Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Tintaldra Avenue of Honour

Mr TILLEY (Benambra) (09:57): On 8 October 1915 Kenneth Curlewis from Tintaldra fought and died on the attack on Hill 971 at Gallipoli. He is memorialised at Lone Pine. In Australia we planted a tree for him at Tintaldra. Ken was 21 when he made the ultimate sacrifice.

Gunner Leopold Vogel, from one of the oldest pioneering families of Tintaldra, fought and died in Belgium on 10 November 1916. He is buried at Ridge Wood, Belgium. We planted a Pinus canariensis for him too at Tintaldra. In fact a whole avenue of trees to honour not just Ken and Leo but also Ralph Lees, Bert Davies and Alfred Turner, who all made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I, was planted here in 1919.

In the past century the Tintaldra Avenue of Honour has survived three bushfires, including in 1932 and 1952. It should still be there today after the 2020 fires, but to our national shame it did not survive overzealous officials from Regional Roads Victoria. The council too is not without blame. These trees were scorched by flames but not burnt. I know this because I was there on 4 January this year. Highly respected experts suggested they be given a lifeline—six months grace—but before a more thorough examination could be conducted they were chopped down. I know there are plans to replace these trees, possibly as a mea culpa for the axing of this history and heritage. It is a promise that must be fulfilled so that in the future when people stop at Tintaldra and rest under the shade of Ken, Leo, Ralph, Bert and Alfred’s trees they will remember them. We will remember them. Lest we forget.