Monday 26 December 2011

Graveyard Tragics


Tomorrow I launch yet another meme into the blogosphere: Taphophile Tragics!

Today, I thought to take the opportunity to provide a preview for any of you with a similar predilection. "How to play" is explained on the Taphophile Tragics blog which I link here, but also link in the side-bar of Sydney Eye.


These images were taken on a meander through the Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery, on the north shore of Sydney. Dedicated in May 1868, the first burial, that of Elizabeth Dalton, occured on 22nd February 1877, but headstones dated earlier than this were placed in the cemetery when the Devonshire Street Cemetery closed prior to 1906 to allow that site to be redeveloped into Central Station.

Gore Hill cemetery was closed to burials in 1977 - the final burial, that of Francis O'Brien on 24th February, 1974 - and placed on the State Heritage Register in 1986. A memorial garden for the placement of ashes was erected in 1991. Saint Mary McKillop was initially buried in the Gore Hill Cemetery (1909), until she was moved to her own chapel in North Sydney in 1914.

Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery is beside North Shore Hospital, within easy walking distance of St Leonards Railway Station.

If this tweaks your interest, come over tomorrow to Taphophile Tragics, read my first post, and consider contributing a post of your own. This week's link will be open until Friday night, Sydney time.

13 comments:

brattcat said...

these are beautiful. good luck with this.

Kay L. Davies said...

Yes, good luck with your meme. I may be in a position to join in from time to time. We shall see.
In a college course called "Urban Geography" I once used photos of the cemetery where my Davies grandparents are buried to illustrate a facet of urban geography overlooked by the other students.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Oh I know this place well ... worked opposite it for the best part of 15 years. I don't know if I ever photographed it but I know I imagined photographs on many occasions. There is a grave of Josephite nuns which fills with freesias in the spring and wild corners with wisteria and climbing roses growing in abandon.

Now for that meme, as it happens I have a taphophile post already scheduled for tomorrow so will be joining in this week and whenever the story line allows it on other weeks ... it will be fun.

Peter said...

Good luck with your meme Julie, I will follow with interest ... and see if I can rustle something up.

Mark said...

Hope you had a lovely Christmas day.
Oh I can't wait for your new meme, I have the most interesting cemetery that I snapped a few weeks ago but just haven't got around to posting it yet....that is fate.
will get it organised tonite.

Jim said...

Interesting iron work.

diane b said...

This is a wildly, pretty cemetery. Good luck with your interesting meme. I have a few that I could add when time permits.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

So much history one can find in cemeteries! And of course much opportunity for good photography!
Good luck with the meme!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Loved all these pictures Julie, the profusion of wildflowers must have been lovely to behold! I will definitely be looking forward to seeing yours and others images in the Taphophile Tragics theme.

TheChieftess said...

Love the composition of the first large photo...and the colors are lovely!!!

Julie said...

Thank you, Kathryn. Check out the style of the 'Taphophile Tragics' blog, and consider contributing a cemetery in your own vicinity. I feel sure it will be well received.

TheChieftess said...

Hmmm...I would do that Julie...except I don't know where the local cemetery is!!! Guess that's a project I can explore!!!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Julie, your photos are compelling and you know how I love the cemeteries... I have photographed many from around the world and will have to participate from time to time.

Thank you for your kind comments... I have struggled to visit lately with holidays and cranky internet service. I wish for you a wonderful new year!

Bises,
Genie