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120 AITKEN STREET BURIALS
120 AITKEN STREET GISBORNE, MACEDON RANGES SHIRE
120 AITKEN STREET BURIALS
120 AITKEN STREET GISBORNE, MACEDON RANGES SHIRE
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Victorian Heritage Inventory
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The site was purchased by John Thomas in 1880 and transferred to Anne Bensen in 1895. In 1909, the land was sold to John Bird in and following his death in 1927 the land was transferred to the Higher Elementary School for use as a pine planation. Historic aerials show the planation had been harvested at least twice between 1950 and 1968. Higher Elementary School was later absorbed by the Department of Education and is presently Gisborne Secondary College. The land is adjacent to Gisborne Cemetery and historical accounts note that internments occurred in the area prior to the official gazetting of Gisborne Cemetery in 1858. Further a historical newspaper mentions the exhumation of a burial with associated grave goods from the site, however no other reports have been found. Historical investigations undertaken by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council the site entailed extensive research as to the regions of the cemetery. It was suggested that due to inconsistencies relating to the allocation of burial sites in the past, there may be a risk of burials present outside the current gazetting of Gisborne Cemetery, extending south into 120 Aitken Street. Ground penetrating radar has been undertaken in the northern section of property, directly south of Gisborne Cemetery and these investigations identified changes in soil profiles in six areas, which may indicate the presence of human internments. Therefore, the site has moderate potential to contain significant archaeological deposits, features and/ artefacts associated with the neighbouring use of the site as a cemetery from the mid-nineteenth century.
The site is of local historical significance as a substantially intact example of mid-nineteenth century cemetery that is still in use. The cemetery has strong association with Gisborne from its early settlement and development during the gold rush (a stopping point enroute to Castlemaine) and timber industry in Gisborne and surrounding areas. The graves are important for the information they provide about burial customs and patterns of death in Victoria
The site is of local historical significance as a substantially intact example of mid-nineteenth century cemetery that is still in use. The cemetery has strong association with Gisborne from its early settlement and development during the gold rush (a stopping point enroute to Castlemaine) and timber industry in Gisborne and surrounding areas. The graves are important for the information they provide about burial customs and patterns of death in Victoria
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120 AITKEN STREET BURIALS - History
The land at 120 Aitken Street Gisborne was noted as ‘undulating land suitable only for building purposes’ in 1856. Records show the land was surveyed and gazette around 1858 with land marked out based on religious denominations.
Historical investigations undertaken by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council relating to the Gisborne Early Years Hub – Pine Planation site did extensive research relating to the cemetery. It was suggested that due to inconsistencies relating to the allocation of burials sites in the past, there may be a risk of burials present outside the current gazetted area of Gisborne Cemetery, extending south into 120 Aitken Street. Maps of the Gisborne Cemetery include 'old graves’ and very old trees were present without specific property lines.
The land now known as 120 Aitken Street was taken up to John Thomas in 1880, and transferred to Anne Bensen in 1895. The land was sold to John Bird in 1909, and following his death in 1927 the land was transferred to the Higher Elementary School for use as a pine planation. Historic aerials show the planation had been harvested at least twice between 1950 and 1968.
Higher Elementary School was later absorbed by the Department of Education and is presently known as Gisborne Secondary College.
In the Department of Educations initial investigation in selling the property, ground penetrating radar (GPR) was undertaken during the production of a Preliminary Investigation by ERM. The GPR was calibrated by moving over a known grave. ERM identified an area in the north-eastern corner of 120 Aitken (in the area previously market as ‘V & OG’ on the Gisborne Cemetery plan, and identified two areas of disturbance, a small square consistent with a burial map of Gisborne Cemetery, and another which may indicate a coffin burial.Heritage Inventory Description
120 AITKEN STREET BURIALS - Heritage Inventory Description
The land is adjacent to the Gisborne Cemetery. Historical accounts note that internments occurred in the area prior to the official gazetting of Gisborne Cemetery in 1858. Research conducted by the Gisborne Cemetery’s Trust notes that there are approximately 600 unmarked graves in the area of the Gisborne Cemetery, out of which 200 of have been identified. 120 Aitken Street has been utilised as a pine planation for Gisborne Secondary College since it was gifted to the High School in 1927. Aerial photos show the planation was harvested at least once in 1950. It has not been harvested since and the present pines are mature. Modern uses for the planation include a rudimentary BMX tracks built by the local youths and a walking track frequented by students and locals alike.
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