DUNKELD CEMETERY (OLD)
Old Cemetery Lane DUNKELD, Southern Grampians Shire
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Statement of Significance
The Dunkeld Old Cemetery is a ten acre allotment set on an elevated granite outcrop, some six kilometers south east of the township of Dunkeld. The cemetery looks towards the Grampians, and was used from 1854 to 1904, until condemned by the Public Health Board as it was almost impossible to dig graves deeper than four feet. The cemetery has a range of burials, both large and small memorials, with very limited plantings on a few graves. The cemetery was replaced by the Dunkeld New Cemetery, located north of the township of Dunkeld in 1905. The first burial was in 1854, although the cemetery gazette date was not until 1866. The Cemetery is overgrown, although some mowing is carried out on a regular basis, and many of the tombstones are unstable. The cemetery retains a high degree of integrity.
How is it significant?
The Dunkeld Old Cemetery is of historical, social and architectural significance to the district of Dunkeld and the Southern Grampians Shire.
What is significant?
The Dunkeld Old Cemetery is of historical significance as an enduring record of those who have lived and died in the community, as a reflection of passing phases, ways of life and death, particular events, and as documentary evidence. It is of social significance for reflecting the customs and tastes of the community, for reflecting different religious values, and for reflecting different economic and social status. It is also important as a place of passive recreation. The cemetery is of further historical significance as the first cemetery which served the community, replaced in 1905 due to the unsuitability of the site. The Dunkeld Old Cemetery is of architectural significance for its range of tombstones, memorials and iconography reflecting the aesthetics of different periods and groups within the community. It is also of interest for its overall design and position within the broader landscape.
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DUNKELD CEMETERY (OLD) - Physical Conditions
The cemetery is in fair condition. Many of the tombstones are in poor condition, and many are in danger of falling over.
DUNKELD CEMETERY (OLD) - Physical Description 1
The Dunkeld Cemetery is located on a stony rise (granite) located about six kilometers south east of the township of Dunkeld, on the South Side of Old Cemetery Lane. The site gradually slopes from its summit to the North, South and West to land around it. The whole of the site is overgrown with long grass and thistles, although paths are regularly slashed through for access.
A description from 1900 states that roads dividing denominations were carved out of soil and rock, and culverts were in place where they intersected. There is little evidence of these, and there have never been any paths located between the graves, due to the nature of the site. The graves are arranged in a typically denominational fashion, although they area clustered together in groups, or unevenly spaced out. This arrangement is a result of the difficulty in sinking graves on the site in the ninetieth century, resulting in the 'easiest' places having as many graves as possible dug in a limited area where digging was possible.
There are no structures on the site, although a number of graves have small memorial plantings on them. Many of the graves have large obelisks and cast iron fences surrounding them.
A post and rail fence once formed a boundary fence on the east, west and southern sides of the cemetery, and the north boundary was a wooden picket fence. Little evidence of the original fencing survives.DUNKELD CEMETERY (OLD) - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 9: Marking the phases of life
9.7 Dying
9.7.1 Dealing with human remains
9.7.3 Remembering the deadDUNKELD CEMETERY (OLD) - Usage/Former Usage
closed
DUNKELD CEMETERY (OLD) - Integrity
Good degree of integrity
DUNKELD CEMETERY (OLD) - Physical Description 3
Cemetery Reserve
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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DUNKELD CEMETERY (OLD)Southern Grampians Shire
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