Avenue elms celebrated

20/7/18 North Photography Issue 24/7 Avenue Bacchus Marsh RSL President Cherrison Lawton with Poppies along the AVENUE OF HONOUR Pic Marco De Luca

By Sumeyya Ilanbey

Thousands of handmade poppies will adorn the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour to commemorate the centenary of its planting.

Locals have been busy knitting and crocheting the poppies for the past few years. At a procession service on Sunday, August 11, a bugle will be sounded before poppy wreaths are laid under the 281 elm trees.

The ceremony will also involve the Creswick RSL Light Horse Troop and a plane flyover, with official presentations to be held at Bacchus Marsh public hall.

Bacchus Marsh RSL president Cherrison Lawton said family members of about 100 World War I service men and women commemorated at the Avenue of Honour would join the service to lay the wreaths. School children will lay the remainder.

“I feel so honoured and privileged to be able to help organise this for the 100-year celebrations,” Ms Lawton said. “The community has really come together to make this possible.”

The event will start about noon at the eastern end of the Avenue of Honour.

Details: 0411 178 067