The lives of twenty-five World War I soldiers were honoured at Mount Wycheproof on ANZAC Day with the re-dedication of its “forgotten” Avenue of Honour.

As a result, Wycheproof’s Anzac Day services were very well attended, from the dawn service through to the special event on the side of the mount, with visitors coming from as far as Western Australia to remember relatives who had made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.

An official service was held at Memorial Park, with president of the Wycheproof RSL sub-branch, Graeme “Tige” Allan, officiating proceedings in the traditional way: hymns were sung, flags raised, and wreaths laid at the foot of the cenotaph. A minute’s silence was observed, followed by the “Last Post” and “Reveille,” played by bugler Corey Harrison and the Ode recited.

Guest speaker

Major Dean Simmons was the guest speaker of the day. He spoke of sacrifice and mateship, listing the qualities synonymous with the spirit of the ANZACs: courage – both moral and physical, facing danger and hardship under extreme conditions; endurance – persisting through physical and emotional strain; mateship – loyalty, trust, and mutual support between comrades; sacrifice – a willingness to endure loss for a greater cause; and larrikinism – not taking authority too seriously, using humour, sarcasm, or wit to challenge rules or hierarchy, and tending to bend the rules and be a little mischievous.

That last trait he emphasised as uniquely “Australian.” This combination of qualities, particularly the ability to hold on to a sense of humour in high-pressure situations, has set Australian and New Zealand soldiers apart and helped them gain elite military status.

His address was both solemn and humorous, honouring the ANZACs with the same spirit he had just described. And the larrikin was not lost on the present day, especially with “Tige” returning to the microphone. He invited Father Gerry Prunty forward for the Lord’s Prayer, along with a reminder to himself (and everyone else) not to forget the National Anthem this year.

Both the New Zealand and Australian national anthems were then sung, and the many volunteers and contributors to the day’s events were thanked, particularly the Charlton-Wycheproof Brass Band, which had travelled from Charlton to Wycheproof Memorial Park, then Mount Wycheproof before heading to Culgoa for its final commitment on a busy day.

Avenue of Honour

Following the service at Memorial Park, there was a few minutes for a catch-up between friends prior to the shuttle bus departing for the Avenue of Honour. Utilising a couple of side-by-sides, people with mobility issues were safely transported to Mount Wycheproof’s recreation reserve, while others got their blood pumping by walking up the hill, building an appetite for the barbecue lunch to follow.

Friends of Mount Wycheproof chairman, Martin Duke, welcomed everyone to the reserve and thanked the many who contributed to the event, before introducing speaker, Alex Morrison, who, along with his wife Joy, was instrumental in bringing the restoration to fruition.

Alex gave a brief history of the stand of 25 Kurrajong trees, which were planted in 1918 as a way to hold a “funeral” for loved ones who would never return. The planting was organised by the women of the Soldiers Comfort Fund, who, during wartime, volunteered to send care packages to deployed soldiers overseas. The Avenue of Honour itself was initiated by these women, with Miss A. Coatsworth planting the first tree in 1918 at a special opening ceremony. Additional trees were planted up until 1926, eventually bringing the total to 25.

The day’s proceedings gave a nod to this history, with Alex inviting the women in the crowd who had connections to the fallen soldiers to stand with Marnie Durie, Andrea Coatsworth, and Vivian Parish as they cut the ribbons and unveiled the plaque of the “nearly forgotten” memorial.

Re-discovered in 2016, it was remarkable to find that sixteen of the original trees remained, with the nine replacements propagated from their seeds. After a slight tussle with native wildlife, these new trees are now establishing themselves well at the eastern end of the avenue.

Those soldiers who lost their lives in World War I, and who are honoured by this avenue, were: John Moore Daniell, Alexander Denney, Nathaniel Gilbert, Frederick Gilbert, Charles Griffin, Leslie Hayes, George Hull, John Kerr, Alfred Lobley, George Martin, Alexander McDonald, William McElhinney, Alexander McPherson, George Nicholls, Joseph Orr, Harold Orrock, Percy Orrock, Stanley Robinson, John Ryan, Walter Sayers, Robert Slocombe, and Stanley St Claire.

Many relatives and connections to these fallen soldiers were in attendance, swelling the crowd to record numbers at each service held throughout the day. The lunch that followed at the rotunda became a social occasion; stories and histories were shared among distant relatives, united by a common recognition of the sacrifices made by those who came before them. Visitors were encouraged to explore local museums and other war memorials, including the Lions Avenue of Honour at the northern end of town and the new plaque at the summit of the mount, creating a day rich in reflection on ANZAC history.

So many volunteers contributed to the success of the day’s services and thanks must go to: Wycheproof RSL sub-branch members and associates, Friends of Mount Wycheproof, Buloke Shire Council, Wycheproof P-12 College, the local Lions Club, Historical Society, Op Shop and Resource Centre, Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, Calder United Hockey Club, Wycheproof Cemetery Trust, the Charlton-Wycheproof Brass Band, and many other individuals.

See the full coverage of ANZAC Day 2026 from around the region in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 30 April 2026.