Richmond’s Victoria Avenue

Avenues of trees were popular throughout Australia, particularly for commemoration. In 1897, a decision was made to establish an avenue of trees in the Hawkesbury, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria's long reign. 

Richmond's plane trees by M. Nichols, 2021 

From 1872, Richmond Council was the local governing body and in 1897, it was raised in a meeting that the Council should celebrate this momentous event. An avenue of trees was to be created across Ham Common and was to be named Victoria Avenue in her honour. Council agreed with the suggestion and plans were to be put into place. 

The following year it was reported that Richmond Council were intending to plant 100 trees from the corner of Windsor and Bourke Streets, to about halfway across the Common, approximately Clarendon.  It was decided to plant Plane trees as they reportedly grew quickly, were hardy and low maintenance. Richmond’s Town Clerk, Charles Guest was tasked with the assignment.

One hundred and fifty trees were ordered, the date for the event set and special guests invited. Locals were also encouraged to plant trees. The event to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, took place on the afternoon of Tuesday, 30 August 1898. A good crowd was in attendance, despite the non-stop rain and Victoria Avenue was declared opened. 

Windsor & Richmond Gazette 3 Sep 1898 p. 12

Richmond’s Mayor, Edward Stevenson, planted the first trees on the left, on the way out of Richmond, followed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Windsor, Mr and Mrs John Jackson Paine, who planted two on the right-hand side. 

Additional trees were arranged to be planted at a later date and within a fortnight it was reported that the majority of the trees were planted and fencing, for protection, constructed. However residents of Richmond were concerned when the Windsor community had not started planting trees from their end. 

In the early days, the trees struggled to survive. In 1899 some of the trees had to be replaced because of the hot weather. The Plane trees that had been planted in Chapel Street were about ten years old and were impressive comparison to those trees in Victoria Avenue.  The local newspaper reported that the new trees were not being tended and needed mulch or manure round the roots. 

The trees were planted during a very dry period. Australia experienced the Federation drought between 1895 until the early 1900s and the dry conditions obviously have an effect on the trees. By 1903 there were reports of more dead trees but again, they were replaced and the expense met by a number of local residents. 

Eventually the trees grew and thrived and became a notable feature of the town. In 1956, a storm with cyclonic winds hit Richmond, unroofed buildings and uprooted huge trees including several of the Plane trees, which had to be removed. The older and more substantial trees are situated between Bourke and Hobart Streets but over the years additional trees have been planted along the Hawkesbury Way. The name Victoria Avenue seems to have been lost in time.

Aviator Hart flies into Richmond - TROVE TUESDAY

William Ewart Hart (1885-1943), is known as one of Australia's pioneer aviator. Born in Parramatta in 1885, he took a keen interest in the fledgling aviation production as a young man. In 1911 he purchased a Bristol Box-kite and flew solo a few months later, he was only 24. He also held the No. 1 Australian flying licence.

He participated in several ‘first’ in relation to aviation races including NSW first cross-country race from Penrith to Sydney, as well as Australia’s first air race beating the competition from America.

By March 1912 he left Penrith and set himself up on a part of Ham Common. There are numerous newspaper accounts of the strange effects his early flights had on the local community, including the equine& bovine members!! Apparently the cows followed the plane as was moving around the airfield. “Later on, as Bill began to fly around the countryside, several owners instituted claims against him for frightening horses that got killed or crippled when galloping away and at the same time looking up at the contraption in the sky and running in to fences, buildings, or other obstacles.”  

He built a two-seat monoplane on the land (located near the old Methodist cemetery which now forms Richmond Lawn Cemetery) but crashed the plane whilst completing a test flight in early September. Returning to Richmond from Freemans Reach, the engine stalled. Amazingly he survived a fall of over 100’ but sustained terrible injuries. His injuries included a compound fracture of the left leg and a bad wound on the thigh. He received a broken right knee-cap as well as back and head injuries. Hart was taken to Windsor Hospital where he was treated. The newspapers reported it was a wonder he was not killed.

Windsor &Richmond Gazette 7 September 1912, p. 4.
Retrieved  from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85845782  

Hart eventually recovered although he did not fly again. He joined the AIF in 1916 in the No.1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. He was an instructor and travelled to Egypt as well as Britain, but was eventually discharged. 

He returned to his occupation as a dentist and initiated new developments within the field of dentistry. He attempted to enlist in WW2 however he was found to be medically unfit.

Hart died in Sydney on 29 July 1943 and his obituary reports the RAAF performed a flyover at his funeral. The year following his death, the newspaper noted a committee located in Parramatta had requested that the Federal Government change the name of the aerodrome at Richmond established in 1925, in his honour. The renaming did not take place and it is still known as RAAF Base Richmond.