Roman Catholic section at north of Melbourne General Cemetery 52/12/1, a photo by Collingwood Historical Society on Flickr.
This photo is part of the Flickr Friday Photo group under the theme of “Cemeteries”.
The municipality of Collingwood does not have a cemetery within its boundaries. As a result of this those connected with Collingwood are most commonly buried in either the Melbourne General Cemetery in neighbouring Carlton to the west or at the Boroondara Cemetery to the east in Kew.
The photograph shows the Roman Catholic section at the north of the Melbourne General Cemetery. Unfortunately the cemetery website is currently “under development” so we can’t show any specific graves with Collingwood connections. But we do know that there were Catholics in Collingwood from early days as is evidenced by the early establishment of St Joseph’s in Otter Street. A number of hoteliers were Catholic and some had memorial glass in St Joseph’s. Most likely they would have been buried here.
One interesting Collingwood character whom we do know to be buried here is Eliza “Granny” Foster who probably staked John Wren when he first set up the Tote. She certainly owned the property. When she died in July 1913, Wren’s refusal to accept her estate made headlines. “Granny” Foster died in Hodgkinson Street Clifton Hill and was buried in Melbourne General Cemetery.
Was granny Eliza Foster (my great great grandmother) a Roman Catholic?
Her grandson (my grandfather, Ben Kay) was an aethiest.
I have paper copies of all the properties she owned when she died, and that was perplexing to see because my grandfather was reared by his grandmother in abject poverty .
Hi Wanda, Eliza Foster is certainly buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Melbourne General Cemetery, so that would indicate that she identified with that religion. You could search further records such as marriages to see where they were performed.
A bit away from the information you are seeking but I have an interest in 44 Hodgkinson Street Clifton Hill where Eliza died.
My grandfather purchased the property in the early 1920’s. Seeking a photo of the property.
Did Eliza own 44 Hodgkinson Street? One of my cousins thought that John Wren had owned it.
Any info you might have would be most welcome.
Hi Michael, I believe Eliza Foster James probably owned the property as she owned a number that are itemised in her probate after she died in 1913. You see the probate online at the Public Record Office of Victoria (PROV). The properties are not identified by street names though. So you would need to identify them through the legal terminology or you could look at the City of Collingwood Ratebooks for 1913 which as also at PROV. If she did own the house, it as all her property was left to John Wren, who refused the legacy and transferred it to Eliza’s children. If you have any further questions, you can ask us via the Contact us section of the website. Anne Holmes Secretary