MEMORIALS OF MAITLAND PARK
Transvaal Avenue and the Boer War
The Boer War 1899 – 1902
The Mafeking Demonstration, 1 June 1900
At the turn of the Century, loyalties to the British Empire were strong
and, when the occasion arose, Australians were willing to fight alongside
British soldiers for the protection of the Empire. The longest and most
difficult colonial war in which Australian soldiers fought was the
South African, Transvaal, or Boer War between 1899 and 1902.
Many Australians were involved with the defence of a railway depot
town called Mafeking where supplies for the British and colonial forces
arrived by ship. The town was besieged for many months, and when
the battle was won by the colonialists including men from Maitland,
spontaneous celebrations erupted throughout the Empire. In Maitland,
civic representatives formed a committee and set about organising
a great procession and demonstration which took place on 1 June, 1900.
The conflict was between descendants of the early Dutch settlers in
South Africa and the later British colonialists and foreigners who had
gone to the gold diggings in the late 1860’s. Many men from Australian
country towns with riding, rifle and bushcraft skills joined their state’s
volunteer Colonial Imperial Bushmen or Citizens Bushmen contingents
to serve alongside the British forces as Australian units.
By the end of the war (the South African Boers surrendered on
31 May, 1902) more than 16,000 Australians had taken part in
the fighting. 538 were wounded, and over 606 died.
276 men from Maitland and surrounding districts served
in the South African Boer War.
Mafeking Day in Maitland Park, 1 June 1900.
(Photo courtesy of the NSW Mitchell Library)
It was quoted that:
‘never before in the history of Maitland had such a great gathering
of people been brought together…there must have been fully 20,000…
the greatest gathering ever held outside of Sydney...’
The colonial victory at Mafeking was the event
which led to the establishment of the ‘Transvaal Avenue’.
MEMORIALS OF MAITLAND PARK
Transvaal Avenue and the Boer War
The Planting of the Transvaal Avenue
Line of the Transvaal Avenue
The Transvaal Avenue, Maitland Park is the only known example
of an avenue planted to commemorate the Boer War (1899 – 1902)
in New South Wales. It is a remnant of the Maitland District’s
recognition of the Australian regiments’ successes in the
South African Boer War after the siege of Mafeking.
The naming and planting of Transvaal Avenue originally took
place in 1900 and is believed to be the earliest remembrance
avenue in Australia.
The Avenue was planted in three sections, from 1900 – 1923, from
1923 – 1992 and from 1993 to the present day. In 1923 the avenue
was realigned and replanted for the World War I monument.
Over 107 trees were planted in the first section of the Avenue on
August 31, 1900. The event was celebrated by over 600 spectators,
with a procession along High Street and Elgin Street to the park.
Original Plantings 1900
Each tree was given a name representing a victory, general or battle
of the Boer War. Joseph Leopold, a professsional horticulturalist
planned the Avenue and selected the trees, with many ornamentals
and exotics donated by Sydney plant nurseries.
Plantings from approx. 1923 – 1992
Plantings from 1993 to present day
Tree locations for the Transvaal Avenue
reinstatement program
Remains of the Original Avenue
Of the original Avenue, only 15 trees are thought to
remain including Eucalyptus, Kurrajong, Camphor
Laurel, Tamarisk, Silky Oak and Peppercorn trees.
Transvaal Avenue c.1920s showing the newly completed World War I monument at the centre with newly planted trees.
Trees from the 1900 planting are seen as mature specimens in the background. (Maitland City Council Photo Collection)