australia has been involved. The reserve was originally planted with trees in 1919 to commemorate those who enlisted in World War One. These trees no longer exist. 

In 1999 a grant was received from Veteran Affairs to update the reserve and trees were planted as a thank you to the soldiers who served in all wars.  The reserve contains the war memorial and plaques to other conflicts. 

The plaque on the war memorial records that the Waurn Ponds Avenue of Honour was planted in July 1919 to honour fifteen residents who served in World War One. There is also an information board in the reserve that states that 35 trees were originally planted but none no longer exist. The trees all had plaques and they were all returned to the family members if known.

However, according to the Trove newpaper article below, the original avenue was planted on the 21st June 1919. Thirty trees were planted in memory of the soldiers and one tree was planted in memory of Mr W. Volum, who had been president of the shire during the war. The inscription on the World War One Plaque appears not to have taken into account the names on the additional plaque. 

Waurn Ponds Soldiers
Commemorated By An Avenue of Honour. 
A large number of people gathered at the water reserve, opposite the Waurn Ponds State School on Saturday afternoon to witness the planting of trees in memory of the soldiers who enlisted from the district. Each tree is protected by a guard, which was provided by the Barrabool Shire Council ; on each guard is the name of a "digger." This is the list of 31 men commemorated: —
A. Ross (killed), G. Glew, A. Marendez, A. Harrison, R. Harrison, E.M'Kim, M Stokes, G. Vienet (killed), D.Vienet, H. Vienet, R. Wallis, R. Hunt, C. Hunt. G. Donohue, W. Honey, A. Henderson, L. Henderson, F. Frewin,  P. Frewin, J. Ross, L. Nicholson,  C. Delaz, P.Smith, L.Smith, C. Tetaz, A. M'Cann, N. Harrower, H. M'Kenna (killed) and J. Brown (killed), W.Glew. 

Another tree is to grow as a tribute of esteem to Mr. W.F Volum, who has been president of the Shire of Barraabool for the four years of the war. 
Excerpt from Geelong Advertiser (Vic), 23 June 1919.

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