Axedale Public Cemetery

Nick Beatnik _{on Google}

Nov 17th, 2022

Axedale is on the land of Dja Dja Wurrung traditional owners.
There are two cemeteries side by side on Cemetery Road, Axedale - the General Cemetery and the Catholic Cemetery. British settlers in Australia brought with them the prejudice against the Irish, and this little piece of geography reflects that, written in stone. This yard was set aside for the Protestant population of the area in 1858. The cemetery averaged 2 burials a year and by 1970 had only 128 plots. Almost none of the earliest headstones remain, and only a quarter of the graves have headstones, so mostly what you can see are more recent graves.
Parking is on the dirt road out the front, the yard is very small and on a gentle incline, with unpaved paths, so it shouldn't present too much difficulty for those with limited mobility. There is sparse shade provided by some trees, no seating, no water and no facilities. The yard is well kept. There is a memorial lone pine tree dedicated to the ANZAC centenary near the center of the yard.