NORTHCOTE PUBLIC CEMETERY

Northcote Public cemetery was established May 1861 when four local residents, August Schwaebsch, Albert Fritsche, Moritz Heiner and Edward Hellwig purchased one acre of land from Peter Macarthur in German Lane, Cawdortown for a cemetery. The area was later to become Separation Street, Northcote.

The Shire of Northcote assumed control of the cemetery in the 1920's.

There have been approximately 200 burials in the cemetery.

The cemetery has been closed since 1908, except to holders of Rights of Burial.

The Cemetery was in regular use up until 1940 and the last burial was in 1971.

The Burial Records of the cemetery no longer exist, but some records have been reconstructed using the old reciept books and a plan of the cemetery.

In an effort to minimise damage to the monuments the cemetery is normally locked.

By prior arrangement the cemetery will be opened to allow the Public to inspect and visit.

Currently, a program covering monument repair, drainage, levelling and landscaping is underway. This work is expected to continue over the next two to three years.

One notable monument within the cemetery is to Thomas Weatherall, who was buried in 1892, he was the works manager of the Northcote Brickworks. The monument was erected by the shareholders and workers of the brickworks and bears the words "Sweet Rest in Heaven".

Another interment, is that of Carl Adolph August Schwaebsch, a former councillor of the Shire of Northcote and descendent of August Schwaebsch, one of the founders of the cemetery.