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Melbourne General Cemetery

Location Area bounded by College Crescent, Cemetery Road East, Lygon Street, McPherson Street and Princes Park Drive., CARLTON NORTH VIC 3054 - Property No G13005 File Number G13005 Level National

[1/3] G13005 General view cemetery [2/3] G13005 Seating [3/3] G13005 Gillies Headstone

Statement of Significance

Melbourne General Cemetery, developed from the early 1850s according to a design by Albert Purchas and extended in a similar style after 1859 is of National significance:

- for its layout, the central portion of which concurs with the 1854 Purchas plan; this is a seminal example of picturesque cemetery planning in Victoria and probably Australia and represents an early transference of garden cemetery ideals from Britain and North America;

- for its collection of trees and shrubs; these assist in defining the various eras of development, are emblematic of themes commonly associated with cemeteries, provide considerable aesthetic qualities, and includes one important specimen which has been listed on the Register of Significant Trees;

- in its retention of many cast iron shelters; these are of two types and both make distinctive use of cast iron and metal components, they also contribute to the picturesque qualities of the cemetery landscape;

- for its collection of buildings and structures, including the Wardell-designed Roman Catholic chapel, rockwork grottos, gate lodge, office and residence, waiting shelter (at main entrance) and iron fencing;

- for its huge collection of tombstones and other examples of funerary art; collectively these form a major visual element in the cemetery and individually each is a unique statement representing a single human life; many monuments are of considerable architectural, social or historical significance and several of the better known examples have been individually classified;

- for its considerable aesthetic significance, deriving from the unified landscaping (especially mature trees), distant vistas from the elevated site, views into and within the cemetery and picturesque layout;

- for its contribution to an institutional precinct of outstanding importance; sites in close proximity include the University of Melbourne and associated colleges, Prince's Park and the former Female Refuge (Keppel Street). The cemetery also abuts and contributes to a large precinct of nineteenth and early twentieth century housing which retains a high level of intactness and is individually recognised as an area of special cultural significance.