Brighton Cemetorians

The Brighton Cemetorians are a not-for-profit community group working actively with
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, the administrators of Brighton General Cemetery.
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  • Funeral Procession to mark the 100th Anniversary of the death of Sir Thomas Bent - 17th September 2009
  • Funeral Procession to mark the 100th Anniversary of the death of Sir Thomas Bent - 17th September 2009
  • Firing Party - Joe Dianico, James Battern, Neville Scuttlebury & John Underwood of the Historical Re-enactment Society of Australia at the William Robertson plaque unveiling - 1st April 2007

WALKS FOR 2023

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Diary Dates for 2023  – all walks begin at 2pm – some near the office others from the front gate  – where walks will begin will be advised at a later date

Cost: $15 per person [cash as we do not have credit card facilities] Booking is essential – Lois on 9558 4248

March 26th at 2pm – Artists of the Brighton Cemetery – Meet near the front gate on  North Road 

Many artists who played significant roles in the history of Australian art are buried in the Brighton Cemetery. Because the art world was a comparatively small one it is not surprising that many of their lives were linked – some of the ones that we will be visiting on this walk include a few of the Boyds’, Frederick McCubbin, Evelyn Syme, May Butler-George etc.

30th April 2023 at 2pm ANZAC WALK – Walk begins from near the office

As part of the FLAG Commemoration where we will have 50 Australian Flags attached to a pole at the side of Veterans graves to publicly commemorate the role of our Men and Women during the Boer War, WW1 & WW2 – the flags will be ‘flying’  from 21st April to the 1st May.

On this walk we will visit 8 service persons who have been honoured with a flag.  Samuel Ettingove who pleaded with Authorities saying that it was his earnest desire to enlist as a British Australian soldier and not as a Russian. Nevertheless, his obvious sincerity convinced the authorities, an exception was made and his naturalisation was expedited but never ended up fighting for his new found land as he was killed riding his Motor Bike which collided with a Tram. Also on the walk are  Gershon Bennett, Richard Ernest Lowday and others. Come and hear the stories of these brave and courageous people.

May 18th [Thursday]  Who’s Who at the Brighton Cemetery [General Interest Walk]

Walk begins at 10am from near the office

On this walk we talk about men from all walks of life, James Joseph Casey who was a lawyer and a judge known as King Casey, Sidney Patterson, The ‘Mighty Patto’ who dominated Australian sport in a cycling career, Godfrey Cohen of ‘Godfrey’s’ the vacuum cleaner business are just a few of those that we will e visiting.

This walk is part of the National Trust Heritage Festival

May 21 2023- In tragic Circumstances Walk – at 2pm- Walk begins near the office

 Established in 1854 Brighton General Cemetery is the resting place of some of Melbourne’s most significant pioneers.  This walk will take people to visit the graves to hear of the double tragedy of the Botanic Gardens Massacre, the airman who was part of the RAAF escort for the visit of The Duke and Duchess of York killed when the two escort planes collided killing all crewmen and of stories other events

July 29th Open House Melbourne There will be two walks – 11am & 2pm

AGM 6th August 2023

Title: The Forgotten Chinese of Melbourne.

Many Melburnians are unaware the Chinese have lived in Australia for over 150 years.

The tracks of those original migrants are invisible or lost in time. This presentation will discuss three different projects that bring these people back into the limelight:

  • Chinese Market gardens of Melbourne
  • The Victorian Certificates Exempting from Dictation Test (CEDT) Index Project
  • Chinese graves in the Melbourne General Cemetery.

Terry Young is a first generation Chinese Australian whose father and grandfather were Chinese market gardeners in Victoria. He is currently Vice President of the Chinese Australian family Historians of Victoria.


Sister Leah Rosenthal QAIMNSR, MM, ARRC

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A plaque unveiling was held for Sister Leah Rosenthal QAIMNSR, MM, ARRC was held on Sunday 16th May 2021, everyone enjoyed a cuppa before we walked to where Leah lies resting.

Our President, Malcolm Gray welcomed everyone. Jane Annois spoke about her Great Great Aunt where we reflected on her bravery and extraordinary work that she did in the first World War and at Vimy House.

Jane together with her sister Kathy and brother Richard unveiled Leah’s plaque.

Leah was born in 1879 to Joseph Rosenthal and his wife Martha née Avinski. She graduated as a nurse at the Alfred Hospital in 1904 and continued  her nursing  career there until 1910 when she & Belle Jobson took over the running of Windarra Private Hospital in Toorak. Leah in her fourth year of active service with the Army at Flanders was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal. On more than  one occasion she had been recommended for honours by her commanding Officer and matron for heroic conduct at casualty stations under shell fire. Leah was attached to the first casualty station and travelled around France where she saw many atrocities. When Leah returned to Australia she and her friend Belle bought an existing Private Hospital in Queens Road, overlooking Albert Park Lake, which they named Vimy House. And ran for 10 years until her death on 4 October 1930 and was buried with her sister Fanny – Jewish H Graves 86 & 87

Wiliam BRAHE plaque unveiling – 8th May 2021

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Born – 16 January 1835 – Paderborn, Germany
Died – 16 September 1912 – Elwood

Gold prospector, drover, farmer and one of the last surviving members of the Burke and Wills Expedition to die.

When Burke set out from Cooper’s Creek with a bare 3 months supplies on his ‘dash’ to the Gulf of Carpentaria, he left William in charge of the camp.

After waiting more than four months, and with his own supplies running low, he finally decided to abandon the camp on 21 April 1861, leaving the “DIG” tree on Cooper’s Creek

Our Guest Speaker – Dr Douglas McCann gave a very informative talk which was enjoyed by all.

The plaque was unveiled by David Brahe, the great grandson of William

Refreshments were served on and around the verandah of the Lodge.

31stJuly 1863

Secretary reported cattle had accident with headstone and were removed from the Cemetery.

11thJuly 1884

Secretary authorised to construct water closet on premises to be opened only during funerals.

11thNovember 1913

Recommendation by surveyor that iron gates, similar to those at North Road, be installed at Hawthorn Road.

Location

  • Brighton General Cemetery
    Cnr. North and Hawthorn Roads

Contact

Opening Hours

Grounds 8am-6pm

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