General News
21 January, 2025
Dimboola Avenue of Honour: Charles 'Trees' Rees
Helping Hands is a series introducing some of those people who selflessly donate their time and skills for the benefit of our community.
In this week's column, we visit Charles "Tree" Rees.
Volunteer Charles Rees has a fascination with trees – in particular, Australian natives which, combined with his extensive knowledge of World War I history, made him a shoe-in for the volunteer job of co-ordinator of the Dimboola Avenue of Honour Restoration Project.
"Trees are part of my DNA," Charles said.
"I've been involved with choosing and planting trees since my childhood on the farm.
"Friends in 1973 nicknamed me 'Trees' and the name stuck.
"It's a passion.
"And a good volunteer needs passion – that and a capacity to give back."
Charles, an RSL member, says his work on the restoration of Dimboola's Avenue of Honour began in 2012 with the planting of 30 trees for the plaques without trees of servicemen who died in World War I.
Initially, he worked alongside RSL president Ivan Jones, but now, as conservator and project co-ordinator, he works much of the time alone, making his own decisions.
He says he prefers that but he keeps his mind open to the suggestions of others.
"You have to keep an open mind when the community is the benefactor of your time," he said.
"The community pays for the trees and their upkeep."
Charles also seeks knowledge from arborists and nursery owners.
A vast watering system had to be installed beneath the avenue of honour to ensure the survival of the saplings.
His work at the Dimboola War Memorial additionally involves managing logistical problems other than tree conservation and maintenance.
On the school council as a community representative, he is currently working in an advisory capacity on the installation of three new flagpoles at the school, and he was wholly responsible for the 2019 ceremony unveiling the Dimboola War Memorial Interpretive Sign outlining the history of the memorial, also having worked with the RSL on its creation,
Charles does not consider himself a historian.
"Others have seen me that way because I speak on historical sites and matters," he said.
It was one such talk that led the historical society member Margret Menzel to encourage Charles to join as a volunteer at the Dimboola Historical Society, where having access to Ian Lehmann's history of the brass band led him to uncover the mystery of the unknown connection between four honoured servicemen.
Charles puts his volunteer spirit down to his heritage, as both his parents and his great-grandparents were community-minded.
"Half the jobs that need doing in Dimboola wouldn't get done if it weren't for the town's volunteers," he said.