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DRIK DRIK CEMETERY

Other Name Location WINNAP-NELSON ROAD, DRIK DRIK, GLENELG SHIRE Level Recommended for Heritage Overlay

[1/1] 52678 Gates Drik Drik Cemetery

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Drik Drik Cemetery, located about 5.0km south-south-west of the intersection of Winnup-Nelson Road and the Princes Highway and 32.5kms north-west of Heywood, is a reserve of five acres [2.0ha] on a moderately elevated site to the north of the township. It is the only cemetery associated with Drik Drik, and its earliest recorded burials date from the late 1870s. There are several important memorials within the cemetery, particularly those of early settlers surrounding the township such as the Clarke, Coulson, Emerson, Holmes, Johnson, Jones, Kerr, Kittson, Lightbody, Malseed, McLean, Mullen, and Spencer families. The graves mostly face east and are grouped in the conventional manner, according to denominations although they appear to fall into two groups, the smaller being to the north. There are distinctive memorial gates to both World Wars at the entrance. There are no significant plantings. The cemetery is in good condition, and retains a very high degree of integrity.

How is it significant?
The Drik Drik Cemetery is of historical, social and architectural significance to the district of Drik Drik and the Glenelg Shire.

Why is it significant?
The Drik Drik Cemetery is of historical significance as an enduring record of those who have lived and died in the community, as a reflection of passing phases, ways of life and death, particular events, and as documentary evidence.

The Cemetery is of social significance for reflecting the customs and tastes of the community, for reflecting different religious values, and for reflecting different economic and social status. It is also important as a place of passive recreation.

The Drik Drik Cemetery is of architectural significance for its range of tombstones, memorials and iconography reflecting the aesthetics of different periods and groups within the community. It is also of interest for its overall design and position within the broader landscape.