Boroondara General Cemetery, often referred to as Kew cemetery, is one of the oldest

cemeteries A cemetery, burial ground, gravesite or graveyard is a place where the remains of dead people are buried or otherwise interred. The word ''cemetery'' (from Greek , "sleeping place") implies that the land is specifically designated as a buri ...

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

, Australia, created in the tradition of the Victorian garden cemetery. The cemetery, located in

Kew Kew () is a district in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Its population at the 2011 census was 11,436. Kew is the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens ("Kew Gardens"), now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace. Kew is a ...

, a suburb of

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

, is listed as a heritage place on the

Victorian Heritage Register The Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) lists places deemed to be of cultural heritage significance to the State of Victoria, Australia. It has statutory weight under the Heritage Act 2017. The Minister for Planning is the responsible Minister. H ...

History

The cemetery site was reserved in 1855 and trustees were first appointed in 1858. A

site plan A site plan or a plot plan is a type of drawing used by architects, landscape architects, urban planners, and engineers which shows existing and proposed conditions for a given area, typically a parcel of land which is to be modified. Sites pl ...

was drawn up by Frederick Acheson, a civil engineer in the Public Lands Office, with the layout segregated by

religious denomination A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name and tradition among other activities. The term refers to the various Christian denominations (for example, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and the many varie ...

, a common occurrence at the time. The first burial took place in 1859. In 1864

Albert Purchas Albert Purchas (1825 – 1909) was a prominent 19th century architect and surveyor in Melbourne, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. Early life Albert Purchas was born in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales in 1825, the son of Robert Whittlesey Purcha ...

, who was architect and surveyor for the

Melbourne General Cemetery The Melbourne General Cemetery is a large (43 hectare) necropolis located north of the city of Melbourne in the suburb of Carlton North. The cemetery is notably the resting place of four Prime Ministers of Australia, more than any other nec ...

, joined the trust. Purchas is believed to be the designer of the landscape layout as well as many of the features of the cemetery including the cast iron entrance gates (1889), the rotunda (1890) and the surrounding ornamental brick wall (1895–6), as well as various additions to the original 1860 Cottage in the period 1866–1899 including the clock tower. The design of the cemetery was influenced by the Victorian garden cemetery movement. This influence was reflected in the curving path network following the contours of the site, the creation of defined views and a park like setting. In the latter half of the twentieth century the cemetery was becoming full and many pathways and grassed verges were used to provide new burial sites. At the same time, many of the older Victorian monuments began to fall into disrepair due to their age and lack of funding to maintain them. However, since about 2010, with the assistance of enthusiastic volunteers from the Friends of Boroondara (Kew) Cemetery, the cemetery is undergoing a horticultural renaissance, returning to its early glory as a garden cemetery. In 2001 the Peace Haven

Mausoleum A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be consid ...

was built by the Cemetery Trust to cater for growing demand for above-ground burials and interments, and in 2011 garden crypts were opened in a bushland setting near the High Street pedestrian gate. The cemetery is still an operating cemetery, offering a range of burial and interment options.

Burials and memorials

The cemetery has had more than 80,000 burials since 1859. Among these are some very prominent Melburnians. The Syme memorial was constructed in 1908 in memory of

David Syme David Syme (2 October 1827 – 14 February 1908) was a Scottish-Australian newspaper proprietor of ''The Age'' and regarded as "the father of protection in Australia" who had immense influence in the Government of Victoria.C. E. Sayers,Syme, Da ...

, publisher of ''

The Age ''The Age'' is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Owned and published by Nine Entertainment, ''The Age'' primarily serves Victoria (Australia), Victoria, but copies also sell in Tasmania, the Austral ...

