The grant, part of the Victorian Government’s Local History Grants Program, will fund a historical signage board that will record the story of the original pioneer cemetery at Carlyle which was the burial place of some of the earliest population from the Carlyle, Wahgunyah and Rutherglen surrounding areas.
Estimates from Rutherglen historian Nyree Wiggins suggests that approximately 150 could be buried at the site just off Carlyle Road. Research shows the cemetery was used from approximately 1848 to 1864.
The cemetery was closed due to continuous flooding across the area. Ironically, newer Carlyle Cemetery along Distillery Road which opened in 1865 also floods intermittently.
There is no longer evidence of any cemetery memorial headstones, long gone since 1913 when approximately twelve headstones were still visible and documented.
In depth research has been undertaken over the last five years relating to the cemetery site, the exact location, recording the interments, capturing topographical imagery, obtaining historical pioneer land maps, and dealing with various agencies to establish and support its existence.
The cemetery was approximately 1.5 acres in size with an estimate of anywhere up to 150 interments.
Research is continuing to discover further names and details.
Once forgotten, the story of the pioneer cemetery will now be written into the pages of our area’s history as a worthy historical location that tells of the earliest pioneers, their lives, stories, and connections.
Ms Wiggins said that many people interred at this cemetery were representative of diverse cultural and ethnic origins which was indicative of early settlement, the river trade, early goldfields life and the station runs.
“The Rutherglen Historical Society would like to thank Alan Howard who owns the land surrounding the cemetery for his support in this important historical research,” Ms Wiggins said.
“It’s also been wonderful to work cohesively with the Wahgunyah Historical Society and our neighbours in Chiltern.
“Rutherglen Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the Local History Grants Program and Public Record Office Victoria, supported by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund.”
Wahgunyah Historical Society’s Sue Fenn praised Ms Wiggins for her passion and dedication to uncovering the areas history.
“We are absolutely thrilled that the first burial site in the area is being recognised. This puts the Carlyle settlement on the map,” she said.
“I’d like to pay tribute to Nyree and the wonderful work she is doing.”
Rutherglen Historical Society president Julie Taylor said once complete, the site will add to the growing number of historical tourism spots in the region.
“Historical tourism has become a big thing out of Covid,” Ms Taylor said.
“It’s exciting that we get to respect the people who came before us in such a special way. They might not have had that opportunity otherwise.”
The Victorian Community History Awards, a collaborative effort between Public Record Office Victoria and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, have been a cornerstone of historical recognition since 1998.
These awards encompass a variety of categories, culminating in the prestigious Victorian Premier’s History Award, which offers a grant of $5,000.
“The Local History Grants Program is all about supporting our local historians and community groups. I am delighted Rutherglen Historical Society has received this grant which will showcase and share the rich local history with generations to come,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said.
The 2022-23 round of funding sees a total of 42 community groups being awarded grants, a testament to the vitality of Victoria’s local history initiatives.
The call for entries for the 2023 awards will open soon, inviting all history enthusiasts to contribute to the ongoing narrative of Victoria’s past.
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