Approximately six years ago, in early 2020, I was speaking with long-time Montrose resident Sue Beckwith, who made me aware of a “memorial tree”, or possibly a row of memorial trees, once located on the nature strip between the general store (896 Mt Dandenong Road) and the corner of Stradbroke Road. As I understood it, a number of flowering gum trees — possibly up to ten Eucalyptus ficifolia — had been planted along that stretch.

That conversation sparked my interest in the historical significance of these trees and the possibility that the last surviving red flowering gum tree could be lost as part of the Montrose Intersection Upgrade.

Since that initial discussion with Sue, I have spoken further to Sue Beckwith, Jack Balcombe and Jeanette Dodson — all long-term residents of Montrose — regarding the history of the tree or trees. Jack Balcombe explained that Hazel Haig, mother of Shirley Verity, both long-term residents of Montrose, was actively involved in the Montrose community and in organising Arbor Day activities. Jack believed it highly likely that Hazel had arranged for her daughter Shirley to plant an Arbor Day tree in Montrose. Sue Beckwith also confirmed that Shirley had spoken over the years about planting a tree on Arbor Day.

Over time, most of the trees disappeared, leaving only one surviving specimen.

Prior to the commencement of the roadworks, Eddie Tichelaar, representing the Montrose Township Group Inc, attended all Stakeholder Reference Group meetings with VicRoads and the Department of Transport. I had concerns that the final surviving flowering gum tree would be removed if and when the intersection upgrade proceeded. Acting on that concern, I collected a number of gum nuts and secured seeds from the tree in the hope that it could one day be propagated.

I then sought advice from Carl Heinze of Candlebark Nursery in Mooroolbark, who explained that transplanting mature eucalypts is generally unsuccessful. Shelley Graham from Karwarra Nursery in Kalorama confirmed the same. Shelley suggested grafting the flowering gum instead, explaining that grafting would preserve the tree’s beautiful red flowers, whereas propagation from seed could potentially result in white flowering trees.

Shelley later contacted Bruce Schroder, a Montrose local and member of the Australian Plants Society in the Maroondah area. Although Bruce was unable to undertake the grafting himself, he suggested contacting Humphris Nursery in Cardigan Road, Mooroolbark.

I subsequently met with Jenni Glover at Humphris Nursery. Jenni and Barry Humphris visited Montrose to inspect the tree and confirmed its identification as Corymbia ficifolia. Encouragingly, they advised that the tree could indeed be grafted and that up to ten trees could potentially be raised using new rootstock.

On Wednesday 21 February 2024, a representative from Humphris Nursery attended the tree site on Mt Dandenong Road and took cuttings to begin the grafting process. The following day, Thursday 22 February 2024, I received photographic confirmation that the grafts had been completed.

Sadly, on Wednesday 13 March 2024, as part of the Montrose Intersection Upgrade, the last remaining original Corymbia ficifolia was removed.

However, the story did not end there.

On Monday 12 January 2026, two surviving grafted Corymbia ficifolia trees were collected from Humphris Nursery and delivered to the Yarra Ranges Council Depot, where they were placed in the nursery area. Arrangements were made for the trees to be connected to the drip irrigation system to ensure their ongoing care and survival.

In conjunction with Yarra Ranges Council, it is now planned that one of these trees will be planted in the Montrose Town Centre gardens near the Montrose Historical Cottage and the Sister Edith Yeaman Memorial for all nurses that served, on Arbor Day, Sunday 26 July 2026 at 2pm.

The irony and beauty of this journey is that the original flowering gum tree was planted on the very nature strip outside the site where the Montrose Historical Cottage once stood — the same cottage where Sister Edith Yeaman once resided.

The Montrose Township Group Inc would like to acknowledge Mt Evelyn Community Bank for their financial assistance in making this project a resounding success.

