Today's official opening and rededication of the Lefroy Memorial Avenue of Honour marks an important chapter in the Centenary of ANZAC celebrations for Tasmania.
Eleven men from Lefroy, out of 122 who enlisted, made the supreme sacrifice in battles in Gallipoli and the Western Front during the Great War and in September, 1918, a tree planting took place known as the Lefroy Memorial Avenue of Honour.
For many years these trees were called ``Soldier Trees'' by the locals but unfortunately, over the years, the avenue fell into disrepair and only three of the original 11 oaks remained.
The Returned Services League of Australia was made aware of the plight of the Avenue in 2006 and with grants and donations from the Australian and Tasmanian governments, the George Town Council and the George Town RSL the site has been restored and transformed.
Local businesses and volunteers also got behind the project in an outstanding show of community spirit which will ensure that the soldiers of Lefroy are remembered into the future.
We are honoured to support our veterans, especially during the Centenary of ANZAC, and helping to restore sites like this Lefroy Memorial Avenue of Honour helps maintain that historical link and educate current and future Australians.
Special congratulations also to the RSL which managed to locate and contact descendants of the 11 soldiers with a representative of each soldier at today's ceremony.