Brighton General Cemetery

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Brighton General Cemetery

A most historic and significant cemetery. The prized final resting place of eminent Victorians.

Established in 1854, Brighton General Cemetery is one of Melbourne’s oldest and most significant cemeteries and is one of eight cemeteries within the care of the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT). The classic garden style-grounds, which feature many significant and ornate monuments, span 12 hectares (30 acres) and are surrounded by an historic red brick wall.

01/09/2026

🌼💛 Celebrating National Wattle Day 💛🌼
As the first signs of spring emerge, the bright blooms of wattles are lighting up our cemeteries and memorial parks.
Wattles are among Australia's most recognisable native plants and are celebrated for their resilience, diversity and connection to the Australian landscape. Across our sites, wattles provide vibrant colour, seasonal interest, and valuable food and shelter for birds, insects and other wildlife. 🐝🦋🐦 They also hold deep cultural significance for First Nations peoples and remain an important part of Australia's natural and cultural heritage. 🌿
📷 Have you spotted wattle at one of our sites? We'd love to see your photos in the comments!

27/08/2026

Look closely at Brighton General Cemetery and you will find layers of local history in its gates, trees and memorial details.
Follow the page for more local history.

26/07/2026

Please be advised that a nationwide emergency alert test will be sent to mobile devices across Australia today at 2:00pm.

When the test is issued, compatible mobile phones, smartwatches, and tablets may vibrate, display a test message, and play a loud siren-like sound for approximately 10 seconds. Please note that this will occur even if your device is set to silent.

Our cemetery grounds, services, and hospitality venues remain fully operational during this time.

If you are attending a funeral service, a scheduled appointment, or visiting a loved one's memorial around 2:00pm today, we gently encourage you to switch your devices off entirely or place them into aeroplane mode to help minimise any disruptions.

Please be aware that if you switch your device back on during or shortly after the test period, you may still receive the alert.

Our team members will be on hand across all our locations to provide support and guidance. We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a peaceful environment for all our visiting families.

For further information regarding the emergency test, please visit: https://www.ausalert.gov.au/alerts-explained/national-test

09/06/2026

Glen Eira Story Stelling Festival - Artist of the Brighton Cemetery, Saturday 27 June

Many artists who played significant roles in the history of Australian art are buried in the Brighton Cemetery. Hear the stories from beyond the grave of these fascinating lives and their connections to art and each other. The Melbourne art world was comparatively small, so it is not surprising that many of their lives were linked. Artists we will visit on this walk include a few of the Boyds, Albert Tucker, Will Dyson and Frederick McCubbin; just some of the many artists buried within the walls of the Brighton Cemetery.

This event is organised by Brighton Cemetorians. Rachel Mackay who will be taking the walk is part of the local art network and is a member of the Brighton Cemetorians.

Walk begins at 2.00pm. Meet at the front gate on North Road
Cost $15 per person / Members $10 (cash)
Bookings essential: Lois on 9558 4248.

04/06/2026

A gentle reminder to secure today’s rates before 30 June

We know that thinking about the future can be difficult, but taking the step to plan ahead is one of the most practical and thoughtful gifts you can leave for your family.

If you have been considering pre-planning a memorial space or arrangement at one of our sites, we want to let you know that our current prices are locked in until 30 June 2026.

From 1 July 2026, a government-regulated price update of 3.1% will take effect across all Victorian cemetery trusts in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

By completing your pre-planning arrangements this month, you can finalise your choices at our lower rates. More importantly, pre-planning locks in the cost of your selected products and services forever, completely protecting your family from any future cost increases.

Whether you are looking at arrangements for yourself or a loved one, our team is available to help you navigate these updates and understand exactly what they mean for you.

Our Sales and Contact Centre teams are here to guide you with care and clarity at every step of the way. Book an obligation-free appointment with us today to discuss your plans.

Visit https://www.smct.org.au/news/2026-planned-price-updates for more information.

19/05/2026

Law Week Walk – “Lives Cut Short”
Brighton Cemetery, Sunday 24 May

This weekend, join us for a guided walking tour organised by Brighton Cemetorians. On this walk you will hear of the three young lads who drowned in Gardiners Creek, a young girl murdered when going on an errand for her mother, the jockey who fell during a race meeting. These are but a few of the stories that you will hear about on this walk of lives full of promise, never to be.

Walk begins at the office at 2.00pm
$15 per person / Members $10 [Cash]
Bookings essential: Lois on 9558 4248

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

08/03/2026

Hand on heart, they came with hope.

This St Patrick’s Day, look beyond the parades and discover the real stories of the Irish immigrants who helped build our community.

Join us on Sunday, 15 March for a special guided walk at Brighton General Cemetery. We will explore the triumphs and tragedies of those who arrived with willingness, resilience, and perhaps a bit of blarney.

We will visit the memorials of local figures including:

- Mary Malahan, who remarkably emigrated in her 70s to follow her sons to East Bentleigh—a testament to the strength of family bonds.

- Michael Quirk, Mary Brady, and Robert & Harriet Arnold, among others who made this area their home.

Discover the history written in stone right on your doorstep.

Event Details:
Date: Sunday, 15 March
Time: 2 pm
Meeting Point: Near the front gate, Brighton General Cemetery
Cost: $15 per person

Bookings are essential. Please call Lois on 9558 4248 to secure your place.

25/02/2026

If stones could speak... ✒️ Brighton General Cemetery is the final resting place of poets, politicians, and pioneers. Their stories helped shape Victoria. Who is the most interesting figure you've discovered here?

Photo Credit: S. Milbourn, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

09/02/2026

Step back into the exuberant era of the Yorick Club.

Brighton General Cemetery is more than a resting place; it is a library of Melbourne’s most fascinating stories.

Join us this Sunday, 15 February for a special guided tour exploring the legends of the Yorick Club—the writers, artists, and personalities who shaped the cultural fabric of our city.

We will be viewing the superb refurbishment of poet Adam Lindsay Gordon’s grave and visiting the final resting places of celebrated figures including:

- Cartoonist, illustrator and writer Tom Carrington
- Former Chief of Hansard David Dickenson Wheeler
- Journalist George Arthur Walstab

Come and hear the stories of these members and the lively era they represented.

Event Details:
Date: Sunday, 15 February
Time: 2 pm
Meeting Point: Near the front gate, Brighton General Cemetery
Cost: $15 per person

Bookings are essential. Please call Lois on 9558 4248 to secure your place.

Address

Crn North Road & Hawthorn Rd
Melbourne, VIC
3162

Website

https://smct.org.au/our-locations/about-brighton-general-cemetery

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