ITALIAN OSSARIO

 

 

The Italian Ossario (including the exteriors and interiors), two memorials, entry gates with bronze bas-relief plaques, gravel path and forecourt, and Italian Cypress avenue and sign. 

The Italian Ossario is of historic and social significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register: 

Criterion A 

Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. 

Criterion B 

Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history. 

Criterion G 

Strong or special association with a particular present-day community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. 

The Italian Ossario is significant at the State level for the following reasons: 

 

The Italian Ossario is historically significant as one of two foreign war cemeteries established in Victoria after the end of World War II. Developed in stages from 1958 to 1974, it remains highly intact and demonstrates the relationship that developed between former enemy nations soon after the end of World War II. The choice of a building in a traditional Italian architectural style to house the remains, and the associated formal Italian Cypress avenue clearly demonstrates the historic association with Italy.

 

The Italian Ossario is the only war cemetery in Australia dedicated to Italian civilian internees and Prisoners of War. It is one of only four foreign war cemeteries in Australia and the only one that was not established by the Office of Australian War Graves. The POW memorial is one of the few remaining structures associated with the nearby prisoner of war camps.

 

The Italian Ossario is socially significant for its longstanding relationship with the Italian community in Victoria. Since 1961 it has provided this community with a place for remembrance with official commemoration services held annually in November, continuing a tradition first established at Murchison Cemetery in 1956.