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.
More information about the management of the Memorial Cross >
‘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.