By JASON TURNER
GHOSTS of Dandenong’s rich and colourful past still haunt the old Dandenong Community Cemetery.
Volunteer group Friends of Dandenong Cemetery is eager to share the vast local history buried in the resting place in Kirkham Road, off Dandenong-Frankston Road.
Group chairwoman Frances Bakker said the group had uncovered some noteworthy names in the area’s local history.
She said about nine of the city’s founding fathers were buried there, along with some of the men involved in the Dandenong Improvement Committee, the predecessor of the then shire council.
“They are important identities in local history,” Mrs Bakker said. “All these men have streets named after them.”
Some of the significant people include Henry Powis, builder of Dandenong’s first state school in 1874 on the corner of Robinson and Foster streets, and Alex Bowman, who helped build the city’s first non-vested Church of England school.
“Even though we don’t have anyone from outside Dandenong, they are significant people,” the Doveton resident said.
The group is holding an open day at the cemetery this Saturday, when members hope to share the interesting tales about the people resting there.
“We’re trying to encourage locals to learn about the history of the city. We want more of the community to learn,” Mrs Bakker said.
About 3000 people are buried in the cemetery. The Friends began documenting the graves last August and Ms Bakker said the job was “99 per cent” complete.
Trawling through old newspapers and church records might seem a tedious task but she has found it fascinating.
Mrs Bakker has lived in the Dandenong area for about 18 years. “I’ve always loved history,” she said. “But this is more personal to me.”
Mini tours and assistance for people trying to locate relatives will be available on the day.
Dandenong Community Cemetery open day is on this Saturday from 11am-4pm in Kirkham Road, Dandenong South.
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