Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue

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Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue FOSMA was set up to restore and preserve the Soldiers Memorial Avenue on the Queens Domain in Hobart , Tasmania. Over 530 trees were planted.

The Avenue was planted in 1918 and 1919 to commemorate those who had died on service in the Great War. The Soldiers Memorial Avenue was planted as the Great War began its fourth year. In Tasmania, at the bottom of the world, a third of the population came out for the first dedication day on Sunday August 3, 1918. The Avenue had been prepared by working bees on wintry Saturday afternoons. Families, friends and workmates walked or rode to the Domain to collect tools to prepare the holes for the trees. in all nearly 10,000 people attended the dedication of the first trees - nearly 390. in February 1919 a new crowd gathered to planted more trees for those who were not returning. in all by 1926 over 530 trees had been planted. Another war, the death of those who knew the men directly and the loss of all except 11 nameplates meant that by 2000 few knew what the Avenue was or even where it was. A section in the north had disappeared under a tip in 1961 - a promise to replant the trees unkept. Since 2003, FOSMA has worked with the Hobart City Council, RSL Tasmania, Tassal Group, and many donors large and small to restore it. For the basic work, we are nearly there.

108 years ago yesterday, the Soldiers Memorial Avenue was officially dedicated. As The Mercury reported, "There have, be...
04/08/2026

108 years ago yesterday, the Soldiers Memorial Avenue was officially dedicated. As The Mercury reported,

"There have, been many celebrations in Hobart, but none so impressive as that which gathered on the Domain on Saturday for the planting of the Memorial Avenue. All creeds and classes, sharing the same sorrows, and bound together by the same deep set bonds of love and nationality as weld their heroic sons were represented. Mothers and fathers in mourning for loved ones resting on lonely hillsides at Gallipoli and in the rural cemeteries of France, had healing wounds reopened. The atmosphere was heavy with -

"The grief that knows no tears
When the battle is lost or won."

At every tree there were touching incidents. At one, returned men filled the earth in memory of a "digger" who had nobody here to do it for him, no friends but the friends of his dugout and the trenches. ... Feeble old ladies and gentlemen, hand in hand attended, to others ...

Each tree is enclosed in a guard, and bears a board upon which is painted the soldier's battalion colours, the date of his death, and his name. The planting was completed by 5 o'clock, but along the winding and undulating course of the avenue, little knots remained till dusk like groups of pilgrims."

If anyone has photographs or other material relating to this significant day, please share with us.

Members of FOSMA spent a lovely morning during the week to clean all the plaques in readiness for Anzac Day. Thanks to a...
24/04/2026

Members of FOSMA spent a lovely morning during the week to clean all the plaques in readiness for Anzac Day. Thanks to all who helped.
Please take some time to walk the Avenue and to remember the love and loss that created it.

Address

Queens Domain
Hobart, TAS
7000

Telephone

03 6243 9839

Website

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