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.
