Addresses
Type of place
Cemetery
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Moggill Cemetery
Moggill Cemetery
Addresses
Type of place
Cemetery
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Moggill Cemetery is important because it survives as a remnant of the development of the area during the latter half of the nineteenth century. It is a particular type of ‘bush’ cemetery located in one of Brisbane’s outlying semi-rural areas. The significance of Moggill Cemetery lies primarily in the historical evidence of 19th century cemeteries generally, of which this is an example; and in its aesthetic qualities, and in its continued use by the public of Brisbane as a place of burial and contemplation and recreation.
Lot plan
L2_RP27554
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (D) Representative; (G) SocialInteractive mapping
Lot plan
L2_RP27554
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (D) Representative; (G) SocialInteractive mapping
History
It is believed that the Moggill Cemetery was originally a church graveyard associated with a former Methodist Chapel erected nearby, sometime prior to 1856. The Chapel was erected on the land of Joseph Lewis, who, by 1858 had dedicated half an acre for that purpose. The Chapel, a split slab construction was replaced in 1868 by a more formal church was located elsewhere. The graveyard, however, remained in use.
The first burial is thought to have been in 1855, and the gravestone of a woman who died in 1856 remains in place. Upon the introduction of the Cemetery Act of 1865, the cemetery of Moggill was officially recognised as a public burial ground, under control of trustees. In July, 1930, the cemetery was transferred into the control of the Brisbane City Council.
An isolated cemetery, it suffered from the ravages of time, overgrowth and vandalism. Since taking control, Brisbane City Council work parties have removed many of the monuments from this and other cemeteries, on the grounds that they were broken or unsafe.
A Bicentennial Plaque, dedicated to the pioneer families of Moggill, was erected by the ‘Descendants of Moggill Pioneers’, in 1988.
In 1995, as part of a continual maintenance of the site, the Moggill Cemetery Memorial Gardens were opened by the Lord Mayor of Brisbane.
Description
Set in bushland, and marked by a sign on Moggill Road, the elevated open site of the original cemetery is well hidden from the main roadway.
The site is bounded by a traditional timber rustic fence.
The cemetery is approached along a dirt road, and is situated in the far south eastern corner of the site. There is a traditional fenced area, containing the earlier graves, mostly marked by headstones.
Most gravesites are marked by headstones, or footstones, or both or a large horizontal stone slab covering the site. These differ according to individual taste, and financial circumstances of the individual or family concerned.
A stone cairn marks a dedication to the settlers and inhabitants of the Pullenvale area. A small area outside the enclosed area is marked by 2 small memorial stones and a flagpole.
One of the stones bears a dedication by the Lord Mayor, in May 1995, proclaiming this place as the Moggill Cemetery Memorial Gardens.
The other stone bears a dedication to WW11 soldiers. The flagpole did not carry a flag. The site was inspected on Anzac Day.
A recently completed part of the cemetery is tended by a member of the local community.
This site is not seen from the road, and therefore is more likely to be forgotten or neglected than the other cemeteries in this report.
The older section which is surrounded by a post and rail fence has recently been ‘cleaned up’. However it has a very ‘neglected’ appearance.
The dedication stones, flagstone and RSL memorials are not placed in any planned area, but appear lost among the bushland. These could be given a more appropriate setting.
A local resident has been caring for the newer small garden cemetery area, which is in excellent condition.
The cemetery has shown little change since its purchase by the Brisbane City Council. It remains substantially intact in its form and vegetation.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Brisbane City Council - City Assets Branch Conservation Management Study Stage 1 Report. November 2002
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised September 2020)