Marking the Great War’s centennial, the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue (FOSMA) hosted a major commemorative event in early August at the Soldiers Memorial Oval in Hobart. Aside from the official party comprising of Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania His Excellency Alan Blow AO, Hobart Lord Mayor Alderman Ron Christie, Direction of the Australian War Memorial, Dr. Brendan Nelson AO, and representative of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community Brenda Hodge, the event was also attended by many political and community VIPs, including descendants of soldiers and ex-service organisations, as well as students from local schools. The memories and heroic efforts of more than 500 fallen soldiers from the Great War are represented by more than 500 cedar trees, planted along the Soldiers Memorial Avenue, which runs 1.3 km from the Hobart aquatic centre to the Soldier’s Oval at Queens Domain. The Academy also attended to pay our respects and honour those who have served for Australia, our second motherland. The event was commemorated with the official party planting a tree during the centenary commemoration.
