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Over the years our site has changed considerably. A caretaker’s residence and Lodge offices were originally situated just inside the entrance gates. What was once the cemetery entrance is now in the vicinity of our Administration area as the boundaries of the site have expanded over the years. Two hoop pines located on Main Drive, between the Luculia and Casuarina areas, indicate where the original entrance to the cemetery was located.
The Original Inner Entrance to Springvale Botanical Cemetery - circa early 1900’s
 First Entrance Gates - circa early 1900’s |
 Lodge Offices – circa early 1900’s |
The Boyd Chapel, erected in 1936, was the first of the five chapels to be built within Springvale Botanical Cemetery. The Boyd Chapel, along with the Renowden Chapel (1941), the Wilson Chapel (1963) and the Blair Chapel (1971), formed a complex of four chapels surrounding the crematorium.
All chapels were named after Chairmen of the Trust, with the exception of the Blair, which was named after a long serving Trust Member. A fifth chapel, the Chapel of Eternal Rest, was built in 1997 and is incorporated within the Rocco Surace Mausoleum. State of the art improvements have been made in recent years to both the Boyd and Renowden chapels including plasma screens installed in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
 
Early Administration Offices at Springvale Botanical Cemetery – circa 1950’s
Administration Offices – 2007
 Aerial shot of Springvale Botanical Cemetery - circa 1940 |
 Aerial shot of Springvale Botanical Cemetery – 2002 | On the 5th December 1945, the Cross of Sacrifice was unveiled to
commemorate 601 Commonwealth Service personnel who lost their lives in
World War 2. Adjacent to this war cemetery, the Victorian Garden of
Remembrance was opened in the 1960's and is maintained by the Office of
Australian War Graves.
The American Expeditionary Forces arranged to have its own exclusive section within the cemetery. In April 1945 the 38 interred American service personnel were exhumed and transferred to Sydney for re-interment.
 
Commonwealth War Cemetery - 2005
A focus on
preserving existing plant species while enhancing cemetery development
has been apparent at Springvale Botanical Cemetery for decades. In
1964 the Melia garden was renamed to the Brind Garden in recognition of
the retiring Manager. Mr H.F. Brind ensured that the area was designed
in order to retain as many of the established native trees as possible.
In
the 1970’s it became apparent that skilled gardeners were required to
maintain and develop the horticultural environment. It was late in
this period that the renowned Garden of No Distant Place was created.
This area involved elaborate landscaping and running water features in
conjunction with the Books of Remembrance, housed within four glass
pavilions.
Other key areas are:
• The
Grevillea Garden which was the first memorial garden with rose beds set
in circular patterns, rather than the traditional straight beds.
• The Alway Lawn which was the first lawn area to have plaques flush with the lawn.
• The Rapids Garden which contains the first water course memorial garden.
Rocco Surace Mausoleum – 1998 |
In 1994
there was a change in Victorian law to allow above ground interments.
The first stage of the Rocco Surace Mausoleum opened in 1997. It was
named after a longstanding Trust Member and former Mayor of the City of
Dandenong. With the predominant use of marble and granite, a beautiful
stained glass window and Mediterranean-styled courtyards, it allowed
for 1,188 interments. In November 1998, stage two was opened and
allowed for a further 1,688 interments.
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The open space between the Boyd and Renowden chapels was converted to a function room in 1999. This facility caters for after funeral refreshments.
Chapel Function Room – 1999
Police Memorial – 2007
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The Police Memorial was erected in 1999 to commemorate all Victorian police officers who died, or were killed, in the line of duty. Both cremation memorials and burials are available adjacent to the site for police members and their families. A memorial commemorating the late Victorian Police Commissioner William "Frank" Green is one of a number of memorials located at the site. Each year at the end of September the official closing of National Police Remembrance Day is held at the Police Memorial within Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
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The Walls of Reflection – 2001 |
Our centennial year in 2001 saw the
addition of the café/florist, the Reflection and Tecoma function rooms,
along with the Walls of Reflection. Providing a temporary memorial for
cremated remains, the Walls of Reflection allow family and friends to
visit and reflect whilst permanent memorial arrangements are being
made.
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The Tecoma Function Room - 2007
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Café/Florist - 2001
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In 2003, the beautiful Song He Yuan area was officially opened. The Song He Yuan provides Asian style burial and cremation memorial options and is the home of the Di Zhang Wang Temple and Buddha.
The name of the area has significance:
Song – Evergreen Pine Trees, which represent long lasting life.
He – the Crane, which is regarded as a long-life bird.
Yuan – garden.
Chinese people often use the words ‘Song’ and ‘He’ together to wish a lucky, long living life, especially for elderly people.
The Di Zhang Wang Buddha and temple – opened in 2007
The beautiful Song He Yuan area - 2007
The Luciano Rossetti Mausoleum – 2007 |
The architectural award winning Luciano Rossetti Mausoleum opened, adjacent to the Rocco Surace Mausoleum, in 2005. It provides for a further 1,398 interments. This mausoleum also features six exclusive family rooms.
In 2006, The Necropolis Springvale changed its trading name to Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
The grounds of Springvale Botanical Cemetery are unique as they are comprised of varying types of grave sites, memorials and garden areas. Set on over 169 hectares (422 acres) of world renowned botanical gardens, the grounds reflect beauty and tranquility. |
An early garden area at Springvale Botanical Cemetery |
The R. J. Smith Pools and Garden of No Distant Place - 2007 | |
