South Head General Cemetery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids South Head General Cemetery
Celtic cross on the grave of Sir Walter Edward Davidson, pictured in 2008
Location	793 Old South Head Road, Vaucluse, Waverley Municipality, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1868–1950
Owner	Waverley Municipal Council
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: South Head General Cemetery; Old South Head Cemetery
Type	State heritage (landscape)
Designated	25 August 2017
Reference no.	1991
Type	Cemetery/Graveyard/Burial Ground
Category	Cemeteries and Burial Sites
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The South Head General Cemetery is a special, heritage-listed cemetery in Vaucluse, Sydney, Australia. It was built between 1868 and 1950. People also call it the Old South Head Cemetery or the South Head Cemetery. The local council, Waverley Municipal Council, owns and manages it. This historic site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2017.

History of South Head Cemetery

Early Indigenous History

The South Head General Cemetery is on land that once belonged to the Birrabirragal clan. These people were part of the wider Dharug nation. Like many Aboriginal groups, they lived by hunting and gathering food. They used the natural resources of their environment for their daily needs. You can still find signs of their presence in nearby places. These include Nielsen Park, Cooper Park, and Bondi.

European Settlement and Cemetery Beginnings

Europeans first explored this coastal area of eastern Sydney in 1790. They set up a signal station at South Head. A road from Sydney to South Head was built in 1811. In 1816, a lighthouse was added at the signal station. This road became known as Old South Head Road. This happened after New South Head Road was built in the 1830s. Old South Head Road runs along one side of the cemetery.

In 1841, a minister named Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld asked the Governor for land. He wanted to create a cemetery for the local fishing village of Watsons Bay. Governor Gipps reportedly granted one acre of land in 1845. A newspaper article from that time said the land was for a "general cemetery." This meant people of any religion could be buried there.

However, there are no records of burials before 1868. The first recorded burial was Major Lee in February 1868. Some older deaths are remembered on newer gravestones. For example, James Green, a ship captain, died in 1857. His name is on his brother's gravestone from 1904. Also, a few graves were moved here in 1901. They came from the Devonshire Street Cemetery when Central railway station was being built.

The first people chosen to manage the cemetery were called trustees. They were appointed in 1870. Over the years, more land was added to the cemetery. The original one-acre grant was made official in 1872. More land was added in 1890 and again in 1902. This brought the cemetery to its current size.

In 1889, Margaret, the wife of Sir John Robertson, was buried here. Sir John was a very important politician. He served as the Premier of New South Wales multiple times. He was buried with his wife in 1891. His Maori servant, John Blanket, was also buried in the family vault.

By 1895, a secretary was appointed for the cemetery. A small house for the sexton (the person who looks after the cemetery) was also built.

Cemetery in the 20th Century

In 1909, a tram line was extended to Watsons Bay. This made it much easier for people to visit the cemetery. They could travel from Sydney to attend funerals or visit graves.

After the death of New South Wales Governor Sir Walter Davidson in 1923, he was buried here. Two years later, his remains were moved to the main path. A large Celtic cross monument was built for him. This event encouraged the trustees to make improvements. They built the perimeter wall and impressive gates. The main gates were installed in 1924.

In 1926, the trustees wanted to make the cemetery much bigger. They planned to expand it towards the coast. However, the local council and a town planning expert disagreed. They argued that the expansion would block a planned cliff walk. They also thought cemeteries should not be in the middle of residential areas. The plan was stopped.

The cemetery saw many funerals in 1927 after a tragic event. The ferry Greycliffe sank in Sydney Harbour, and 40 people died. Twenty-two of the victims were buried in individual graves at South Head Cemetery.

In 1937, the long-serving secretary of the Trust, Edwin Sautelle, left his position. After this, problems were found with the cemetery's money. In 1939, the New South Wales parliament passed a law. This law removed the original trustees. The Waverley Municipal Council was appointed as the sole trustee in 1941. They have managed the cemetery ever since.

Waverley Council's Management

Since 1941, Waverley Council has continued to operate South Head Cemetery. The old sexton's cottage was removed to make more space for burials. A smaller building was put in its place in the 1950s. In the late 1960s, new "lawn graves" were added. These use the central paths to create more burial space. In 2011, residents were concerned about trees damaging the cemetery wall. The council agreed to replace them.

Notable Graves

South Head General Cemetery is the final resting place for many important people. These include:

• Edmund Barton (died 1920), Australia's first Prime Minister.
• Sir Joseph Carruthers (died 1932), a Premier of New South Wales.
• Frank Clune (died 1971), a well-known writer.
• Sir Roden Cutler (died 2002), a Governor of New South Wales.
• Sir Walter Davidson (died 1923), also a Governor of New South Wales.
• George Washington Lambert (died 1930), a famous artist.
• Sir William Lyne (died 1913), another Premier of New South Wales.
• Gladys Moncrieff (died 1976), a popular entertainer.
• Sir John Robertson (died 1891), a former Premier of New South Wales.
• "Red Ted" Theodore (died 1950), a Queensland Premier and Federal Treasurer.
• Sir Charles Wade (died 1922), a Premier of New South Wales.
• John Charles Wright (died 1933), an Anglican Archbishop of Sydney.
• Members of the important Fairfax, Norton, and Packer families.
• Members of the Foy family, including a monument to Juanita Nielsen, who disappeared in 1975.
• Members of the Street family, including two Chief Justices of New South Wales.

