Greta Cemetery Trust -Victoria

17/07/2026

01/05/2026

Thanks to the Wangaratta Chronicle for always supporting us.

24/04/2026

Today we came together in a smaller, but still committed and supportive community group to commemorate the service and in some cases, the supreme sacrifice made by members of the Greta Hansonville district across all theatres of war.

Unfortunately the Greta Valley Primary School were unable to attend at the very last minute, however, the work completed by the students in researching the veterans whom we commemorate at the cemetery is on display at each grave- along with a flag and poppy.

We thank all who attended and make this a special occasion.

Our thanks to State Member for Ovens, Mr Tim McCurdy MP, RCOW Counsellor Harry Bussell, Ms Liz Rouse representing the Wangaratta RSL for attending.

Formal apologies were received from Federal Member for Indi, Ms Helen Haines and RCOW Mayor Mrs Irene Grant.

One of the memorable quotes of the day (and there are many) came from Bryan Delaney, son of Trooper Hugh Delaney. Standing by his grave Bryan said Dad said to me ‘I’m not just your Dad, I’m your best mate’.

Once again thank you to all the combined committee.

23/04/2026

All is in readiness for our Anzac Service tomorrow.

We are all looking forward to welcoming our visitors.

13/03/2026

Good morning everyone

Please see the attached flyer which serves as the official invite to the annual Anzac Service at the Greta Public Cemetery on Friday 24 April.

This year due to the Greta Hansonvill Hall being closed for repairs, refreshments will be provided at the Cemetery after the service.

23/12/2025

On behalf of the Greta Cemetery Trust we wish all a very safe Christmas and New Year.

We remember those who have gone before us and are no longer with us across the holidays.

We know many will be paying a special visit to loved ones across the next days and week.

The Cemetery is open 24 hours a day, all year around for visitors.

11/11/2025

Mounted Constable John Alexander Duff
15 June 1845 - 11 November 1871.

Constable John Alexander Duff was a mounted Trooper at Greta in 1871, his Officer in Charge was Constable Ernest Flood.

He was single, however had brothers and sisters alive.

On the morning of 11 November 1871, Constable Duff left the Greta police station on the Fifteen Mile Creek, to go about regular duties in the district, including a stop to collect the mail.

Witnesses reported that on the south side of the Fifteen Mile Creek Constable Duff went to mount his horse, however it began bucking and his foot was entangled in the stirrup iron.

Horribly, he was kicked and dragged for quite a distance.

Constable Flood found his body on the other side of the creek and bridge after the horse galloped back to the station.

Constable Duff’s body was taken back to the station and as per protocol the Doctor was sent for (from Wangaratta).

His body remained at the police station until he’s buried two days later in what was an unmarked grave until 2019, when his extended family were present for the unveiling and dedication of a headstone.

We remember a young man lost.

Fatal Accident at Greta. —

We regret to have to record the death by accident on Saturday last of Mounted Constable John Alexander Duff, stationed at Greta. From the particulars as yet received we gather that soon after the deceased had mounted his horse, the animal became restive, and danced about so as to partially unseat his rider, and before Duff could recover himself, began to buck so violently that the unfortunate man was thrown to the ground, one foot, however, resting on the stirrup.

The horse bolted,
dragging poor Duff for some distance, and then kicked him so violently about the face and neck as to cause almost immediate death.

An inquest will, as a matter of form be held, we believe to-day, but there can be no donbt of the facts.

Duff had not been very long in the force, but he was a very active and zealous officer, and was thought very highly of by his superiors.

He was a single man, and his parents reside at Mia Mia Creek, near Heathcote.

1. John Alexander Duff personnel record, courtesy Victoria Police Museum.

2. Headstone photo, courtesy of Noeleen Lloyd

3. Newspaper - Ovens and Murray Advertiser Tuesday 14 November 1871, p2.

10/11/2025

In 1918 at the 11th hour of the 11th month the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front after more than four years of fighting.

From the Australian War Memorial

‘Although comparatively small in numbers, Australia’s losses from the war were heavy for a nation of just 4.9 million. In round figures, the combined total of all Australian armed forces sent overseas during the war was about 340,000, of whom 331,000 served in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).

Around 213,000 members of the AIF became battle casualties during the conflict: almost 54,000 died, 4,000 were taken prisoner, and 155,000 were wounded.

The nature of their wounds ranged from minor to severe, and while most recovered to rejoin their units or at least remain in service of one kind or another, a significant portion were not fit to continue.

When repatriation of the Australian Imperial Force was completed in 1920, 264,000 men and women had returned to Australia, of whom 151,000 were deemed “fit”, and 113,000 “unfit”. Many had returned throughout the war, beginning in 1915 with those suffering from disease and injuries; then as fighting on Gallipoli, Sinai–Palestine and the Western Front progressed, the wounded began steadily returning home as well.’

Today we remember all those who have served throughout the years.

Those who paid the supreme sacrifice.

Those who returned.

Those who continue to serve.

We remember those men and women in our Greta Cemtery.

Photo- Australian National Memorial Villers Brettoneux France (Noeleen Lloyd 2025)