Lone Pine for New Norfolk

A TREE commemorating the World War I Battle of Lone Pine will be planted at New Norfolk as part of local Remembrance Day activities this Friday. Originally called Armistice Day, November 11 is the date of the cessation of hostilities between the warring nations in 1918.

The Derwent Valley Council and the New Norfolk RSL Sub-Branch will stage a Remembrance Day Service starting at 10.45am this Friday, November 11, at the Cenotaph outside the Derwent Valley Council Chambers in High St, New Norfolk.

The service will be immediately followed by the planting of a Lone Pine seedling on Arthur Square at the opposite end of High St. Cultivated from a tree planted at the Cornelian Bay Cemetery, the Lone Pine seedling has been donated to the town by Lyons Liberal MHA Guy Barnett, Minister for Resources and Minister for Building and Construction.

The Battle of Lone Pine was fought over four days along a ridge line at Gallipoli in August 1915. During the intense fighting, over 2000 Australians became casualties and seven Victoria Crosses were awarded—a staggering number given that only 100 Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Australians.

The original Lone Pine was a solitary tree which marked the site of the Battle of Lone Pine in 1915. Pines which are planted as a memorial to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought at Gallipoli are also known as "Lone Pines" or "Gallipoli Pines", referencing the original tree.