Sunshine is a step closer to re-establishing an Avenue of Honour in Wheelahan Gardens, almost 60 years after the original memorial was lost to history.
Brimbank council has thrown its support behind Sunshine and District Historical Society’s $30,000 plan for the gardens, which would add oak trees to an existing line of trees to make it a “consistent avenue”.
As part of the plan, lemon- scented gums would be planted along Dickson Street, to connect the park to the western boundary of Sunshine RSL Club.
Sunshine’s first Avenue of Honour was planted in 1917 as a homage to World War I veterans but was removed in 1956 to allow access to new homes being built in the area.
The historic society’s plan includes signage to provide historical background. The names of the 216 veterans from the area who served in World War I will also be listed.
The society will apply for funding for the project via the federal government’s Anzac centenary grants program, which closes on May 30.
“The precedent for this is Bacchus Marsh’s Avenue of Honour,” society curator Allan Dash said. “It’s an exciting project that will recapture the history of Sunshine. But if there’s no grant, it’s no go.”
Council administrator Jane Nathan said the project would serve as an ‘‘important reminder … of sacrifices made’’.
