Our History at Bunurong Memorial Park
Location
Opening Hours
Visiting hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
8:00 am to 8:00 pm during Daylight Savings
Customer Service Centre: Mon – Fri, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed Public Holidays.
Contact
phone: (03) 9788 9488
email: bmp@smct.org.au
Bunurong Memorial Park History
Bunurong Memorial Park was established in 1995 by the Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries Trust. In that year the administration office was built, significant earthworks and landscaping started and the construction of roads completed. An extensive irrigation system was established for what was to become the Le Page Lawn and the beginnings of the Genesis Gardens.
The first burial occurred on 8 February 1996, and the official opening of the memorial park was held on 29 August with the Hon Rob Knowles, Minister for Health, presiding. Since then over 30,000 burials and cremations have taken place within the 100 hectares (247 acres) site.
In 1997 both the crematorium and the Pietà Mausoleum courtyard were developed. The new crematorium conducted 407 cremations in the first year, followed by 1,350 the following year. The Sturdee Memorial Garden was established in 1999 to honour ex-servicemen and women, and the Asian-inspired Fushou Yuan area was founded in 2000 to cater to the local Asian community.
The foundation stone for the Resurrection of Saint Lazarus Greek Orthodox Church was laid by the Hon Daniel Andrews, Minister for Health, and Archbishop Ezekiel on 17 May 2008. The church was officially opened and blessed on 12 May 2012 by His Eminence, Archbishop Stylianos of Australia, and adjacent graves are available for sale.
Notable interments include:
- Donald Chipp – Politician and founder of the Australian Democrats
- Troy Broadbridge – AFL Melbourne Football Club player
- Andrew Gilbert – Jockey
- Mark Goring – Jockey
