Kinglake Ranges Cemetery Trust

15/08/2025

Construction of the entry & exit crossovers back in 2022.

30/01/2024

This too is the vision of the Kinglake Ranges Cemetery Trust.

Can I visit a cemetery for exercise or leisure?

Cemeteries are often misunderstood as spaces reserved solely for the dead and those grieving.

While this is an incredibly important role cemeteries play for the public, our parks are also evolving, open spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Historically, cemeteries have been a place for families and friends to meet socially for walks, picnics and events.

Today, members of our local communities visit our locations for a variety of activities including dog walking, jogging, cycling, coffee catchups, meetings, guided and self-guided historical tours or family research, just to name a few.

We kindly ask that visitors remember our cemeteries are used as spaces for quiet reflection, and to always be mindful of others. Dogs on lead are welcome at all GMCT sites, but we do ask that they remain on lead at all times to protect wildlife, be respectful of others and ensure their own safety.

Learn more about what to expect when visiting your local cemetery: https://www.gmct.com.au/resources/what-to-expect

06/03/2023

The Kinglake Ranges Cemetery Trust are sad to announce the passing of one of our founding members Marg Hale.
We would like to acknowledge her passion and all her contributions to the cemetery, and community she loved. She will be greatly missed.

Marg’s celebration of life will be held at White Haven Reception in Whittlesea @1:30pm on Tuesday 7th March. Afternoon tea will be provided after the service.

Photo: Sue Blacket-Hale

10/02/2023

“Why isn’t somebody taking care of these old graves?”

If you find yourself asking this question while walking through certain areas of our cemeteries, you’re not alone.

Many people assume that it’s the cemetery’s responsibility to care for headstones and memorial plaques.

In fact, the right to alter, repair or remove memorials belongs to the holder of the right of interment (ROI) – the original purchaser of the plot or someone nominated by them.

As the ROI is passed from generation to generation, people often fall out of the habit of visiting and maintaining memorials and even finding the descendants of the original rights holders can be a difficult task.

If an old headstone has collapsed or become unstable, the most GMCT can do without the permission of the ROI holder is adjust its position to make the area safe for visitors.

GMCT staff work to maintain the shared space around memorials to ensure a safe, peaceful, beautiful environment for all. If you think you might be entitled to the ROI for a grave as the descendant of the original holder, GMCT can help guide you through the process of determining who holds the right.

Learn more on our website: https://www.gmct.com.au/resources/right-of-interment

28/11/2022

Take a tour of historic Coburg Cemetery and hear the stories of inspirational women from every walk of life.

09/09/2022

RIP Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022
Thank you for your service 💜

Grief is a natural response to loss. It takes many shapes.

For some people, the loss of important public figures can trigger a response that is just as real as the grief we feel when losing someone we know personally.

The loss of Queen Elizabeth II is a day of mourning for many people around the world. If you are experiencing grief today, these feelings are valid, even if people around you don’t understand or share them.

Learn more about dealing with grief that others don’t acknowledge on our website: https://www.gmct.com.au/resources/grieving-when-others-do-not-acknowledge-your-loss

Rest in Peace, Queen Elizabeth II.



Image by Kev Lochun, History Extra.

21/02/2022

A brief history of how a cemetery, to be developed at Blackwood Lane Kinglake Central, came to be.

Our Chairman, Les Joynson, went on a tour of the Kinglake Ranges with the historical society back in 2013. On the tour he discovered that there was a site set aside for a cemetery in Pheasant Creek.
He then decided to investigated this further with DHHS, and then together with a few people from the Historical society, sought out others in the community to form a Cemetery Trust.
By December 2013 there were 6 community members keen to develop the old site. The Cemetery Trust was formalized in March of 2014. Many discussions took place on how best to develop the site, which was Crown land. Quotes were obtained for earthworks, tree removal, aboriginal heritage and carparks. It didn't take long for the Trust to realize that any development at the Pheasant Creek site was going to be problematic and very costly. On DHHS's advice, Les investigated other Crown Land in the area surrounding Kinglake and found most were too small for a viable cemetery.
After much searching, he learned of the vacant Crown land in Blackwood Lane, which was less complicated for DHHS to reserve for cemetery purposes under the management of the Kinglake Ranges Cemetery Trust. This was officially gazetted in March 2016.
Over the last five years the trust worked with DHHS and council to finally have a permit granted, which was meticulously upheld by Member Glynn at VCAT, after a lengthy appeal.

The Trust is now able to begin designing the different stages of development, and will be working with the Greater Metropolitan Cemetery Trust (GMCT) along with the Cemeteries and Crematoria Association of Victoria (CCAV), and Shire of Murrindindi planning department.
Some of the Trust members gathered on the undulating site for a photo with Chairman, Les Joynson, holding the symbolic 'Golden Shovel' to commemorate this wonderful achievement. This was a joyous occasion for Trust members.
Photographed with Les is, Alex Pottage, Christine Stonehouse, Jo Ritchie, Cheryl Phillips, and John Pottage.
The Trust is looking forward to working with community groups and other stakeholders to provide this much needed community facility for the Kinglake Ranges.

06/02/2022

13 years on we remember those we lost on Black Saturday 7/2/09.
Never to be forgotten 🎗