General News
8 December, 2024
Avenue of remembrance possible on Cannonbar Street
The Nyngan RSL Sub-Branch has approached Bogan Shire Council about planting an avenue of remembrance along the eastern end of Cannonbar Street as a reminder to locals and visitors of those who served.
Sub-Branch secretary Ray Donald said it was proposed that trees could be planted along either side of the road, between Hoskins Street and the Nyngan cemetery, with a sign placed at either end to mark their significance.
Council and the Sub-Branch have given consideration to several locations around Nyngan for this project, which will serve as a living war memorial. The Cannonbar Street site is close to the Nyngan cemetery, where the Sub-Branch holds a commemoration service each ANZAC Day.
It is also a location large enough to support an avenue of significant-sized trees and where the public could see them and be reminded of the sacrifices many local people made during times of war.
Planting trees as a war memorial has taken place around Australia since the Boer War. It was especially common after the Great War (1914–1918), which affected the lives of so many people and fostered a real need to establish lasting memorials.
There are many different types of trees planted in war memorials, often with direct links to the countries where Australian soldiers fought – for example, oaks and pines from Gallipoli, and oaks from France and Belgium. Some communities have planted different species in one memorial, and there are various planting formations.
Councillor Richard Bootle put a motion to the November council meeting for Indigenous tree species to be chosen.
Mr. Donald said the RSL Sub-Branch was keen to work with council to progress the project. “Our next meeting is scheduled for late February, to finalise arrangements for the ANZAC Day service next year. A definite location plan would be meaningful and a significant announcement for this service,” he said.