• Arbor Day trees were planted throughout Montrose since 1909. (Refer Montrose Historical Photos)
• First planting of Honour Row trees on Arbor Day, Friday 26 July 1918 at 2pm. (Source: Ringwood & Croydon Chronicle, Friday 9 August 1918, page 3)
• Second planting of Honour Row trees on Arbor Day, Friday 30 July 1920 at 4pm. (Source: Croydon Mail or Lilydale Express, 13 August 1920)
• The exact location of the planting of these trees (Eucalyptus ficifolia Red Flowering Gums) is not totally clear. Nowhere does it clearly state that the trees were planted on the school grounds. It also doesn’t clearly state that they were planted outside the school grounds along what we now know as Leith Rd.
• While the exact location of Montrose’s 1918 Honour Row of Eucalyptus ficifolia (Red Flowering Gum) trees has not yet been conclusively established, the available evidence suggests that the trees were more likely planted along the township’s main approach road rather than within school grounds.
• No known newspaper report or surviving record located to date specifically states that the 10 trees were planted on the grounds of Montrose State School. In contrast, the wider Victorian practice during and immediately following World War I was for memorial trees and Avenues of Honour to be planted along roads leading into townships, creating a prominent and enduring public memorial visible to residents and visitors alike. Numerous Victorian examples demonstrate this pattern, with memorial plantings established on principal roads, township entrances, and public thoroughfares rather than within school reserves. (Monument Australia)
• The strongest physical clue supporting this interpretation is that the last surviving memorial tree on the principal approach road into Montrose was itself a Eucalyptus ficifolia (Red Flowering Gum), the same species recorded as being planted for the Honour Row in 1918. This surviving tree provides tangible evidence that at least part of the memorial planting was located along the township approach. Given that Honour Avenues and Honour Rows were commonly established as roadside memorials in Victoria, and in the absence of documentary evidence placing the trees within the school grounds, it is reasonable to conclude that the Montrose Honour Row was most likely planted along the main road entering the township as a living memorial to local servicemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War.
• Further research into early photographs, survey plans, school committee records, Arbor Day reports, and Shire of Lillydale documents may ultimately provide definitive proof of the original planting location. Until such evidence emerges, the surviving Red Flowering Gum on the township approach road remains one of the strongest indicators of where the 1918 Honour Row was originally established.
• We do know from a newspaper article in the Ringwood & Croydon Chronicle (page 3) that after the Eucalyptus ficifolia Red Flowering Gums were planted, everyone returned to the school grounds.
• What we do know is that Leith Rd only went from the corner of Montrose Rd to Trevallyn Rd (now known as Trevallyn Close) where the school is located; the next section of Leith Rd down to Swansea Rd was only a dirt road/track. (Source: The History of Montrose Street Names by The Montrose District Historical Society, written by Jeanette Dodson)
• Jeanette Dodson, who was a student at Montrose State School, remembered clearly (on 21 May 2026) that Leith Rd stopped at the school at that time and was only a dirt road/track down to Swansea Rd. Jeanette has absolutely no recollection of flowering gum trees outside the school boundary along Leith Road.
• It is highly unlikely that an Honour Row of trees (Eucalyptus ficifolia Red Flowering Gums) would be planted on a track when, in 1918, honour rows — based on patterns across Victoria — were mostly planted on approach roads to the township as a mark of respect to lives lost.
• What we do know is the last remaining Red Flowering Gum tree on what was the main approach road to Montrose in 1918 was in fact a Eucalyptus ficifolia Red Flowering Gum. This tree was removed as part of the Montrose Intersection Upgrade on 13 March 2024.
• We also have numerous historical photos of the Township of Montrose and the said trees, clearly at the entrance to Montrose on the Main Rd (Mt Dandenong Rd) near the general store/roundabout/intersection.
• Church grounds were also frequently used for memorial plantings, especially during wartime. Church of Christ Montrose has 10 Oak Trees.
• Many trees planted in Montrose on Arbor Days on public space through the years were surrounded by wooden stakes.
• Paula Herlihy from Mt Evelyn Historical Society told me on 12 May 2026 that at a presentation by Anthony McAleer OAM, Anthony clearly stated that he was unsure where the Honour Row of Flowering Gums was planted; he presumed outside the school grounds.
• The memorial plaque at the Montrose Primary School clearly states that: “Each of the men listed here on the plaque had a memorial tree planted in the school grounds in their honour.” 10 men, 10 Red Flowering Gums (Eucalyptus ficifolia). Yet newspaper reports clearly state 14 trees, pines and wattles, were planted around the school perimeter on 26 July 1918. By that date, 5 men had passed; by 1920 a further 5 had passed and 5 more Red Flowering Gums (Eucalyptus ficifolia) were planted. Nowhere on the school grounds is or was there evidence of Red Flowering Gums (Eucalyptus ficifolia) being at the school. There was, however, plenty of evidence of wattle and pines being on the school grounds — hence my conclusion that the Honour Row of Red Flowering Gums (Eucalyptus ficifolia) was planted at the entrance to our town, Montrose.