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CUSSEN MEMORIAL, BOROONDARA GENERAL CEMETERY

Other Names

LEO CUSSEN MEMORIAL , BOROONDARA CEMETERY

Location

430-440 HIGH STREET KEW, BOROONDARA CITY

File Number

HER/2002/000203

Level

Registered

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Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Cussen Memorial is a mausoleum located within the Roman Catholic section of the Boroondara General Cemetery, Kew (VHR0049). The sandstone memorial is built in the Gothic Revival style in the form of a small chapel with carvings, diamond shaped roof tiles and decorated ridge capping embellishing the exterior. The memorial occupies a landmark position within the Cemetery. The Cussen Memorial was constructed in 1912-13 by Leo Cussen in memory of his son Hubert. Leo Cussen (later Sir Leo) was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1906, where he displayed the qualities which were to mark him, in the words of Sir Owen Dixon, as the 'greatest of all judges', combining legal expertise with great humanity and practicality. Sir Leo was considered by Sir Robert Menzies as 'one of the great judges of the English speaking world'. In addition to his duties as a judge, Leo Cussen accepted responsibility for the consolidations of the Victorian Acts of Parliament, which took place in 1915, and again in 1929. In 1922, after four years of labour over centuries of English legislation, he presented to the Victorian Parliament the Bill for the Imperial Acts Application Act, which was passed without amendment.

The architect for the Memorial was WP Conolly of the firm Kempson and Conolly. Conolly was one of the most prominent architects designing Catholic churches in Melbourne in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Cussen's choice of architect for the memorial reflects his Catholic connections in Melbourne. In 1930, Conolly was asked by Lady Cussen to make alterations to the Cussen Memorial to allow for additional tombs. In spite of being built initially for Hubert Cussen, the Memorial has been strongly associated with Sir Leo Cussen since his burial there in 1933 and is often referred to as the Leo Cussen Memorial.

How is it significant?
The Cussen Memorial is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria

Why is it significant?
The Cussen Memorial is of architectural significance as a fine example of an early twentieth century mausoleum in the Gothic style, designed by WP Conolly, one of the most prominent architects designing Catholic churches in Melbourne in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The Cussen Memorial is of historical significance for its association with Sir Leo Cussen, justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria from 1906 to 1933, a highly popular and respected judge, legal educator and scholar, who was responsible for the consolidation of Victoria's statutes in 1915 and 1929 and the consolidation of over 7000 English Acts applicable in Victoria in the Imperial Acts Application Act of 1922.

Group

Cemeteries and Burial Sites