'' newspaper. It has a temple-like appearance and

Egyptian Egyptian describes something of, from, or related to Egypt. Egyptian or Egyptians may refer to: Nations and ethnic groups * Egyptians, a national group in North Africa ** Egyptian culture, a complex and stable culture with thousands of years of ...

motifs. Between 1889 and 1907 the

Springthorpe Memorial The Springthorpe Memorial is an elaborate Victorian era memorial located within Boroondara General Cemetery in Kew, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The memorial was built by Melbourne doctor John Springthorpe, in honour of his wife ...

was constructed on behalf of Dr John Springthorpe in memory of his wife, Annie and in 1912 the Cussen Memorial was commissioned by Sir Leo Cussen, a judge of the

Victorian Supreme Court The Supreme Court of Victoria is the highest court in the Australian state of Victoria. Founded in 1852, it is a superior court of common law and equity, with unlimited and inherent jurisdiction within the state. The Supreme Court compri ...

as a memorial to his son, Hubert. The latter is a small chapel designed in the

Gothic Revival Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic, neo-Gothic, or Gothick) is an architectural movement that began in the late 1740s in England. The movement gained momentum and expanded in the first half of the 19th century, as increasingly ...

style. The Springthorpe and Cussen Memorials are listed separately on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Notable interments

John Arthur Andrews John Arthur "Jack" or "J.A." Andrews (27 October 1865 – 26 July 1903), was an Australian anarchist theoretician, agitator and journalist. He was also a poet and inventor and author of fiction. He was born in Bendigo, Victoria to John Andrew ...

(1865-1903), anarchist, journalist, poet, linguist *

George Henry Bennett George Henry Bennett (18508 September 1908) was a brewer and a politician. Bennett was born in Buckie, Banffshire, Scotland. His family emigrated to Australia in 1855. He managed the Victoria Sugar Co. and later, with a partner, owned Excelsi ...

(1850-1908), brewer, benefactor, politician, Mayor of

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, ...

, president of

Richmond Football Club The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is an Australian rules football team playing in the Australian Football League (AFL). Between its inception in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond in 1885 and 1907, the club competed in the Victo ...

Graham Berry Sir Graham Berry, (28 August 1822 – 25 January 1904), Australian colonial politician, was the 11th Premier of Victoria. He was one of the most radical and colourful figures in the politics of colonial Victoria, and made the most determined e ...

(1822-1904), Premier of Victoria *

Joseph Bosisto Joseph Bosisto CMG, MLA JP (21 March 1827 – 8 November 1898), was a chemist and politician in colonial Victoria, Australia. Background Bosisto was the son of William Bosisto and Maria née Lazenby, of Cookham, Berkshire, and was born on 21 M ...

(1827-1898), chemist, politician, eucalyptus manufacturer and advocate *

Louis Buvelot Louis Buvelot ( Morges 3 March 1814 – Melbourne 30 May 1888), born Abram-Louis Buvelot, was a Swiss landscape painter who lived 17 years in Brazil and following 5 years back in Switzerland stayed 23 years in Australia, where he influenced the H ...

(1814-1888), artist * E.W.Cole (1832-1918), "Cole of the Book Arcade", bookseller and children's book publisher * Amalie Colquhoun (1894-1974), artist *Madge Connor (1874-1952), pioneering police officer, private investigator * Evelyn Conyers (1870-1944), Australian army nursing matron *

Leo Cussen Sir Leo Finn Bernard Cussen (29 November 1859 – 17 May 1933), Australian jurist, was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Cussen died at his home in Melbourne on 17 May, 1933. Early life and education Cussen was born in Portland on ...

(1859-1933), jurist *

William Davidson William or Bill Davidson may refer to: Businessmen * Bill Davidson (businessman) (1922–2009), Michigan businessman and sports team owner ** William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan, named in honor of Bill Davidson * William Davidson ( ...

(1844-1920), engineer, pioneer of Melbourne's water supply *

Owen Dixon Sir Owen Dixon (28 April 1886 – 7 July 1972) was an Australian judge and diplomat who served as the sixth Chief Justice of Australia. A judge of the High Court for thirty-five years, Dixon was one of the leading jurists in the English-s ...

(1886-1972), Chief Justice * Edmund Duggan (1862-1938), actor & playwright *

Frank Gavan Duffy Sir Frank Gavan Duffy, KCMG, KC (29 February 1852 – 29 July 1936) was an Australian judge who served as the fourth Chief Justice of Australia, in office from 1931 to 1935. His total service on the High Court of Australia was from 1913 to ...

(1852-1936), Chief Justice * Edward Dunn (1844-1937), geologist *

William Fitchett William Alfred Robertson Fitchett (6 February 1872 – 15 August 1952) was an Anglican bishop in New Zealand. He was the Bishop of Dunedin from 1934 to 1952. Fitchett was born in Christchurch and his father was the Very Reverend Alfred Robertso ...

