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Western Cemetery

Location

93 Minerva Road, HAMLYN HEIGHTS VIC 3215 - Property No 300974

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

C Listed - Local Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE - GRC - HISTORIC PLACES DOCUMENTATION SHEET NO. 286

The Western Cemetery is of local historical significance for the associations with past residents and settlers of the district, the genealogical and other biographical data contained on the surviving headstones and tombs structures, and or architectural interest for the items of monumental masonry which mark the burial place of prominent local residents.

Many of the gravestones are by local monumental sculptors, including the work of clement Nash, Nataniel Brown, and Samuel Brain, and are of aesthetic interest.

The Western Cemetery is a local landmark.

RECOMMENDATIONS: PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Geelong Regional Commission Register,

REFERENCES

Details of the Western Cemetery are recoded in the files of the Lands and Survey Department held at the Public Records Office at Laverton, the relevant issued of the Victorian Government Gazette which record details of proclamations of cemetery reserves, trusteeships, etc., and in the records of the individual cemetery trustees minute books and registers.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE - City of Geelong West - Urban Conservation Study - Building Identification Form

The Western Cemetery is significant for its early date of formation (1855-1858), its original layout by Christopher Porter and its original plantings supplied by Baron Van Mullet . The cemetery has important historical associations with many Geelong families and with the now extinct aborigines of the district. In historical and environmental terms it is considered one of Victoria's most significant cemeteries. It is of State Significance.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

National Estate Register

Government Buildings Register

A detailed policy should be compiled in conjunction with a landscape architect.

REFERENCES

J Thomas - "History of Geelong Western Public Cemetery (formerly New General Cemetery) 95 Minerva Road, Geelong West, manuscript by Mr J Thomas former Secretary of the Cemeteries Trust. (n.d.)

L - P Planning - Cemeteries of Victoria - A National Estate Study, 1980.

L Huddle - "Architects in Geelong in the 1840's and 1850's, Humanities Research Report, Department of Architecture, University of Melbourne, 1979. Vol. 1, PP 86,89; Vol 2. pp 12, 66; Vol 3. pp 146-7.

Group

Cemeteries and Burial Sites

Category

Cemetery/Graveyard/Burial Ground