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NEW CEMETERY

Other Name CASTERTON 'NEW' CEMETERY Location RACECOURSE ROAD, CASTERTON, GLENELG SHIRE Level Recommended for Heritage Overlay

[1/1] 52873 New Cemetery Casterton

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Casterton 'New' Cemetery is located in a ten acre reserve five kilometres south of the centre of the township of Casterton, in Racecourse Road. It is Casterton's second Cemetery, the first cemetery being located to the south west of the township, off the Mount Gambier Road. The 'New' Cemetery was actually gazetted prior to the gazettal date of the 'Old' Cemetery. The burials date from the (but the earliest gravestone is dated ) and burials continue today. The layout is typical of a simple nineteenth century cemetery, set on a hillside overlooking the town. The graves are laid out in typical denominational fashion. A timber oxagonal sexton's office and shelter is located in the centre of the Cemetery. This has an octagonal corrugated iron roof with exaggerated eaveline. Overall, the cemetery is in excellent condition, and retains a high degree of integrity.

How is it significant?
The Casterton New Cemetery is of historical, architectural and social significance to Glenelg Shire.

What is significant?
The Casterton New 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 a source of documentary evidence. The cemetery has further historical significance for the burials of individuals and families who made important contributions to their community. 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 homage and of passive recreation. The Casterton New Cemetery is of architectural significance for its range of tombstones, memorials and iconography reflecting the aesthetics of different periods and groups within the community. Of particular interest is the octagonal timber sexton's office/shelter in the centre of the reserve. Not only is the structure unusual in its form, scale and design, but it is rare to find such a structure in a small country cemetery. The cemetery is also of interest for its overall design and position within the broader landscape.