STRATHDOWNIE EAST CEMETERY
OFF CASTERTON-MOUNT GAMBIER ROAD STRATHDOWNIE, GLENELG SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
Strathdownie East Cemetery is a small cemetery set on the hill looking east over Eel Creek. The cemetery has large iron gateposts on the west entrance and a central path bordered by rows of burials facing east. The cemetery has around 150 known burials with approximately 140 headstones or memorials. The cemetery is sparingly planted with natives such as Banksias with some exotics with native grasses and wildflowers. Notably, two early cypress trees survive at the centre of the cemetery. Memorials range from a large cruciform memorial to small headstones and plots of children. The graves of many generations of local settlers and selectors are present in the cemetery.
How is it Significant?
Strathdownie East Cemetery is of historical, social and architectural significance to the Glenelg Shire.
Why is it Significant?
Strathdownie East Cemetery is of historical significance as an enduring record of those who have lived and died in the community, as a reflection of passing events of the region. The Cemetery 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. The Strathdownie Cemetery is of architectural significance for its range of tombstones, memorials and iconography reflecting the aesthetics of different periods and groups within the community.
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STRATHDOWNIE EAST CEMETERY - Usage/Former Usage
Continues as a cemetery
STRATHDOWNIE EAST CEMETERY - Physical Description 1
Strathdownie Cemetery is sited at the rise of a hill sloping away to the east toward Eel Creek. The cemetery is diagonally bordered by the Glenelg Highway on the north and by a small road (north-south) on the west. On the south boundary, there is native vegetation on the adjoining allotment. On the east the cemetery overlooks farmland and local pine plantations. The main entrance of the cemetery is on the west boundary. There is a central unmarked path which runs directly from the main gate down the hill and aligned east-west. The cemetery is surrounded by a modern timber post and wire fence on some boundaries and by native plantings on road reserves on one boundary. There are large wrought iron gateposts on either side of the main entrance gate.
Burials are arranged out from the central path in rows, however some early burial sites are unmarked. The majority of burials are near the main gate however some pockets of burials are located away from the central path. The graves face east, away from the rise of the hill and the main gate. Many burials are surmounted by headstones, some with a small cast iron fence surrounding the plot. Many burials have a horizontal slab marking the plot, some with decorative features of the era, i.e. Art Deco 'stepped' headstones. Memorials range from small (infant) headstones to a large cruciform memorial. Materials of the headstones and memorials include marble, polished stone, granite and concrete. One interesting headstone is in the shape of a leaf.
There are individual native trees, such as banksias, scattered around the cemetery, including many young trees and a variety of native grasses and bulbs. At the centre of the cemetery there are two surviving plantings of Cypress.STRATHDOWNIE EAST CEMETERY - Physical Conditions
Excellent
STRATHDOWNIE EAST CEMETERY - 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 deadHeritage Study and Grading
Glenelg - Glenelg Shire Heritage Study Part One
Author: Carlotta Kellaway, David Rhodes Mandy Jean
Year: 2002
Grading:Glenelg - Glenelg Heritage Study Stage Two (a)
Author: Heritage Matters
Year: 2006
Grading:
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STRATHDOWNIE EAST CEMETERYGlenelg Shire
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Strathdownie Memorial HallVic. War Heritage Inventory
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Strathdownie Honour RollVic. War Heritage Inventory
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'CARINYA' LADSONS STOREVictorian Heritage Register H0568
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1 Alexander StreetYarra City
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1 Botherambo StreetYarra City
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