About Us
The Eltham Cemetery Trust, established in 1858, selected the existing burial site at Mount Pleasant Road on high ground overlooking the village of Eltham.
Trustees appointed from various church and local organisations have administered and maintained the cemetery to this day.
The cemetery, set in natural bushland adjoining Montsalvat, is the resting place of Sir William Irvine, a former Premier and Chief justice of Victoria.
Headstones depict the names of many early and well known local families.
Eltham Cemetery continues to serve the needs of the local community.
Recent developments, including landscaping, have improved the cemetery's design, encouraged vegetation, and enhanced the natural environment.
Residents of Eltham and surrounding areas may purchase or reserve places incorporated within the landscaped grounds.
In addition to Ashes Walk ashes may now be interred in a variety of newly created facilities including rock outcrops, paving slabs, stone walls and a waterfall.
Continuing maintenance and beautification help preserve the character and dignity of the natural environment.
In accordance with the Cemeteries Act
Trustees are appointed to their positions by the Governor-In-Council.
This type of Trust system was established in the 1800's
and still forms the basis of cemetery management today.
The trustees' primary role is to manage the cemetery
efficiently, to provide a facility that the community
can be proud of and to preserve funds for its future
maintenance.
Fred Harrington, chairman, was appointed to the Trust
in 1983, Geoffrey Watt and Bruce Holland in 1980, and
Terry Woolley in 1995. Like their predecessors they
are volunteers, donating their time, skills, dedication
and vision to the running of Eltham Cemetery.
The cemetery has two full-time staff members who attend
to burials, ashes interments and all aspects of cemetery
maintenance. A secretary is engaged to implement the
Trust's policies and planning and to attend to the day
to day running of the cemetery.