Boroondara Cemetery, Springthorpe Memorial

440 High Street KEW, BOROONDARA CITY

Barrington Avenue Precinct, Kew

All information on this page is maintained by Boroondara City. Click below for their website and contact details.

Boroondara City

City of Kew Urban Conservation Study 1988

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Physical Description 1

    Boroondara Cemetery, Springthorpe Memorial - Physical Description 1

    Originally set aside for reserve purposes, a portion of a triangle of land situated almost in the centre of Kew, was proclaimed the Boroondara Cemetery in 1859[16] The planning of the cemetery was carried out by J.F. Higgins of the Lands Department[17] and the first burial, at what was later to become one of Melbourne's historic landmarks, noted particulary for its memorials, took place on 12 March 1859[18].

    Dr John Springthorpe commissioned this memorial to be built for his wife, Annie, who died in January 1897[19]. Likened to a classic Greek doric temple[20], the marble sculpting of the tomb was carried out by Benram McKennal[21] while the iron sculpture was executed by Webb Gilbe[22] An article in the Argus at the time considered the memorial to be '...the most beautiful work of its kind in Australia ...'[23] The memorial is scholarly in its design, exciting in the use of a variety of materials, and beautifully executed. The materials adopted in the work include the Ionian order columns executed in black, Labrador granite [24], grey granite to the entablatures and pediments, wrought iron on the balustradings, vibrantly coloured leadlight to the domed ceiling and mosaics and encaustic tiles to the floor. In addition to the temple form of the memorial itself, it was given an impressive entrance way that remains substantially intact, built in grey granite with metal plaques and gate.

    References --

    1 Clerehan, N., 'Three Tombs', in Historic Environment, Yol.2, NoA, 1982, p.23

    2 ibid.

    3 Barnard, F.G.A., The Jubilee History of Kew, p.l04

    4 ibid.

    5 ibid.

    6 Clerehan, op.cit., p.28

    7 National Trust of Aust.(Yic), 'Historic Buildings Documentation- Springthorpe Memorial', held in

    File No.1556

    8 HBC, 'Amendment of Register of Historic Buildings - Springthorpe Memorial', 30 March 1982, held

    in file No.81!184

    9 National Trust of Aust.rVic). loc.cit.

    10 Argus, 26 March 1933, quoted in HBC, ibid.

    11 Clerehan op. cit., p.26

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Boroondara - City of Kew Urban Conservation Study

    Author: Pru Sanderson Design Pty Ltd
    Year: 1988
    Grading: A

• Attachments
  • City of Kew Urban Conservation Study 1988
    
• Location map
• Explore related places
  • Show:
    -- select -- Nearby Places Similar style

  • 
    XAVIER COLLEGE

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H0893
  • 
    D'ESTAVILLE

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H0201
  • 
    SPRINGTHORPE MEMORIAL, BOROONDARA GENERAL CEMETERY

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H0522

  • 
    "1890"

    

    Yarra City
  • 
    "AMF Officers" Shed

    

    Moorabool Shire
  • 
    "AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOL

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H1687
• Public contributions