Hurstbridge Memorial Park and the Hurstbridge Avenue of Honour stand as memorials to local soldiers who served in WW1 and the spirit of the local community
On Saturday 31 August 1919, residents and visitors from the city gathered at Dorset House to honour the soldiers who had died or fought in the First World War (1914-18) from the Hurstbridge District.
Fifty trees were planted and the street was formally named Honour Avenue. The planting ceremony was followed by afternoon tea at Dorset House.
The trees planted, London Planes and Elms, were donated by Mr Charles Verso, local builder and farmer actively involved in the local community, and then Councilor William Gray, local Orchardist and Nurseryman. Only a few (Elms) of the original plantings remain. After the second World War, Honour Avenue was renamed Anzac Avenue.
Anzac Memorial Park was established in 1991.
Funding was received through the Anzac Centenary Grants Program for interpretive signage that acknowledges the history of the Hurstbridge Memorial Recreation Park as a memorial to all who served in the First World War. It was launched by Mr Andrew Giles MP, Federal Member for Scullin on the 20th July 2015. The Hurstbridge Avenue of Honour Plaque dedicated to local soldiers was launched the same day by Mayor, Shire of Nillumbik, Cr. Helen Coleman.
The interpretive panels will evoke the Hurstbridge community experience of the war, and honour the service of those who enlisted.
Source: http://monumentaustralia.org.au/
Nillumbik Shire Council launch invitation
Hurstbridge Heritage Trail plaque 6
Photo: War Memorials of Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea. Photographer Kev Howlett 2017
From records (Heritage Victoria) I believe that the correct name of the park is Hurstbridge Memorial Recreation Park & Reserve. The narrative names the park with two different titles, neither of which are the original name.
The article is confusing in that it talks about this park and then the Avenue of Honour which is in a different location.
The focus on this park, in Graysharps Road, is a few hundred metres away from the Avenue of Honour in Anzac Avenue; which is then referred to in the discussion.
The narrative then mentions ANZAC Memorial Park (5th paragraph), which is on the corner of the main road and ANZAC Avenue. This is the only mention of the park, and again this creates further ambiguity to the discussion.
Perhaps the last sentence should also be amended in respect of ” evoke the Hurstbridge community experience of the war” as Hurstbridge has one minor reference on the entire monument. In fact references to other districts are predominant.