The cemetery also has war graves for 18 Australian service members. Five are from World War I and 13 from World War II. Other memorials remember war veterans not buried here. Many early French families from Sydney are also buried here.

Description of the Cemetery

The cemetery was established in 1868. It is located above Diamond Bay, with views of the Tasman Sea. It covers about 4 acres (1.6 hectares) and has around 6,000 burials. A low stone fence surrounds it. The main entrance has impressive bronze and cast-iron gates. These gates are between large sandstone pillars.

Inside, you'll find many grand monuments and family vaults. The ground between the plots is covered in grass. There are also "lawn graves" in what used to be paths. Not many shrubs or trees grow inside the walls. However, groups of Canary Island palms, Norfolk Island pines, and New Zealand pohutukawa trees grow around the edges. A small amenities building was built around 1950. South Head Cemetery has always been a general cemetery. This means it does not have separate sections for different religions.

From the main gates, a wide path leads to a beautiful Celtic cross. This cross was built by the people of Sydney. It marks the grave of Sir Walter Edward Davidson, a former Governor of NSW. Large and expensive family monuments line this path. This area was considered one of the best places to be buried.

The cemetery is known for its beautiful Art Deco memorials from the 1920s and 1930s. Many large granite memorials mark family plots. One famous monument is a marble bust of motor car racer Phil Garlick. It shows him with a steering wheel and racing cap. In the southern part of the cemetery, you can see some older sandstone tombs. These were moved here from the Devonshire Street Cemeteries.

South Head Cemetery also has many naval burials. These graves often have anchors carved on them. They belong to commanders and captains who now have ocean views. A marble cross and anchor mark the grave of sea captain Malcolm Green. A few mausoleums (small buildings for burials) and family vaults are also found here. Two impressive mausoleums belong to the Foy and Smith families. The Foy family plot includes a simple Celtic cross for Juanita Nielsen, who disappeared in 1975. The cemetery is also home to local wildlife, like kestrels, which sometimes perch on the headstones.

Condition of the Cemetery

As of 2016, the cemetery is very well-preserved. It is one of the most complete old cemeteries in Sydney. The headstones are in good condition. The monuments are generally in very good shape. South Head Cemetery is still in use today. Waverley Council manages it. Because it is still active, some of the original layout has changed. Lawn burials now fill many of the old paths and open spaces.

Changes Over Time

• 1924: A new wall and gates were built.
• 1950s: A new amenities block was constructed.

More Information

The cemetery is surrounded by one or two-story houses. On the west side, a retirement complex was built. This complex stands where Vaucluse High School used to be.

Why South Head Cemetery is Special

South Head General Cemetery is very important to the history of New South Wales. It is listed on the State Heritage Register for several reasons:

• Historical Importance: It was the first public cemetery in Sydney's eastern suburbs. It opened in 1868 to help with the need for new burial grounds. This happened after the Devonshire Street Cemetery in Surry Hills closed. Unlike most other cemeteries of its time, it did not have separate religious sections. This was quite rare. The cemetery's growth also shows how the eastern suburbs became a popular and wealthy area. Many important people chose to live and be buried here. It also shows how funeral practices have changed over nearly 150 years.

• Connection to Important People: The cemetery is linked to many famous and notable people from New South Wales and Australia. Over 6,000 people are buried here. This includes Australia's first Prime Minister, Edmund Barton. Several NSW Governors and Premiers are also buried here. You can find the graves of important architects, artists, writers, and business leaders. It is also the burial site for 22 victims of the 1927 Greycliffe ferry disaster. The burial of John Blanket, a Maori man who served Sir John Robertson, is also very unique.

• Beautiful Design and Appearance: The cemetery has strong aesthetic (beauty) values. It sits on a hill overlooking Diamond Bay and the Tasman Sea. The stone wall and impressive bronze gates add to its beauty. The cemetery has many well-preserved monuments from different eras. These include large granite memorials and beautiful Art Deco designs. Notable monuments include the Celtic cross for Governor Walter Davidson and the marble bust of motor car racer Phil Garlick.

• Learning and Research Potential: The cemetery is like an outdoor library. It holds a lot of information about families, history, architecture, and art. It can help us understand the social history of Sydney and New South Wales. It is also easy to visit because of its location near Watsons Bay and public transport.

• Unique Landscape: South Head General Cemetery has a unique and special landscape. It stands out from other cemeteries of its age and size. The quality of its monuments and its layout are similar to much larger cemeteries. The fact that it has no separate religious sections is very rare. Its location overlooking the Tasman Sea makes it a peaceful place for both remembrance and quiet reflection.

• Example of a Public Cemetery: It is a great example of a public cemetery from the Victorian period in New South Wales. The monuments show how people's views on death and remembrance have changed since the late 1800s. The ongoing use of the cemetery and the introduction of new grave styles also show how funeral practices continue to evolve.