Notable graves self-guided tour launched at the Bendigo Remembrance Park

VISITORS to the Bendigo cemetery are being encouraged to view the site in a new light, with the launch of a self-guided tour.

With the aid of a simple brochure, people can learn about the stories of 26 personalities who helped shape the city.

From architects like William Charles Vahland, whose style is evident in some of Bendigo’s most impressive landmarks, to Bendigo Pottery founder George Duncan Guthrie, the graves were chosen for their historical significance. 

Gender, ethnicity, cultures and grave locations were also taken into consideration, to ensure the list of notable graves was varied but logically laid out. 

With 55,000 interments to choose from, Remembrance Parks Central Victoria chief executive officer Graham Fountain said compiling the list was not easy.

The Bendigo Remembrance Park Notable Graves initiative was more than two years in the making.

“Every one of the 55,000 interments is important in their own right,” Mr Fountain said.

The input of family members and experts was sought, wherever possible.

Bishop Ron Stone became aware of the initiative through his efforts to honour the legacy of The Right Reverend Henry Archdall Langley, the first Bishop of the Church of England in Bendigo.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” he said.

“This is a marvelous way of remembering people.”

Bishop Langley’s grave is one of the 26 stops on the self-guided tour.

Also among the notable graves is that of Ellen Mowbray Murphy, who was just three-and-a-half years old when she died in 1858.

Hers was the first recorded burial at the cemetery.

Attending the Bendigo Remembrance Park Notable Graves launch on Monday was Pat Purtill, Ellen’s great, great niece.

Ms Purtill said Ellen was one of 13 children.

The family lived in Forest Street, Bendigo.

Markers point to sources of further information about each of the notable graves, including a QR code for technologically savvy visitors.

Brochures are available from information points within the cemetery. 

The project was supported by the Public Record Office of Victoria.

“The cemetery is an open museum,” Joanne Trickey, of RPCV, said. 

She was hopeful the project would encourage people to learn more about the region’s history.