Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust

Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust The Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is a community based, not-for-profit organisation c

Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust ( SMCT) is a public entity reporting to the Minister for Health, purposed with providing cemetery, cremation and related support services to the community on the government’s behalf.

Join the City Nature Challenge 25-28 April 2026 🐝🌱🌸The City Nature Challenge is a worldwide initiative to gather observa...
26/04/2026

Join the City Nature Challenge 25-28 April 2026 🐝🌱🌸

The City Nature Challenge is a worldwide initiative to gather observations of wild plants and animals.

This year, we encourage you to explore our beautiful sites, and log it as part of the local council area. 📷 Snap a photo of a plant or animal, or record a call, and upload it to iNaturalist between 25 - 28 April 2026.

Your observations are automatically added to the project, and will help your local council (and SMCT!) understand who and what is growing in our urban spaces.

➡️ Visit the iNaturalist page here
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/projects/city-nature-challenge-2026-greater-melbourne-umbrella

🪲 For more tips visit https://engagewith.smct.org.au/calling-all-citizen-scientists

This Saturday 25 April, we're holding our second ever ANZAC Dawn Service at the Springvale War Cemetery within SBC. The ...
21/04/2026

This Saturday 25 April, we're holding our second ever ANZAC Dawn Service at the Springvale War Cemetery within SBC. The service will start at 6 am with our mobile cafe Hilda serving jam donuts and warm coffee beforehand. ☕
You, your family and friends are welcome to attend. Join us as we honour the people who have served our country. 🎖️❤️
For event details, please visit https://www.smct.org.au/events/anzac-dawn-service

Creating meaningful spaces where people can come together in grief is an important part of what we do.Recently, families...
15/04/2026

Creating meaningful spaces where people can come together in grief is an important part of what we do.
Recently, families, partners and community members gathered at Bunurong Memorial Park for the Say Their Name Day service, held with Red Nose Australia, to remember babies and children gone too soon.
This year, Red Nose Australia's Blue Wren symbol gently reminded us that even after loss, love and memories stay close. The service offered a heartfelt moment to share stories, say names and remember together.
Red Nose Australia Community Engagement Coordinator Fotini Koklas said:
“This is my second year working with SMCT, and our partnership means so much to us. We were honoured to have SMCT CEO Ingrid Harvey open the service, and the feedback from families made it a really special day.”
Thank you to our dedicated team and partners for helping create a warm, welcoming space for connection and remembrance. 💙
📷Photos: Fotini with Ingrid and Programs and Partnerships team members Leah Grier and Jacqui Ueckert.

National Miscarriage Awareness Day and Tour of the Butterfly GardenSMCT & Miscarriage Information Support Services (MISS...
13/04/2026

National Miscarriage Awareness Day and Tour of the Butterfly Garden

SMCT & Miscarriage Information Support Services (MISS) warmly invite you to join us for the annual National Miscarriage Awareness Day service, including a guided tour of the Butterfly Garden (miscarriage and early pregnancy loss memorial garden) at Bunurong Memorial Park.

National Miscarriage Awareness Day, recognised annually on the first Sunday in May, is a day of remembrance and reflection for those impacted by miscarriage and early pregnancy loss, and to honour babies lost too soon.

Date: Sunday 3 May 2026

Proceedings: Arrival from 10.45am
11.00am - 12.00pm: Remembrance Service
12.00pm - 12.30pm: Refreshments
12.30pm - 1.00pm: Tour of the Butterfly Garden

Venue: The service and refreshments will be held in The Sanctuary at Bunurong Memorial Park, and guests will then proceed to the Butterfly Garden.

To register for the event, please visit: https://www.smct.org.au/events/national-miscarriage-awareness-day-butterfly-garden-launch

Further enquiries: care@smct.org.au

Designed in collaboration with Miscarriage Information Support Services (MISS) and community, the garden is a place to honour enduring love and remembrance for those who have experienced miscarriage and early pregnancy loss.

Easter Long Weekend Operating HoursAs we approach the Easter weekend, please be advised of the holiday operating hours a...
31/03/2026

Easter Long Weekend Operating Hours
As we approach the Easter weekend, please be advised of the holiday operating hours across our locations and support teams.

Please note that our cemetery and memorial park grounds will remain fully open to the public every day, allowing you to visit your loved ones over the long weekend.

Springvale Botanical Cemetery (On-site Reception)
• Good Friday: Closed
• Easter Saturday: 9 am - 1 pm
• Easter Sunday: 9 am - 5 pm
• Easter Monday: Closed

Bunurong Memorial Park (On-site Reception)
• Closed from Good Friday through to Easter Monday.

