Melbourne Cemetery Tours

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M e l b o u r n e
C e m e t e r y
T o u r s*

Tour guides Helen D. Harris OAM and Jan Davidson have been running tours of Melbourne General Cemetery for over twenty five years, and have a detailed knowledge of many of the fascinating characters of Australian history who are buried there. Their knowledge comes from many hours of research spent in libraries and the Public Record Office.

Regular tours, on different topics, are listed below. Tours last two hours, followed by refreshments, (coeliacs catered for) and cost $20 per person. We do not charge GST. Gift Vouchers are available.

Bookings are essential, and can be made on either (03) 9890 9288 or (03) 9872 5492 or 0448 844 809. Email Helen, hdh1 at ozemail.com.au (replace the 'at' with @ and remove the spaces ) for inquiries. Please be aware that occasionally, when thunderstorms are predicted, we have to cancel tours at short notice – but we would always advise attendees of this. We also have to cancel if high temperatures (above 30 degrees) are predicted, as the cemetery can become unpleasantly hot. Please note that we do not run tours on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day because of the traffic congestion within the cemetery.

As well as these tours, special tours on a topic of your choice, can be offered to groups of five or more people, on a date selected by you. Among the groups who have used our services are genealogical and historical groups, Probus, University of the Third Age, Rotary, Apex, LAC, Red Hat Ladies and other community groups. Smaller groups can also be catered for, at a cost of $25 per head. Please note that parking is available within the cemetery.

*Melbourne Cemetery Tours is a registered business name.

2009

Tours will commence at various times, and usually last around two hours; bookings are essential.

January 4, 11, 18, 25: Who was Who, Part 1: Visit the graves of a wide variety of 19th century Victorian characters, from the ghost of the Princess Theatre, to the victim of one of the most sensational murder cases in our history.

February 1. This tour is cancelled because of the predicted high temperature.

February 8, 15, 22: Who was Who, Part 2: More characters from Victoria’s past, including politicians, sportsmen, a military hero and more murder victims.

March 1, 15, 29: Law & Order, Part 1: Learn about 19^th century police, judges, offenders, and a scandalous suicide.

April 5, 19: Creative Colonists, Part 1: Visit the graves of journalists, artist and stage performers, all part of the artistic and creative life of 19^th century Victoria.

May 3, 31: The Gentle Sex, Part 1: Learn about some 19^th century women and the varied lives they led.

May 16: Law Makers & Law Breakers: Special tour in conjunction with Law Week, focusing on both the upholders and the breakers of laws in this State.

June 7, 21: Medicos & Misadventures, Part 1: Learn about some 19^th century medical men, their patients and the treatments they inflicted on the sufferers.

Tours are not scheduled for July and August due to the possibility of adverse weather conditions, but bookings can be taken, provided it is recognized that tours may have to be cancelled at short notice because of bad weather.

October 4, 11: Tours will be conducted for Seniors Week, and a special discount will apply.

Please note that it is not necessary to have gone on Part 1 of any tour before booking for Parts 2, 3 or 4.