We were lost but now are found … old fashioned signage has made all the difference at
Phillip Island Cemetery.
Phillip Island Cemetery.
By Pamela Rothfield
DESPITE the peaceful beauty of the Phillip Island Cemetery, finding a loved one’s resting place could be surprisingly difficult. On paper, it sounds like a straightforward problem, but in reality, standing in the middle of 25 acres, with more than 150 years of burials, and a layout formed long before modern surveying principles … locating a grave was often a bit of an adventure.
Historically, the cemetery was divided into six religious sections. Each of these was further broken into 16 subsections, each containing up to 44 burial plots. Of course, burials began decades before anyone thought to formalise where the rows should go. So, while many sites line up beautifully, others … let’s just say they have “character”.
DESPITE the peaceful beauty of the Phillip Island Cemetery, finding a loved one’s resting place could be surprisingly difficult. On paper, it sounds like a straightforward problem, but in reality, standing in the middle of 25 acres, with more than 150 years of burials, and a layout formed long before modern surveying principles … locating a grave was often a bit of an adventure.
Historically, the cemetery was divided into six religious sections. Each of these was further broken into 16 subsections, each containing up to 44 burial plots. Of course, burials began decades before anyone thought to formalise where the rows should go. So, while many sites line up beautifully, others … let’s just say they have “character”.
Over time we developed an online interactive map, which was a great step and has been used by families, genealogists, historians and the curious. Sitting at home with a digital map on a laptop is one thing – standing in an older part of the cemetery where some graves are unmarked, leaning or hidden among old plantings is another entirely.
"Burials began decades before anyone thought to formalise where the rows should go."
We installed internal road signage, which improved things, but once you stepped off the roadway you could still find yourself in the middle of hundreds of graves with very little to guide you.
It became clear that what we needed was permanent section signage clearly identifying where each portion of the cemetery begins and ends so visitors could confidently navigate their way to the correct location.
This couldn’t be just any signage. The cemetery is a heritage site, and many families have deep emotional, cultural and historical connections to it. Bright signs, shiny steel or modern font styles would have looked completely out of place.
After considerable research – visiting every cemetery we passed, home and abroad – we established a design and located a foundry in Dandenong capable of producing cast iron signage, something durable, dignified and in keeping with the age and character of the cemetery. Each sign is roughly the size of a steering wheel, mounted on a single upright post, and clearly displays the section number on both sides.
The challenge was cost. We worked out that if we paid for the signs slowly out of our modest annual surplus – after covering critical maintenance, compliance requirements, and operational needs – it would take a number of years to complete the project. It was a worthwhile ambition but realistically it was going to be a slow, incremental process.
It became clear that what we needed was permanent section signage clearly identifying where each portion of the cemetery begins and ends so visitors could confidently navigate their way to the correct location.
This couldn’t be just any signage. The cemetery is a heritage site, and many families have deep emotional, cultural and historical connections to it. Bright signs, shiny steel or modern font styles would have looked completely out of place.
After considerable research – visiting every cemetery we passed, home and abroad – we established a design and located a foundry in Dandenong capable of producing cast iron signage, something durable, dignified and in keeping with the age and character of the cemetery. Each sign is roughly the size of a steering wheel, mounted on a single upright post, and clearly displays the section number on both sides.
The challenge was cost. We worked out that if we paid for the signs slowly out of our modest annual surplus – after covering critical maintenance, compliance requirements, and operational needs – it would take a number of years to complete the project. It was a worthwhile ambition but realistically it was going to be a slow, incremental process.
The signage had to be in keeping with the heritage value of the cemetery.
Thanks to a major grant of $10,000 from the Bass Coast Shire Council community grants program, what could have taken years has instead moved forward dramatically. We have now completed the majority of the signage. The impact has been immediate.
Visitors can now navigate the cemetery confidently. Families have commented that it has made their visits easier and more meaningful. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, not only because the signage improves wayfinding, but because it respects the heritage and atmosphere of the cemetery.
This project has changed the experience of the cemetery in a practical and subtle way, without disrupting the quiet dignity of the space.
It has also been a tremendous boost for our small Trust. As volunteers, we manage compliance, burials, maintenance, gardening, administration, and community enquiries. We do it because we believe the cemetery is more than just a place of rest, it’s a tangible record of community history.
Cemeteries hold stories, not only of loss, but of belonging. They are part of the living history of our community. The early settlers who helped build this region, the families who shaped its future and the individuals who left their mark are part of our shared landscape. By caring for our cemeteries, we help keep those stories visible and ensure a stronger connection between present-day residents and generations of island history.
Pamela Rothfield is secretary of the Phillip Island Cemetery Trust. This is an edited version of her presentation to the 2025 Bass Coast Community Grants Celebration.
Visitors can now navigate the cemetery confidently. Families have commented that it has made their visits easier and more meaningful. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, not only because the signage improves wayfinding, but because it respects the heritage and atmosphere of the cemetery.
This project has changed the experience of the cemetery in a practical and subtle way, without disrupting the quiet dignity of the space.
It has also been a tremendous boost for our small Trust. As volunteers, we manage compliance, burials, maintenance, gardening, administration, and community enquiries. We do it because we believe the cemetery is more than just a place of rest, it’s a tangible record of community history.
Cemeteries hold stories, not only of loss, but of belonging. They are part of the living history of our community. The early settlers who helped build this region, the families who shaped its future and the individuals who left their mark are part of our shared landscape. By caring for our cemeteries, we help keep those stories visible and ensure a stronger connection between present-day residents and generations of island history.
Pamela Rothfield is secretary of the Phillip Island Cemetery Trust. This is an edited version of her presentation to the 2025 Bass Coast Community Grants Celebration.