Springvale Botanical Cemetery

The Springvale Botanical Cemetery is the largest crematorium and memorial park in Victoria, Australia. It is located in Springvale, in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Springvale Botanical Cemetery
Springvale Botanical Cemetery's Princes Highway entrance.
Details
Established1901
Location
Springvale, Victoria
CountryAustralia
Coordinates37°56′33″S 145°10′32″E
WebsiteSpringvale Botanical Cemetery
Find a GraveSpringvale Botanical Cemetery

History

Originally known as The Necropolis Springvale, the cemetery commenced operations in 1901.[1] Between 1904 and 1952 it was served by its own railway branch line and station, by which coffins, passengers and staff were conveyed to the cemetery.[2][3] The first cremation took place at Springvale in April 1905.[4] According to the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, here have been approximately 473,000 cremations and 162,000 burials at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery.[5]

In 2006, the cemetery was renamed the Springvale Botanical Cemetery to reflect its increasing botanical significance, which includes original plantings of two bunya-bunya pines, palms and gums.[3] It is now administered by the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT), which manages nine cemeteries in all, including the Melbourne General Cemetery, St Kilda Cemetery and Dandenong Community Cemetery.[6]

Notable interments

War graves

The Botanical Cemetery contains the war graves of 146 Commonwealth service personnel, nearly 50 from World War I and nearly 100 from World War II.[7] In addition the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) also commemorates 67 Commonwealth service personnel cremated at Springvale Crematorium whose ashes remain here.[8]

Springvale War Cemetery

Within two acres of the Botanical Cemetery, beyond the crematorium, lies the CWGC's Springvale War Cemetery, created in World War II, where there are buried 607 Commonwealth service personnel and 4 Dutch personnel. It contains a Cross of Sacrifice unveiled in 1948.[9] In the form of bronze plaques, on the rear wall of the shelter behind the Cross, is the Victoria Cremation Memorial to 75 Commonwealth service personnel who were cremated within the State of Victoria but whose ashes were disposed of where a memorial could not be sited.[10]

See also

References
  1. "About our Cemetery". Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  2. Springvale Cemetery Railway, Mitchell, Frank, Green Over Red – Box Hill, Vic. March, 1968 pp. 5–6
  3. Gadd, Denise (15 February 2012). "New life for the city of the dead". The Age. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  4. "Cremation". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 14 April 1905. p. 5. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  5. "Springvale Botanical Cemetery History". Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  6. "Our Cemeteries". Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  7. Springvale Botanical Cemetery – CWGC Cemetery Report.
  8. cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2090472/springvale-crematorium-melbourne/
  9. cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2082901/springvale-war-cemetery/
  10. cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2082902/victoria-cremation-memorial

Further reading
  • Chambers, D (2001) City of the Dead: A History of The Necropolis, Springvale, Flemington Vic: Hyland House ISBN 1-86447-020-8
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