Inverell Public School Second World War Memorial Trees

About

At a meeting of the Inverell Public School Parents and Citizen's Association in June 1951, it was decided to plant trees in the school grounds in memory of ex-students who gave their lives in the Second World War. Thirty trees had been ordered and were expected to arrive that month. An appeal was made to relatives to supply names of the ex-students. On Saturday 16 June, a working bee was to be held to dig holes for the trees (The Inverell Times, 15 June 1951). A further report concerning the project was published in the Inverell Times on 4 July. The trees were planted on Wednesday, 18 July 1951 and included silky oak, sugar gum, and lemon scented gum. The Times published a detailed report of the ceremony two days later. At that stage, seven names had been received by Headmaster Mr Bofinger: Robert L Burtenshaw, Ronald P Burtenshaw, Donald H Caine, George A Guan, Vincent C Nesbitt, Douglas H Turner, and William R Wicks. It was planned to install plaques inscribed with their names near the trees once they had matured and to have different classes care for the trees. As at 2021, several trees remain on site; however, there is no evidence of any memorial plaques nearby.

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