Shepparton Public Cemetery

Shepparton Public Cemetery Shepparton Public Cemetery has been serving the Goulburn Valley since 1876 and will continue to do so for many years

This is a family grave. I have recently had this plaque added to it. It was bare dirt - a family plot of six, and is o...
11/08/2026

This is a family grave. I have recently had this plaque added to it. It was bare dirt - a family plot of six, and is over 100 years old. I am very pleased with the result.

James and Caroline Doherty - early colonists and pioneers.

James - with three of his brothers, arrived in the Pinelodge area in the early 1870's as a free settler and took up the permitted 320 acres as did many other early settlers of the area. It was rough country- with no water and many trees. Life would have been very hard. The way to Shepparton was marked on trees so as not to get lost in the bush.. Shepparton had very few settlers at the time, - only 33 or so according to records.

James and Caroline had 13 children all of whom survived. James later purchased land and farmed at tank corner. The family were well respected in the area and many descendants are still spread throughout the Goulburn Valley today.

Jeanette

Alfred Leahy - 1840 - 1875 - died aged 35(Note- these dates obtained from newspaper articles at the time - however, t...
01/08/2026

Alfred Leahy - 1840 - 1875 - died aged 35
(Note- these dates obtained from newspaper articles at the time - however, the dates on the grave appear to differ)

Alfred was an early government surveyor. He surveyed Shepparton, laid it out in squares, planted a number of trees and was instrumental in having the railway extended to this town. When he arrived in the early 1870, Shepparton was part of Echuca Shire. Alfred submitted 3200 plans to separate the two.

He named Maude Street after his wife (Ellen Maude), Ashendon Street named for his wife's maiden name, and Harold Street after their son Harold, Corio Street was after Corio bay where he resided for a short time,, and Sobroan street was inspired by the name of a ship which brough many people to Australia, and of course we have Leahy Street..

He owned 845 acres, but being a generous man, when he heard the Roman Catholic community desired to erect a church, he readily gave them a good portion of land belonging to him in Knight street although himself not a member of that faith..

Alfred , also a councillor, did much to advance the general interests of Shepparton during his short life here.
Three months prior to his death, Alfred had an attack of paralysis from which he never recovered with pneumonia being the final cause of his untimely death.

Jeanette

This memorial is not in the Shepparton cemetery, but there is an interesting story attached.I was told that my great gre...
18/07/2026

This memorial is not in the Shepparton cemetery, but there is an interesting story attached.

I was told that my great great grandfather was buried in the Dunolly cemetery so hubbie and I decided to take a trip over and see if we could find his grave.
We found the old Dunolly cemetery and searched and searched but found nothing. Finally, as I was heading towards the gate, I stopped and called out to hubbie that perhaps there was no stone and it was time to leave.
For some reason, I looked down, and there, right beside my foot, was this headstone. It was flat on the ground and had broken off from the upright position.
What made me stop at the exact spot? What made me look down at the ground? It made me wonder. Was it chance, coincidence, luck, or was I drawn by some strange connection to family. It seemed rather odd.
Interestingly, my cousin had a similar experience whilst looking for a great uncle who had died in world war one. He was buried in one of those enormous memorial cemeteries in Europe. Cousin searched and searched to no avail. He finally stopped and called to his companion that it was impossible and time to go. With that, he too looked down and found he was standing right in front of the grave.
Some of you will have an opinion and this experience and I would love to hear your comments.

I was very pleased to find Great great grandfather Sheldrake and his wife, both early colonists and pioneers. They were not from Shepparton, but their daughter married and moved here in the early 1870's.
Rebecca Long (nee Sheldrake) Hence-- here I am

Jeanette

Sadly this headstone has fallen and is in a state of disrepair. Annie Coldwell -- 1840 - 1899A patient sufferer at res...
04/07/2026

Sadly this headstone has fallen and is in a state of disrepair.

Annie Coldwell -- 1840 - 1899
A patient sufferer at rest, wife of Mr.James Coldwell. Annie was invalided for the past fifteen years with chronic rheumatism.
The deceased, who was 59 years, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland and was married to Mr.Coldwell at Claugh in the same county. Her ancestors were farming families in the past, having followed that occupation for generations. They came to Victoria 40 years ago bringing with them two children.
Annie, in the heyday of their prosperity, contracted an attack of rheumatic fever which occurred about fifteen years ago. It became chronic and a fine strong constitution was reduced to that of a helpless invalid who never gained use of her limbs and was confined to her home. Gradually the disease overcame nature and the suffering one met the call of death peacefully. She leaves a family of six - Thomas, John and James and Mrs. Rennick, Mrs. Palmer and, Miss Lena Coldwell

James Coldwell (Jas) 1837 - 1900 - aged 63
The late Mr Coldwell, who was a very old resident, and prominent figure in the district, for several years engaged in farming and business pursuits in Tallygaroopna. He was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland and was a colonist of long standing. Originally he came with his father and brothers first settling at Geelong. He came to this district 30 years ago in the very early days when there were few buildings and the banker, baker and butcher from Mooroopna, with others , did business under a few sheets of bark.
He selected 320 acres which grew and thrived. He later conceived the notion of of building up a township at Tallygaroopna station. He entered into storekeeping, and built a hotel, mechanics institute and numerous other premises in the township.
Coming to Shepparton, he invested largely in town properties. He was a member of the Shire council, water trust and a JP. Many of our public institutions owe their existence to his support and advocacy.
He became ill whilst residing with his daughter Mrs. Brown of Edward Street and finally severe dysentery took him in the absence of a messenger to obtain medicine.

