White Hills Public Cemetery

Bendigo Victoria

In 1854 when the White Hills Cemetery was officially opened it was known as Junction Cemetery however it is believed to have been used as a cemetery well before this date. Once gold was discovered at the seven White Hills, the area was inundated with optimistic diggers. Locals within the White Hills area, including the Chinese from the Chinese settlement soon claimed the site as a cemetery to bury their dead. The initial burials took place without registration, therefore the first person buried at the White Hills Cemetery is not known. The earliest recognised grave at present is that of Gustave Alphonse Eugere Vazie who died in November 1853, aged 19 months.

The White Hills Public Cemetery is regarded as significant because it is a substantially intact example of a mid nineteenth century gold-fields cemetery. The cemetery lies in a picturesque setting of curved pathways and has a number of significant and rare plantings.

It features are important as they are typically representive of nineteenth century cemeteries. Structures such as the Chinese Burning Tower, the Entrance Gates, the Rotunda and indeed many of the headstones and footstones are worthy of inspection. The original cemetery was about ten acres but today comprises some twenty four acres.

The Chinese Burial ground at the site is regarded as one of the most authentic Chinese burial sites in Australia.