The Macedon Memorial Cross; Cameron Drive Mount Macedon
Built atop Mount Macedon, the Macedon Memorial Cross was built to remember the dead of the Great War.
The cross was constructed by local landowner William Cameron, and this is why the memorial is also known as the Cameron Memorial Cross. At the cost of £10,000.00 it is constructed of Wunderlich terra cotta tiles on a steel base. William wished to honour the war dead of the Great War, whilst at the same time providing employment for local men during the Depression. The cross was dedicated by Stanley Argyle, the Victorian Premier, in March 1935. A plaque in its base reads: 'To the Glory of God and in memory of Australia's sons 1914 - 1918. "Death cannot rob them of their glory, nor time efface the memory of their gallant deeds."'
It stood for many years, and survived lightening strikes, and even the Ash Wednesday Bushfire in 1983 where photos of the time show it standing out like a white beacon against blackened trees. Yet finally by the 1990s, the internal structure was compromised so badly that it was in danger of falling down. An identical replica monument of reinforced concrete was donated by successful construction businessmen Bruno and Rino Grollo. It was unveiled by the Governor of Victoria, the Honorable Richard E. McGarvie AC in November 1995.
Today it stands proudly and strongly amid a manicured garden, surrounded by beautiful Australian bushland, a testament to the war dead of the Great War.
I spent a delightful Saturday with the Famous Flickr Five+ Group in Mount Macedon, where I have never been before. Now I have, I would very much like to go back to such a picturesque place again.
The Mount Macedon township is located east of the Mount Macedon summit, which is approximately 60 km north-west of Melbourne.
The name of Mount Macedon is apparently derived from Philip II, who ruled Macedon between 359 and 336BC. The mountain was named by Thomas Mitchell, the New South Wales Surveyor General.
Settled in the 1850s by gold miners and timber cutters, the railway arrived at the Mount Macedon township in 1861, providing a vital connection to Melbourne, and sealing the town's future as a 'hill station' resort for wealthy Melburnians escaping the summer heat in the 1870s. With the land deforested, large blocks were sold and beautiful and extensive gardens were planted around the newly built homes. The rich soil and good rainfall also made the area suitable for large orchards and plant nurseries who could send fruit and flowers back to Melbourne. Newspaper owner, David Syme, built a house, "Rosenheim" in 1869. It was acquired in 1886 for Victorian Governors to use as a country retreat, making Mount Macedon an attractive destination for the well heeled of Melbourne society. A primary school was built in Mount Macedon in 1874, and as the decades progressed, hotels, guest houses, shops, a Presbyterian Church and Church of England were built. In 1983, Mount Macedon was devastated by the Ash Wednesday Bush Fires. A large portion of the town was raised, and a number of lives were lost. However, like a phoenix from the ashes, Mount Macedon has risen and rebuilt. Today it is still a popular holiday destination, particularly during spring time when the well established gardens flourish with flowers and in autumn when the exotic trees explode in a riot of reds and yellows.
The Macedon Memorial Cross; Cameron Drive Mount Macedon
Built atop Mount Macedon, the Macedon Memorial Cross was built to remember the dead of the Great War.
The cross was constructed by local landowner William Cameron, and this is why the memorial is also known as the Cameron Memorial Cross. At the cost of £10,000.00 it is constructed of Wunderlich terra cotta tiles on a steel base. William wished to honour the war dead of the Great War, whilst at the same time providing employment for local men during the Depression. The cross was dedicated by Stanley Argyle, the Victorian Premier, in March 1935. A plaque in its base reads: 'To the Glory of God and in memory of Australia's sons 1914 - 1918. "Death cannot rob them of their glory, nor time efface the memory of their gallant deeds."'
It stood for many years, and survived lightening strikes, and even the Ash Wednesday Bushfire in 1983 where photos of the time show it standing out like a white beacon against blackened trees. Yet finally by the 1990s, the internal structure was compromised so badly that it was in danger of falling down. An identical replica monument of reinforced concrete was donated by successful construction businessmen Bruno and Rino Grollo. It was unveiled by the Governor of Victoria, the Honorable Richard E. McGarvie AC in November 1995.
Today it stands proudly and strongly amid a manicured garden, surrounded by beautiful Australian bushland, a testament to the war dead of the Great War.
I spent a delightful Saturday with the Famous Flickr Five+ Group in Mount Macedon, where I have never been before. Now I have, I would very much like to go back to such a picturesque place again.
The Mount Macedon township is located east of the Mount Macedon summit, which is approximately 60 km north-west of Melbourne.
The name of Mount Macedon is apparently derived from Philip II, who ruled Macedon between 359 and 336BC. The mountain was named by Thomas Mitchell, the New South Wales Surveyor General.
Settled in the 1850s by gold miners and timber cutters, the railway arrived at the Mount Macedon township in 1861, providing a vital connection to Melbourne, and sealing the town's future as a 'hill station' resort for wealthy Melburnians escaping the summer heat in the 1870s. With the land deforested, large blocks were sold and beautiful and extensive gardens were planted around the newly built homes. The rich soil and good rainfall also made the area suitable for large orchards and plant nurseries who could send fruit and flowers back to Melbourne. Newspaper owner, David Syme, built a house, "Rosenheim" in 1869. It was acquired in 1886 for Victorian Governors to use as a country retreat, making Mount Macedon an attractive destination for the well heeled of Melbourne society. A primary school was built in Mount Macedon in 1874, and as the decades progressed, hotels, guest houses, shops, a Presbyterian Church and Church of England were built. In 1983, Mount Macedon was devastated by the Ash Wednesday Bush Fires. A large portion of the town was raised, and a number of lives were lost. However, like a phoenix from the ashes, Mount Macedon has risen and rebuilt. Today it is still a popular holiday destination, particularly during spring time when the well established gardens flourish with flowers and in autumn when the exotic trees explode in a riot of reds and yellows.