Location
Located at 9168 Castlereagh Highway, Cudgegong, latitude -32.798008 longitude 149.8111421
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Description
Heritage NSW state inventory gives the following description of Cudgegong Cemetery:
The Cudgegong General Cemetery is situated on a picturesque site on the edge of a mountain, with the graves overlooking valley, the Windemere Dam and distant hills. The cemetery and surrounding area contain scattered remnants of native vegetation, which included eucalypts and acacias. The designated area is large and is entered through a standard stock wire gate situated in the centre of the western boundary. The fence is star picket, concrete post, wire mesh and barbed wire. There are also two large pine trees on the western side of the cemetery. The cemetery is divided into five distinct groups, possibly denominational groups. Most graves fact east, except for a small group which faces south-east. Two headstones are Gothic sandstone stelae and are set upright in a concrete slab with a plaque inscribed: The Water Resources Commission, with the consent of surviving relatives, relocated the headstones at this site, to perpetuate the memory of persons interred in the Anglican Churchyard at Cudgegong, now inundated by the storage of Windemere Dam. Materials used in the cemetery include: Sandstone, of which there are 21 headstones 1868-1924 (only one after 1909) including an 1899 round pillar. Marble, 15 stelae and ledgers (1894-1929, only one before 1905), two obelisk dated 1898 and 1899 and 16 tablets, mainly on concrete ledgers (1892-1965). Granite, 5 ledgers and stelae (2 pink and one black) dated 1940-47. Grey Terrazzo makes up 4 graves (1938-52). Memorial surrounds include remnants of timber (2 dated 1908 and 1927); 8 of wrought iron (1885-1913); 6 of cast iron (1881-1923), one of ceramic edging tiles (1927) and only one other of ceramic tiles (1961). Masons are Acton of Mudgee, Reynolds, W Larcombe of Dubbo and Macquarie Valley Funerals. Families within the cemetery include 11 Oldfields, 5 Sheppards, 8 Rhodes, 6 Hardings, 13 Perrams and 7 Jennings2 .
Statement of Significance
The Statement of Significance is as follows:
The Cudgegong General Cemetery contains a diverse range of nineteenth and twentieth century monuments. Individually notable monuments include a number of finely carved sandstone stelae with wreath or floral motifs; a draped sandstone stele and an unusual sandstone column with unfurled scroll. The survival of a wide range of grave furniture is also a significant feature of the cemetery. This includes two examples (and other remnants) of timber picket enclosures, good examples of intact cast and wrough iron surrounds, ceramic edging tiles, and immortelles. (from nominators)3
1916
6 July 1916
Cudgegong Cemetery
ALLEGED DELAPIDATED CONDITION
(To the Editor.)
Sir, - Some of the residents in the vicinity of the Cudgegong Cemetery have asked me to write a public protest against the trespass of sheep and cattle in that ground. On one occasion a lady went to attend her relatives grave - by way of cleaning off stray weeds - and had to clear off cattle also, and counted no less than 21 head peacefully grazing in various parts of the grounds. The gate from an adjoining paddock was wide open. Of course, the fence, too, I must add, is in a ''tumble down state." — I am, etc., CITIZEN4
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1923
4 March 1923
CUDGEGONG CEMETERY
Public Meeting to be Called
MUDGEE, Saturday.
As a result of the agitation arising out of the disgraceful condition of the old cemeteries at Cudgegong, the Cudgegong Municipal Council has decided to call a public meeting to discuss the question, and to ask the Rev. S. Bostock Jones (who is attending the Methodist Conference in Sydney) to interview the Minister for Lands5
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1933
21 December 1933
CEMETERY TRUSTEES
THE 'Government Gazette' announces the appointment of the following as trustees of the portion of the General Cemetery at Cudgegong, dedicated 30th July, 1875, set apart for Presbyterian Burial Ground: Messrs Wallace Johnstone Caughey and Cecil James Cox (in the places of Messrs J. P. Dickson and W. R. Gillespie, deceased). The Minister of the Charge has been appointed as an additional trustee6
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References