Remembrance Day 2025

This year’s Remembrance Day service at the Arch of Victory will remember one nurse and twenty-three soldiers who lost their lives within sight of the end of the First World War.  The twenty-four names will be called during the short service that commences at 9.30am on Remembrance Day, Tuesday November 11th, at the Memorial Wall adjacent to the Arch of Victory.  During the wreath laying portion of the service, anyone is welcome to lay a tribute at the Wall.

Those to be honoured include:

• eighteen year old Thomas Veal, from Ford Street in Ballarat East who enlisted in 1915, served at Gallipoli then in France, and tragically died of Spanish flu ten days before the war ended.
• the Tait brothers, Lawrence and Robert from Barkly Street, who died in different parts of the world in the last three weeks of the war.
• Sister Gertrude Munro, from Alfredton, who had served for more than two years, mostly treating infectious diseases, before she succumbed just a month before the Armistice was signed.
• William Bale 
• Harry Clark
• Hugh Clarkson
• Stanley Cochrane
• Albert Davey
• Gustav Feild
• John Gear MC
• John Gregan
• Archibald Kerr
• David Louden
• George McLarty
• Henry Miller
• Henry O'Rourke
• Ernest Rowley
• John Standen
• Edmund Stevens
• Roland Sutcliffe
• Charles Tucker
• William Walsh
• Albert White

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Commemorative Service - August 2025

About 70 people braved a cold Ballarat winter morning on Sunday August 17th to remember those who died as a result of tragic accidents during World War 1.  Some of their stories were shared by Arch of Victory / Avenue of Honour President, Garry Snowden, like that of Otto Davies who was run over by a horse-drawn wagon and William Paisley who was killed by a lightning strike.  A number of floral tributes were laid at the foot of the Memorial Wall, adjacent to the Arch of Victory.

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Mother's Day 2025

The annual informal Mother's day service was held in the Garden of the Grieving Mother on Sunday May 11th.  A small crowd of around 60 people heard stories of mothers left behind and left floral tributes at the feet of Peter Corlett's statue of the Grieving Mother.

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Anzac Day 2025

A large crowd attended this year's Anzac Day service at the Arch of Victory in Ballarat which commemorated twenty sets of brothers who are honoured with trees in the Avenue of Honour and also remembered by street names in the nearby suburb of Lucas. As in other years, their names were be called, accompanied by the tolling of a bell, giving truth to the pledge 'We will remember them'.

The soldiers honoured in this service are listed below.  For residents of Lucas who would like more information about the soldiers after whom their street is named, simply click on their names below.  

If your street is not listed, please use the Search  functionality on this website to find more information.

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Remembrance Day 2024

Around 100 people attended a service at the Memorial Wall in the Arch of Victory precinct to commemorate the end of World War 1 and remember those who lost their lives in that conflict.  The president of the Arch of Victory / Avenue of Honour Committee, Garry Snowden, spoke of a number of fathers who did not return home.  21 names were read by Ballarat High School captains, accompanied by the tolling of a bell.

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Gallipoli August Offensive

A small crowd braved the chilly, yet sunny morning on Sunday  August 4th to attend a brief but special service to remember and honour all who fought in WW1, with emphasis on the August Offensive at Gallipoli in 1915.

The service began with a warm welcome and introduction by Jeremy Johnson AM, Hon. Secretary/Treasurer of the Arch of Victory / Avenue of Honour Committee.  Committee President, Garry Snowden followed with his address which emphasised the impact that WW1 had on Ballarat - the terrible loss of lives, the loss of workmates, team members, future leaders, employers, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers.  Not forgetting the difficulties that faced those who did return and those whose loved ones would never return, and whose final resting places were and are still, unknown.

Twenty-seven men were then remembered with the Tolling of the Bell and the Calling of Names, carried out by Grant Donald, Katie Skilton & Charlie Hann. The Ode was then recited by Phillip Hills and followed by The Last Post and Rouse, played by Bugler, Denis Hawkes. The Service concluded with thanks to all participants and those in attendance.

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Ballarat Heritage Festival 2024

As part of Ballarat’s Heritage Festival, members of the Avenue of Honour/Arch of Victory Committee were present on Sunday from 10am to 3pm for visitors to learn about the historical  significance of the Arch of Victory precinct.  Walking tours were given at 11.00am and 2.00pm.

There was also the opportunity to discover the stories of soldiers or nurses, by participating in a random name drawing game to find their tree number and then placing a poppy beside their name on the Memorial Wall; colouring activities for younger children; and a captivating photo display of some of Ballarat’s soldiers and nurses who have a tree in the Avenue of Honour.  Research assistance was on hand to help track family history and many a poppy was added to the Memorial Wall of family members who have a tree in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour.

 A big thank you as well to the Ballarat South Rotary Club for taking care of a free sausage sizzle.