THE planting of a lone pine tree at Alberton on Remembrance day has marked the official launch of the Avenues of Honour project in Port Adelaide.
A descendant of the lone pine in Gallipoli, the tree honours the sacrifices of 527 local servicemen and women in the Port Adelaide district who were killed in World War I.
The project will see an individual tree planted in the local Port Adelaide area in memory of every local person who has lost their life while serving their country.
Sponsor a tree in Port Adelaide's Avenue of Honour
Written into the landscape and history of Port Adelaide, it officiates the beginning of a living war memorial, surrounded by rosemary bushes originating from Anzac Cove.
A partnership between Port Adelaide Football Club, TreeNet, the RSL and Port Adelaide-Enfield City Council, the Avenue of Honour solidifies the Port Adelaide community’s commitment to remembering every war hero and their story for generations to come. 
The lone pine Avenue of Honour memorial located next to Alberton Oval. PHOTO: Tim Morris.
Port Adelaide chief executive officer Keith Thomas said the club is incredibly honoured to be a part of Port Adelaide's Avenue of Honour and humbled to be chosen as the site for the lone pine.
PTV: Lone pine planted at Port Adelaide
Given the numerous Port Adelaide players who have served in conflict and the club’s ongoing commitment to honouring those fallen, he said it made sense for the club to align with TreeNet on the project.
“Port Adelaide has a long association with the tradition of ANZAC Day, and when we first heard about the Avenues of Honour project it really appealed to us,” Thomas said.
“[The club] is a meeting place for this community and that’s a big part of the reason for choosing this site – we understand the role we play in this area.
“It’s a beautiful idea, and we will seek the support as ambassadors to raise awareness of the project.”
The national potential of the project prompted Thomas to approach the AFL with the concept, to help expand it beyond the Port Adelaide district.
“[The AFL] have said they’d like Port Adelaide to lead the charge, and show what could be done with a project of this size – we think this is a really good start,” he said.
The lone pine was planted on Wednesday morning by Port Legatee Joan Bennett and children from the WestPort Primary School, following a Remembrance Day ceremony.
We Will Remember Them.
Port Adelaide lays guernseys at graves of players lost in France
