ABOUT THE MOUNT MACEDON WAR MEMORIAL CROSS
The Mount Macedon War Memorial Cross is a heritage-listed war memorial at 405 Cameron Drive, Mount Macedon, Macedon Ranges Shire, Victoria, Australia.
It was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register on 1 September 1994.
The Mount Macedon Memorial Cross is located on the traditional land of the Wurundjeri people.
The Mount Macedon War Memorial Cross was planned and constructed for local landowner William Cameron. In addition to desiring to honour the war dead of World War I, Cameron wanted to create employment during the Great Depression.
On Saturday 16 March 1935, the Victorian Premier, Stanley Argyle, officially dedicated the memorial to the Australian service people killed in the First World War. Over 400 people attended the ceremony despite the bitter wind and rain. The monument and surrounding gardens cost approximately £30,000 which was paid by William Cameron except for £200 contributed by Gisborne Shire Council.
Over the years the cross withstood lightning strikes and bushfires. After the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, it became for many a symbol of courage and survival. Eventually, however, the cross's internal steel structure weakened and was assessed as being at risk of falling down.
After a number of years of planning, the monument was replaced with a visually identical replica in 1995. The cost of the new cross was met by the Grollo family and the new cross was rededicated in 1995 by the National President of the Returned and Services League Bruce Ruxton, OBE.
The War Memorial Cross is located in a reserve near the summit of Mount Macedon and is reached by a 4 km access road.
The cross is 21 m high with a 4.3 m plinth and rests on a circular base 12 m in diameter. It can be seen from a great distance from the plains below the mountain.
A tablet on the monument has the words“To the glory of God and in memory of Australia's sons, 1914-1918. Death cannot rob them of their glory nor time efface the memory of their gallant deeds.”
The Mount Macedon War Memorial Cross is considered Victoria's most significant war memorial after the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
Management of the Cross
The Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Reserve Committee of Management is a Crown Land Committee of Management responsible for the care, maintenance, restoration, and management of the Mt Macedon Memorial Cross and its surrounding reserve in Macedon Regional Park, Victoria.
The Committee of Management is a volunteer group and comprises local residents, veterans, and representatives of Parks Victoria and Macedon Ranges Shire. The area of responsibility is a reserve that extends from the gatehouse (‘lych gate’) to the commemoration area and the Cross. It also includes the Major Mitchell lookout.
The Committee of Management is a separate entity from the Mt Macedon ANZAC Day Dawn Service committee.
The Macedon Regional Park is managed by Parks Victoria and has some great walking tracks through breath taking scenery.
More information about the management of the Memorial Cross
Mt Macedon ANZAC Day Dawn Service Committee
About us
The Mt Macedon Dawn Service is conducted annually by a volunteer Committee.
The committee raise the funds required to deliver the service each year.
Thank you to our sponsors and the community for their ongoing support.
‘And midst all the tears, flag-waving and cheers, we sailed off to Gallipoli...’
Views of Mt Macedon Memorial Cross by Paul J Martin set to Eric Bogle’s iconic song.