Sidney Webb

Two plaques commemorate the planting of Narrre Warren’s iconic avenue of oak trees in 1890 by Sidney Webb on this corner. One marks the planting itself, the other, the centenary of the planting.

Sidney John Webb (c1844-1920) was the publisher of the Age, Leader and Australian newspapers beforee retiring to the Hotham and West Melbourne Newsagency. He was one of the founders of the Victorian Authorised Newsagents Association (VANA).

Sometime around 1880 he purchased Holly Green in Narre Warren and was keenly interested in the science of farming. He is said to have been the first to introduce a double plough and a reaper and binder to the area. He led the campaign to obtain Narre Warren’s railway station and donated land for the school and Mechanics’ Institute in Webb Street. He served as honorary secretary and treasurer of the institute for 25 years. Perhaps his most enduring legacy is the avenue of oak trees which line the Princes Highway. The oaks were purchased from the Nobelius Nursery at Emerald and planted in 1890 on both sides of the Princes Highway but half were lost when the highway was duplicated in the 1970s.

Holly Green (later renamed Brechin) has also been lost to Narre Warren, part of its garden remains at Brechin Drive, behind McDonalds and Red Rooster.

Reference: Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District: Narre Warren & District Family History Group. 2010

Sidney Webb’s oak tree planting plaque

Transcription

Honouring / Sidney John Webb / who planted this row / of oak trees in the / year 1890

Sidney Webb’s oak tree planting centenary plaque

Transcription

This plaque / is to mark the centenary of / the planting of / this avenue of oaks / by / Sidney Webb / in 1890

Sidney Webb’s oak tree planting plaque

Sidney Webb’s oak tree planting centenary plaque