If you require assistance while our on-site receptions are closed, our central teams are available by phone during the following hours:

Contact Centre (Phone Support)
• Good Friday: Closed
• Easter Saturday: 9 am - 1 pm
• Easter Sunday & Easter Monday: Closed

Bookings Team
• Good Friday: Closed
• Easter Saturday to Easter Monday: 9 am - 4 pm daily

We wish our community a safe, restful, and peaceful Easter weekend. For site maps or further information, please visit our website: https://smct.org.au

Picnics at CemeteriesLast week, our CEO, Ingrid, joined Triple J’s Hack program to discuss why spending time in cemeteri...
30/03/2026

Picnics at Cemeteries

Last week, our CEO, Ingrid, joined Triple J’s Hack program to discuss why spending time in cemeteries is not a new concept—and why it is something we should actively embrace today.

While the idea of rolling out a picnic rug or reading a book in a cemetery might feel a little unconventional to some, our sites were purposefully designed as beautiful, peaceful spaces for the living to gather, reflect, and connect.

You can listen to Ingrid's full interview via the link below (skip to the 25-minute mark to hear her segment):

https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/trump-iran-fuel-cost-gamling-report/106471130

Qingming and Easter 2026: Visitor Update for Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial ParkQingming is an impo...
23/03/2026

Qingming and Easter 2026: Visitor Update for Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park

Qingming is an important time for many Asian communities and families to come together and honour loved ones.

This year, Qing Ming falls on Sunday, 5 April 2026, which coincides with Easter Sunday. Because of this, we are expecting significantly higher visitor numbers than usual at both Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park over the weekends of 28–29 March and 4–5 April.

To help make your visit as smooth as possible, please plan ahead and be aware of the following updates.

What to expect at both locations:

- Busy roads and car parks
- Follow clear traffic signs on-site
- Families bringing their own cleaning tools, water, and burning bins for traditional activities
- Avoid open flames on dirt, grass or concrete floors. Cooled ashes must go in SMCT ash bins
- Food offerings placed and removed within weeks to help keep the grounds clean and protect wildlife

Specific updates for Springvale Botanical Cemetery:

- Please follow all clear traffic management signs on-site to assist with the flow of vehicles.
- Expect longer wait times for page-turning services at the Garden of No Distant Place, especially on Saturdays between 9 am and 1 pm.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this special time for our families.

For site maps, further updates, or to order floral tributes ahead of your visit, please see our website: https://www.smct.org.au/about-us/events/qing-ming

Join us for a guided tour organised by Friends of St Kilda Cemetery: Ancient Mariners: Captains, Pilots and Steamship ow...
17/03/2026

Join us for a guided tour organised by Friends of St Kilda Cemetery: Ancient Mariners: Captains, Pilots and Steamship owners

Come and listen to the fascinating stories of the lives of Captains Harry Goodrham, James Cain, Robert Fullerton, and John Foster Neilson; Samuel Bourne Skinner, Henry Aspley Pellett, William Howard Smith, William Charles Gallois, and John Laidlaw Scott.

St Kilda Cemetery, Sunday 29 March
Meet at the Dandenong Road pavilion.
1:45pm for a 2:00pm start.
Members $5; Non-members $10

Bookings and enquiries: Geoff on 0448 740 195 or email foskcorg@gmail.com

To hear their name is to hold them close.There is a profound power in speaking the names of the babies and children we c...
14/03/2026

To hear their name is to hold them close.

There is a profound power in speaking the names of the babies and children we carry in our hearts. It is a simple act, but one that ensures they are recognized, honoured, and remembered.

We are privileged to once again support our friends at Red Nose for the third annual Melbourne Say Their Name Day Remembrance Service.

This year, we invite families to bring a photo or a special memento of their baby or child to place on our remembrance table.

Our Community Care & Wellbeing team has been working closely with Red Nose to ensure this service provides a warm, gentle space for connection and reflection.

We look forward to gathering with you to speak their names and hold space for one another.

Event Details:
Saturday 28th of March 2026
10:30am - 12:30pm
Stratus reflection space
Bunurong Memorial Park


Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries invite you to step back into the 1920s and uncover the haunting stories b...
14/03/2026

Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries invite you to step back into the 1920s and uncover the haunting stories behind Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery’s quiet graves. Join our tour to hear moving, forgotten tales—from a tragic family house fire to a fatal childhood mishap and a rail disaster that shook the community. Discover the tragic, yet fascinating lives that shaped our local history.

Event details:
Location: Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery, Sunday 22 March. Meet just inside the gate at 1.30pm
Cost: Members: $12* – Non members: $15*
Refreshments provided
Bookings required: Email info@focrc.org or call 9497 1318

* Please note that this tour is organised by the Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries, not by SMCT.

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Questions about memorial options? We're here to listen. Book a no-obligation appointment with our Family Services team. ...
12/03/2026

Questions about memorial options? We're here to listen. Book a no-obligation appointment with our Family Services team. We can show you the grounds and help you understand what's possible. Book a time that suits you: https://www.smct.org.au/contact

Address

600 Princes Highway
Springvale, VIC
3171

Telephone

+61385588278

Website

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