Wilkinson Avenue Memorial Avenue of Trees

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A memorial avenue of 140 trees. Media coverage: Newcastle Morning Herald 1953-11-09: 274 Trees Planted in 5 Streets Birmingham Gardens Coronation Tree-planting Committee began its project of planting 843 trees in 23 streets by planting 274 in five streets on Saturday. The Lord Mayor (Ald. Purdue) planted the first near the eastern end of the north footpath of Wilkinson Avenue. The lady Mayoress (Mrs. Purdue), Mr Griffiths, M.H.R., Messrs. Booth and Armstrong, M's.L.A., and Sergeant Brogden, for the police, each planted one on the north footpath. Crossing to the south footpath, Mrs. P. Beadle and Messrs. A. E. Peattie, J. Evans and A. Pace, for the committee, and Mrs. Gearing, for the Methodist community, each planted a tree. Members of the committee and residents continued the planting till late in the evening. Council's Help The types of trees were recommended by the Parks and Gardens Supervisor of Newcastle City Council (Mr. Sievert), and sites were pegged by members of his staff. Sandy loam from Raymond Terrace was in the holes already dug by residents and committeemen. The trees were supplied by a Wallsend nurseryman. The plantings were: Wilkinson Avenue, 140 flowering gums; Moore Street, 28 bauhinia; Vale Street, 54 crepe myrtle; Cameron and Fraser Streets 52 golden cyprus. The avenue of flowering gums in Wilkinson Avenue was dedicated to the fallen in the wars in a service conducted by Revs. J.S. Bullough and W. M. Sinfield. About 70 residents attended the ceremony. Ald. Purdue said the committee had originated a scheme to keep alive a perpetual reminder of a great event - the Coronation year of the Elizabethan era. He hoped all citizens would play their part in a cooperative effort to improve and beautify the area in which they lived. Mr. Booth said he had asked the Minister for Agricukture (Mr. Graham) for a grant of 100 pounds to help complete the project. The President of the committee (Mr. H. C. Myres) said a cheque had been received from the Tree Lovers' Leaque.