Epping Cemetery Walk (Epping)
.jpg "Epping Cemetery Walk (Epping)")
Take a walk back into history with a glimpse of some of the oldest local graves which date back to the mid-19th century. See landscapes and vegetation as they were well before European settlement arrived in this area.
The easy walk is on formed gravel and mown grassy paths.
Epping Cemetery provides a glimpse of the cultural and natural history of the region with historical graves dating back to the mid-19th century and nationally significant remnant grassland that pre-dates European settlement.
The cemetery is an island of the original vegetation and landscape that existed prior to settlement on land on the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri-Willam Clan. In the mid-19th century much of the Epping region became pastoral land. Four acres was set aside for a cemetery to service this growing agricultural area and the Epping Township.
Epping Cemetery is of national botanical significance due to its rare grasslands and grassy woodland vegetation. Management of this reserve ensures that the rich indigenous flora species of the grassland persist for future generations.
Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands are complex ecologies which contain a diverse range of colourful and beautiful plants supporting a range of native fauna. Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) is the dominant species along with Wallaby Grass and Common Tussock Grass.
A range of colourful daisies, lilies, orchids and native peas provide a delightful wildflower display through spring. The large River Red Gums support fauna populations, in particular birds and small mammals. The Epping Cemetery also contains one of the greatest densities of the nationally endangered Matted Flax-Lily (Dianella amoena) plants in Australia.
What to see and do
- Take the time to appreciate the local historical interest of the cemetery and the beauty of the rare grasslands.
- Look for shiny skinks basking in the sun upon the graves and rocks.
- Photograph and encounter range of local indigenous flora and fauna.
- Listen and look out for the Red-rumped Parrots while they perch and flutter in the open grasslands.
- See the colour explosion of Spring-time wildflowers in the grasslands.
- Take in the audio-visual feast with the sounds of the Common Froglet and the trilling of the birds as they manoeuvre through the trees.
- Read the inscriptions on the headstones and learn about the live of Epping residents of the past.
History of the Site
The Wurundjeri Willum Clan are the traditional custodians of the land now known as the northern suburbs of Melbourne, including a large portion of the City of Whittlesea. They are part of the greater Kulin nation, which incorporates four other aboriginal nations across much of metropolitan and greater Melbourne. They have been the traditional custodians of Narrm (the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung word for Melbourne) for many tens of thousands of years.
1835-1837
On the 6th June 1853, John Batman and prominent members of the Wurundjeri Willum signed a historic treaty which ceded six-hundred thousand acres (including the City of Whittlesea) to the Port Phillip Association. This treaty remains controversial to this day.
In 1837, following Robert Hoddle's survey, Sydney investors John Hoskins and Terry Hughes purchased the land which is now Epping.
1840-1850
The Wollert pastoral run extending over the remainder of the parish was first leased by John Pike JP. Charles Caldwell Campbell held the run from 1840-1850.
1853
Following a survey of the pastoral into modest farms the land was purchased at auction on the 27th of January 1853. In the survey, seventeen acres of land was set aside for a cemetery and recreation reserve.
1858
Cemetery trustees were appointed and regulations were formally gazetted. The cemetery site was subdivided into various sections to serve different denominations.
1894
The original Sexton's but burnt down in 1894, taking with it all burial records. A second burial register was established and includes the names of many of the district's early settlers. This register is now held at Mill Park Library.
1956
The ten acre cemetery site proved difficult to manage due to the seam of basal underground which often required the blasting of graves. The maintenance was beyond the financial resources of the trustees, so they were grateful when a five acre section without graves was transferred to the adjoining recreation reserve, now Epping Recreation Reserve.
1967
The cemetery was closed in 1967 except to those holding deeds to sites and internments In existing family graves. This allowed for the preservation of a grassland reserve of Regional Significance which includes Red Gum Woodland and a diverse understorey of native grassland species.
1994
In 1994 the Epping Cemetery was identified by the Victorian State Government as an area of significant local biodiversity. Vegetation of the site is now protected under a conservation agreement. The site is managed to protect significant flora and improve the habitat for local birds and animals.
Photos:
Location
875 High Street, Epping 3076 Map
Web Links
→ Epping Cemetery Brochure (PDF)
