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MOUNT MACEDON MEMORIAL CROSS
The Cross was the brain-child of Mr William Cameron, a businessman living in Mount Macedon. His purpose in building the Cross was two-fold - to be a permanent memorial to the Australian soldiers who died in World War 1 and as well during the construction, to provide work for the unemployed of the district during the great depression of the early 1930’s. The structure was a steel frame covered with specially made tiles by Wunderlich of Melbourne. It was thirty one metres in height. The Cross was dedicated in 1935 by the then Premier, Sir Stanley Argyle. William Cameron not only provided the inspiration and the determination to follow up his plans for the Cross but provided funds for a new road into the site - now called Cameron Drive and funds for its future maintenance. A very attractive garden was also created by Mr. Cameron around the Cross and along the entrance path with extensive terracing and a water supply for the planted trees and shrubs. Unfortunately time, weather and fire wrought its toll over the succeeding half century or so. The Cross was hit by lightning in 1975 which damaged the tile cladding and allowed the entry of water which commenced a corrosion process on the structural steel core. It was then hit by the 1983 Ash Wednesday fire which completely destroyed all the surrounding garden and native forest of snow gums. The Cross and surroundings remained in a largely derelict condition for about another decade until Trustees were appointed by the Victorian Government in 1994 to arrange and oversee the construction of a new Cross. This was accomplished by 1995 when a new Cross was dedicated by the then Governor Mr. Richard McGarvie AC. It is of the same dimensions as the original Cross but constructed of stainless steel reinforced concrete with the exterior simulating the tiles of the original Cross. The funds for the new Cross were almost all provided by the general public with some "seeding" money from the Government to assist the public appeal process. The biggest single donor by far was the Grollo family which carried out the Cross construction free of charge as a gift for the people of Victoria. The Cross and the surrounding garden has been restored together with the surrounding rock work and once again forms a great public attraction. Some 250,000 people now visit the Cross each year and enjoy the magnificent views in several directions and appreciate the inspiration of our forefathers and pay tribute to the Australian Armed Services from all Wars, who fought for the freedom of their country. |
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Created:
28th, May,1999 |
The Memorial Cross at Mount Macedon stands
on a high point of the Macedon Ranges about 1000 metres
above sea level and 65 kilometres northwest of Melbourne.
Mount Macedon was discovered and named by Major Mitchell
on his journey from Sydney in 1836. He expected to see
Port Phillip Bay from this commanding position and was
not disappointed.