The Avenue of Honour was planted at King George’s Park on July 31, 1918. 

The trees were planted in honour of the soldiers from the region who served and died in the First World War. 

The state government provided $19,780 for the park’s restoration project. 

Four new trees were planted in the park on Tuesday to honour those who served and died in the war, as well as to commemorate the park’s 100^th anniversary. 

The first tree planted on Tuesday was in honour of Sergeant William Young of St Arnaud. 

St Arnaud RSL president Robert Wooley said Sergeant Young was the first Australian to fire a shot under war conditions in 1914. 

He said it was significant for him to see the planting of Sergeant Young’s tree at the ceremony because of his role in the First World War.

Students from St Arnaud Secondary College attended the ceremony.

Co-school captain Samuel Rice said it was a special event. 

“I feel like it’s the handing over of the torch, metaphorically speaking – the fact that it’s now up to us to look after the trees and making sure that our past isn’t forgotten and that these people remain honoured through the ages,” he said. 

“This restoration was really momentous to the community.

“They previously had the trees there and then they fell down.

“They felt like it was forgotten.

“It has restored a feeling of pride and its a great thing to do.” 

Northern Grampians Mayor Tony Driscoll said it was great to see all of the students from St Arnaud Secondary College at the ceremony. 

“They are our future leaders and custodians of those future memories,” he said. 

“The connection to the school houses was pretty significant as well.”

Houses at the school are named lance corporal Edgar C. Holmes, sergeant Ernest D. Morshead and private Cyril S. Wilmott. 

House captains spoke at the ceremony about the significance of the people the houses are named after. 

There were 59 trees planted in dedication to soldiers at the park. 

The plaques of the trees are now on display at St Arnaud RSL.