A wall of remembrance listing the men and women recognised on Woodend’s Avenue of Honour was officially unveiled by former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer on Sunday.
Developed by Peter Whitelaw on behalf of Woodend RSL, the project originated from a proposal by the late Muirean Currie in 2003.
Made possible with the help of federal, state and Macedon Ranges council funding for projects marking the centenary of World War I, the 2.5-metre-high wall also lists the 180-plus English and Algerian oaks planted in 1918 to honour Woodend and Newham residents who enlisted in the Great War.
Mr Whitelaw said the polished black granite wall, created by local artists Ashika and Padma Ostapkowicz, had rejuvenated the memorial precinct.
‘‘Originally, all the trees had copper plaques,’’ he said. ‘‘We managed to find about 70 of them, but the remainder … about 110 or something … have probably been stolen or mulched up by the mower over the years.
‘‘Until now, people often haven’t been able to tell which names are on the trees.’’
A large number of descendents of the town’s original service men and women were present for Sunday’s ceremony.