(1841-1928), journalist, educator *Major General John Forsyth (1867-1928), soldier * Thomas Sergeant Hall (1858-1915), scientist *

Lesbia Harford Lesbia Harford (9 April 1891 – 5 July 1927) was an Australian poet, novelist and political activist. Biography Lesbia Venner Keogh was the first child of Edmund Joseph Keogh and Beatrice Eleanor Moore, great-great-granddaughter of an Earl of ...

(1891-1927), poet * H.C.A. Harrison (1836-1929), sports administrator, pioneer of Australian Rules Football *Helen Hart (1842-1908), feminist, evangelist * Edythe Ellison Harvie (1902-1984), architect *

Edward Henty Edward Henty (28 March 1810 – 14 August 1878), was a pioneer British colonist and is regarded as the first permanent settler in the Port Phillip district (later known as the colony of Victoria), Australia. Early life and family background E ...

(1812-1878), pioneer *Major General

Godfrey Irving Major General Godfrey George Howy Irving (25 August 1867 – 11 December 1937) was a senior Australian Army officer during the First World War. Early life and career Godfrey George Howy Irving was born on 25 August 1867 at the University of M ...

(1867-1937), soldier *Jules François de Sales Joubert (1824–1907), impresario, prospector *

Ian MacFarlan Ian Macfarlan (born John Robert Macfarlan; 21 November 1881 – 19 March 1964) was the Deputy Leader of the Australian Liberal Party in the Australian state of Victoria during 1945. He was briefly commissioned as the 35th Premier of Victor ...

(1881-1964), Premier of Victoria *

Marion Macfarlane Marion Macfarlane (19 July 1840 – 29 April 1898) was the first woman to be ordained in the Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican Church in Australia. She was ordained to the "Female Diaconate" in 1884 in the Diocese of Melbourne, then in 188 ...

(1840-1898), Anglican deaconess and Roman Catholic nun *John Simpson Mackennal (1832-1901), sculptor & architect *

Mona McBurney Mona Margaret McBurney (29 July 18624 December 1932) was a British pianist, teacher and composer who lived and worked in Australia. Life Mona McBurney was born in Douglas, Isle of Man, the youngest of six children of teacher and scholar Isaiah ...

(1862-1932), composer *

Georgiana McCrae Georgiana Huntly McCrae (15 March 1804 – 24 May 1890) was an English-Australian painter and diarist. Early life Born in London, she was the illegitimate daughter of George Gordon, the Marquess of Huntly, son and heir to Alexander, 4th Duk ...

(1804-1890), pioneer, artist, diarist *

William Murray McPherson Sir William Murray McPherson, KBE (17 September 1865 – 26 July 1932) was an Australian philanthropist and politician. He was the 31st Premier of Victoria. Early life and philanthropy He was born in Melbourne, the son of a prosperous Scottis ...

(1865-1932), Premier of Victoria *

John Michell John Michell (; 25 December 1724 – 21 April 1793) was an English people, English natural philosophy, natural philosopher and clergyman who provided pioneering insights into a wide range of scientific fields including astronomy, geology, opti ...

(1863-1940), mathematician * Francis Murphy (1809-1891), politician, first Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly *

Charles Nuttall Charles Nuttall (born James Charles Nuttall; 6 September 1872 – 28 November 1934) was an Australian artist noted for his illustrations. Nuttall, son of James Charles Nuttall, was born at Fitzroy, Victoria. He received his art training at the N ...

(1872-1934), artist, writer * William Orr (1843-1929), mining magnate and politician *

John Gibson Paton John Gibson Paton (24 May 1824 – 28 January 1907), born in Scotland, was a Protestant missionary to the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific. He brought to the natives of the New Hebrides education and Christianity. He developed small in ...

(1824-1907), Presbyterian missionary to Vanuatu *Carl Pinschof (1855-1926), merchant, consul, arts patron *

(1825-1909), architect, surveyor * Joseph Reed (1823-1890), architect *

Stanley Savige Lieutenant General Sir Stanley George Savige, (26 June 1890 – 15 May 1954) was an Australian Army soldier and officer who served in the First World War and Second World War. In March 1915, after the outbreak of the First World War, Savi ...

