FIRST WORLD WAR AVENUES OF HONOUR: SOCIAL HISTORY THROUGH THE LANDSCAPE Michael J. Taffe BA (Armidale) BA Hons (Melbourne) MA (Melbourne) A thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Education and Arts Federation University Australia Ballarat, Australia February 2018 Table of Contents List of Figures .................................................................................................................. vi Preface ............................................................................................................................viii Preamble ........................................................................................................................... ix Abstract ............................................................................................................................ xi Statement of Authorship and Originality ........................................................................ xii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................xiii Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. xv Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 Context .............................................................................................................................. 2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 5 Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter Outlines................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter One – Historiography/Literature Review ............................................................. 13 1.1 Wartime Histories ............................................................................................... 13 1.2 Memory and Identity ........................................................................................... 16 1.3 Contested Histories ............................................................................................. 30 1.4 Perspectives ......................................................................................................... 34 1.5 Avenues of Honour as Heritage .......................................................................... 38 1.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 49 Chapter Two – Avenues of Life ............................................................................................. 51 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 51 2.2 Statues or Trees? ................................................................................................. 51 2.3 Symbolism ........................................................................................................... 53 2.4 Federation ............................................................................................................ 66 2.5 Arbour Day .......................................................................................................... 69 2.6 Gallipoli ............................................................................................................... 75 2.7 Roads and Beautification .................................................................................... 81 2.8 Distance ............................................................................................................... 85 2.9 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 88 Chapter Three – A New Nation ............................................................................................. 91 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 91 3.2 News from Home and Abroad............................................................................. 98 3.3 Of Loyalty and Avenues ..................................................................................... 99 iii 3.4 Australian Britons ............................................................................................. 102 3.5 Projects, Progress and Celebrations .................................................................. 107 3.6 Manufacturing and Memorials.......................................................................... 115 3.7 A Sense of Place ............................................................................................... 118 3.8 Conflicts and Avenues ...................................................................................... 125 3.9 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 129 Chapter Four – Avenues of Memories, Avenues of Hope ................................................ 131 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 131 4.2 From Little Acorns............................................................................................ 131 4.3 But Not Here ..................................................................................................... 135 4.4 Ballarat: A Case Study ...................................................................................... 139 4.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 163 Chapter Five – Ballarat and Beyond .................................................................................. 165 5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 165 5.2 Telling Letters ................................................................................................... 169 5.3 Media and Minutes ........................................................................................... 172 5.4 Western Victoria ............................................................................................... 174 5.5 Interstate Moves ................................................................................................ 179 5.6 Spreading the Word .......................................................................................... 190 5.7 A City with Vision ............................................................................................ 196 5.8 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 199 Chapter Six – Across the Seas ............................................................................................. 201 6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 201 6.2 From Ballarat with Love ................................................................................... 201 6.3 Britain ............................................................................................................... 204 6.4 Canada .............................................................................................................. 220 6.5 United States of America .................................................................................. 224 6.6 New Zealand ..................................................................................................... 231 6.7 Concluding Linkages, Comparisons and Development .................................... 232 6.8 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 237 Chapter Seven – After the Fighting.................................................................................... 239 7.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 239 7.2 Nature................................................................................................................ 239 7.3 The Spanish Flu ................................................................................................ 240 iv 7.4 The Roaring Twenties ....................................................................................... 241 7.5 The Great Depression ........................................................................................ 243 7.6 The Twilight of Memory ................................................................................... 244 7.7 Official Sanction – Official Neglect .................................................................. 251 7.8 The New Millennium ........................................................................................ 252 7.9 The Future ......................................................................................................... 255 7.10 Renewal and Rebirth ......................................................................................... 260 7.11 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 272 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................