Council seeking families of honoured Mortlake service members

Published on 14 October 2026

The community is being asked to help bring together the families, friends and descendants of the service members whose names will be remembered in the first stage of the restored Mortlake Avenue of Honour.

Originally established in 1919, the Mortlake Avenue of Honour was created as a living memorial to the local men and women who served, played their part and, in some cases, made the ultimate sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars.

Now, as the first stage of a major restoration project nears completion, Moyne Shire Council is calling on the community to help reconnect those names with the people and families who carry their stories.

A special rededication service will be held in Mortlake on Sunday 15 November, marking the successful completion of the first stage of the project. The ceremony will run alongside the Mortlake Community Market and will include speeches, music and a barbecue by the Mortlake Lions Club.

Council is particularly keen for descendants, relatives and friends of the World War I service personnel commemorated in Stage 1 of the Avenue to attend where possible.

Moyne Shire Mayor Cr Jordan Lockett said the significance of the Avenue lies not just in the trees, but in the people and stories they represent.

“We are asking the community to help us find the families and friends connected to the service personnel being recognised in Stage 1 of the Avenue,” Cr Lockett said.

“There may be descendants living in Mortlake, across the district or much further afield who would value the opportunity to stand among these memorials and see the names of their family members honoured.

“Every person we are able to reach is another opportunity to bring a story home to the region.

“It is so important for communities to remember those who served and sacrificed so that we can have the lives we do today. Our local history is our legacy. It tells us where we have come from, who we are, and what we value.”

In January 2022, severe storm damage resulted in the removal of the original World War I section of Monterey Cypress trees, which had reached the end of their natural lives and posed a safety risk. The remaining World War II section is also scheduled for removal in 2029.

Rather than allow this remarkable piece of local heritage to disappear, Council, in partnership with the Mortlake RSL, the local community and Heritage Victoria, has restored the World War I section of the Avenue with 127 hardy evergreen Holm Oaks. The original memorial plaques have been restored and returned alongside the new trees, with replacement plaques made where needed.

Mortlake RSL President John McGuigan said the restoration of the Avenue was an important way of ensuring the service and sacrifice of local people would continue to be remembered.

“These people came from our community, and we are very proud of that. We want to make sure those stories continue to be remembered, and we would love to see the families of those honoured here join us for this special occasion.”

The restoration is an opportunity to ensure that the stories, names and sacrifices represented by the Avenue continue to have a place in the life of Mortlake for generations to come.

Council is now asking the community to help spread the word.

If you recognise a name, know a family connection, or think you may know someone who could help identify a descendant or relative, please contact them directly or share this message.

Council thanks the community in advance for helping make the rededication of the Mortlake Avenue of Honour a meaningful and memorable occasion.

To view the names of those recognised in Stage 1, learn more about the project or find out how you can be involved, visit the Engage Moyne website or contact Council at communications@moyne.vic.gov.au