(1890-1954), soldier, founder of

Legacy In law, a legacy is something held and transferred to someone as their inheritance, as by will and testament. Personal effects, family property, marriage property or collective property gained by will of real property. Legacy or legacies may refer ...

* John Springthorpe (1855-1933), physician *

Nellie Stewart Nellie Stewart, born Eleanor Stewart Towzey (20 November 1858 – 21 June 1931) was an Australian actress and singer, known as "Our Nell" and "Sweet Nell". Born into a theatrical family, Stewart began acting as a child. As a young woman, she ...

(1858-1931), actor and singer *

George Sutherland George Alexander Sutherland (March 25, 1862July 18, 1942) was an English-born American jurist and politician. He served as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court between 1922 and 1938. As a member of the Republican Party, he also repre ...

(1855-1905), author & journalist *

(1827-1908), newspaper proprietor *Camillo Triaca (1887-1902), sculptor & restaurateur *Elise Wiedermann (1851-1922), soprano * David Wang (1920-1978), retailer, councillor, Chinese community pioneer *

Basil Watson Basil Watson, CD (born 1958), is a Jamaican sculptor. He is the son of painter Barrington Watson,Housen, Claudine.'Balance' on the Beach", ''The Jamaica Gleaner'', 26 November 2006. and the brother of sculptor Raymond Watson.

(1894-1917), aviator * John Wisker (1846–1884), British chess champion *

John Wren John Wren (3 April 1871 – 26 October 1953) was an Australian bookmaker, boxing and wrestling promoter, Irish nationalist, land speculator, newspaper owner, racecourse and racehorse owner, soldier, pro-conscriptionist and theatre owner. He b ...

(1851-1953), bookmaker, businessman, political operator *

John Dickson Wyselaskie John Dickson Wyselaskie (25 June 1818 – 4 May 1883) was an Australian benefactor and grazier. Wyselaskie was born in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, Scotland and died in St Kilda, Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia) ...

(1818-1883), grazier, benefactor *

Alberto Zelman (Samuel Victor Albert) Alberto Zelman (15 November 18743 March 1927) was an Australian musician and conductor, and founder of one of the predecessors to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Life and career Alberto Zelman was born in Melbourne, Aus ...

(1874-1927), conductor, founder of

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is an Australian orchestra based in Melbourne. The MSO is resident at Hamer Hall. The MSO has its own choir, the MSO Chorus, following integration with the Melbourne Chorale in 2008. The MSO relies on f ...

War graves

The cemetery contains the war graves of 45 Commonwealth service personnel, 30 from

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

and 15 from

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

.BOROONDARA GENERAL CEMETERY
CWGC Cemetery Report. Breakdown obtained from casualty records.

Trees

The cemetery has a notable collection of mature trees including rows of Bhutan Cypress (''Cupressus torulosa'') and

Italian cypress ''Cupressus sempervirens'', the Mediterranean cypress (also known as Italian cypress, Tuscan cypress, Persian cypress, or pencil pine), is a species of cypress native to the eastern Mediterranean region, in northeast Libya, southern Albania, sou ...

(''Cupressus sempervirens'' 'Italica'), as well as specimens of Bunya Bunya (''Araucaria bidwillii''),

Canary Island Pine ''Pinus canariensis'', the Canary Island pine, is a species of gymnosperm in the conifer family Pinaceae. It is a large, evergreen tree, native and endemic to the outer Canary Islands of the Atlantic Ocean. Description ''Pinus canariensis'' is a ...

(''Pinus canariensis''), Weeping Elms (''Ulmus glabra'' 'Camperdownii'), Queensland Kauri (''Agathis robusta'') and Weeping Cypress (''Cupressus funebris'').

References

External links

Boroondara General Cemetery (official site)Boroondara General Cemetery
– Billion Graves
Victorian Heritage Register: Boroondara General CemeteryVictorian Heritage Register: Boroondara General Cemetery (rtf)Friends of Boroondara (Kew) General Cemetery Inc.
{{coord, -37.8034, 145.0440, type:landmark_region:AU, display=title Heritage sites in Melbourne Cemeteries in Melbourne Heritage-listed buildings in Melbourne 1859 establishments in Australia Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in Australia Buildings and structures in the City of Boroondara