Barrabool Hills (Highton)  

Geelong Cemetery

On the 10th November 1855 a meeting was held at the "Race Course" hotel, Ceres, to discuss the establishment of a cemetery.

Early settlers had established vineyards, sheep farms, quarrying and cropping. Of the 220 original families to settle the area, 52 (almost a quarter) came from the south western counties of England (Devon, Cornwell, and Somerset); 48 from the other English counties, 36 from Switzerland; 24 from Scotland and 60 from Ireland.

The Trust applied for a Government grant which enabled a Sexton's office to be built, fences and gates erected and insurance against bushfires! No doubt the horror of Black Thursday 1850, still fresh in residents' minds!

Cemetery Motto - 1855  "Our God is the God of Salvation And unto God the Lord, Belong the Issues from Death"