Dandenong Community Cemetery
An Historical Cemetery With Towering Gums
Dandenong Community Cemetery is an historic cemetery, distinguished by its well-established gums as well as its proximity to the community. The peaceful lawn and garden offer a serene setting for families to contemplate the lives of loved relatives. The grounds are adorned with many monuments celebrate the cemetery’s history.
In order to honor the promise and the memory of several generations Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) manages the day-to-day operations at Dandenong Community Cemetery, reporting directly to the Victorian Minister for Health. SMCT is dedicated to assisting the community in honoring and celebrating the life of their loved ones in the manner they wish to.
Our Services
We recognize that every person has the right to honor life in the way they want to. We provide a diverse selection of cremation and burial memorial options to allow families to respect the traditions and rituals that are that are important to them.
We recognize that memories are eternal as well. Dandenong Community Cemetery is a peaceful setting that offers the security for generations to cherish those who are significant to them.
We also can assist with the search for recordsto assist in finding and connect families who have memorials. For your convenience there is there is an online record service is offered for certain places. We invite you to contact us should you need assistance.
Dandenong Community Cemetery History
The trust that was established at the beginning from Dandenong Community Cemetery comprised five notable citizens: Robert Caldecott Walker, James Smith Lavender (both Church of England), Alexander Watt Bowman (Presbyterian), George Keys (Wesleyan) and Thomas Herbert Power (Roman Catholic). The area at the period was heavily timbered, with enormous red gums and some areas were swampy. Later sections were Russian Orthodox, Druze, Church of Christ and Non-Sectarian.
The first burial in Dandenong Community Cemetery is believed to have been the work of an Indigenous Australian who worked part-time for Edward Kirkham. However, records from the first years aren’t available and the exact location of the initial graves is unclear. One of the first headstones commemorates the grave of Benjamin Rossiter who passed on 28 January 1858 aged 73, and another headstone dating from earlier times is the grave for Denis Neville who passed on 17 November 1858.
In 1871 a suspicious event occurred. John Orhtgies successfully applied to the Land Board for 10 acres (4 hectares) of the cemetery land. The land sale didn’t appear to have been advertised in newspapers like it was usual. In July 1875, the owner of the property built a brick home and had fenced the property without opposition from neighbouring property owners.
The trustees changed in 1875, Michael Reedy and John Dobson joined Alex W Bowman and George Keys. All were participants in the Dandenong Improvement Society, formed in 1863. They were responsible for the development of the cemetery. In the 1880s, the cemetery was split into denominational segments and then more precise records were maintained.
The cemetery also has the brick building of 1929 as a office along with a few notable trees, including two Monterey pines as well as three oaks, thirteen mature gum specimens as well as 4 flowering gums.
Dandenong Shire Council took control of the site in 1945. Dandenong Shire Council took control in 1945 due to financial issues. In 2003, the Dandenong Public Cemetery Trust (DPCT) was disbanded, and the Necropolis Springvale assumed management of the cemetery under agreement. In December 2007, the cemetery was handed over into the hands of Necropolis Springvale.
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ABC Car Collection
6/18-20 Webster St
Dandenong VIC 3175
0423 353 333