Two early colonists resting together

Jeanette

I will be taking a walk and tour of the historic Shepparton Public Cemetery during Seniors month in October. It is a fr...
16/06/2026

I will be taking a walk and tour of the historic Shepparton Public Cemetery during Seniors month in October. It is a free event and comfy walking shoes are required.
The date is Sunday morning October 18th commencing at eleven o'clock until twelve.
Address is Rudd Road Shepparton.
Enquiries to Jeanette 0455 998222

Edmund Leahy -- 1851 - 1937Shepparton district has lost another link with it's past with the sudden passing of Mr.Edmu...
03/06/2026

Edmund Leahy -- 1851 - 1937

Shepparton district has lost another link with it's past with the sudden passing of Mr.Edmund Leahy at his home "Finchley", Dot Street, Shepparton. He was 86 years of age and had been in the district for 63 years.
Born in County Tipperary, Ireland, he landed in Australia in 1868 and selected land in Congupna in 1874. He lived there until 1902 when he retired from farming activities and came to reside in Shepparton. He was the last of the original settlers of Congupna district. He petitioned the Bishop in 1887 for the creation of a Catholic Parish in Shepparton.
He was actively connected to the Shepparton Agricultural Society and a Government nominee on the Shepparton Shire Water Trust and a life member of the Mooroopna Hospital.
His wife Johanna English of Greta, whom he married in 1876 predeceased him 12 years ago.
His children were- John, Michael, Mary, Timothy, James, Edmund, Katerine and Patrick.
He was a kindly man and had a cheerful nature which made him many friends. The cortege was half a mile long.

Jeanette

Sad story of the two Halpin brothers.Thomas Kevin Halpin - 1907 - 1917Brian Francis Halpin - 1905 - 1917Double drownin...
11/04/2026

Sad story of the two Halpin brothers.

Thomas Kevin Halpin - 1907 - 1917
Brian Francis Halpin - 1905 - 1917

Double drowning fatality April 1917

On Saturday morning the sad news that Thomas Halpin aged 10 years and Brian Halpin aged 12 years, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Halpin of Corio Street, had been drowned in a clay hole in Tuttle's brick yards, Knight Street, cast quite a gloom on the citizens of Shepparton.
The boys, in company of their younger brother Bernard, aged 5, and a cousin, Gerald Thorne, with a dog, were returning from an errand to the bacon factory, and when coming through Mr. Tuttle's brick yards they stopped at the water hole and were throwing sticks into the water for the dog to fetch out. The water hole is about a chain wide , a chain long and around 30 feet deep. The younger of the deceased stepped onto a floating plank which slid from under him and he fell into the water. His brother immediately jumped in after him, but neither could swim and as they were splashing about the boy Thorne, who could swim a little, also jumped in but the two boys had sunk before he could reach them. Thorne, who was fully dressed, with difficulty, managed to get out. He then called for help and Mr R, Chanter who was working in his garden nearby heard the cries and ran across to the hole, but the boys were gone from sight. Being unable to swim, Mr. Chanter went for the police who arrived with equipment, dragged the hole, and recovered the bodies which by this time had been under water for about half an hour. First aid methods were applied for some time until Dr. McKenna, who had been called, pronounced the boys deceased.

The funeral left the church and the altar boys (of which the deceased were members) and children of the school marched beside the hearse..

Note-- It's interesting to see the name on the grave adjoining is not Brian or Bryan -- but Marlan. Cemetery Records show that these are the two brothers concerned. I think the two boys are in the very same grave together.

Jeanette

Stanley Walton Konig - 1917 - 1991A very well known local. Stan was born in Shepparton and raised on an orchard. He be...
15/03/2026

Stanley Walton Konig - 1917 - 1991
A very well known local.

Stan was born in Shepparton and raised on an orchard. He became a mechanic and when war broke out he joined up to do his bit. Because of his trade, he was quickly transferred to the Maribrynong Ordinance Works where they made items for the war. He then trained as a turner and fitter and eventually made anti-aircraft guns. It was a dangerous place to work because of all the explosives. Accuracy in the making was paramount as the setting on the guns had to be pinpoint accurate so that the shells exploded at exactly the set range and height. Many years later when visiting Darwin, Stan was thrilled to see one of the guns that he had made there on display.
Stand loved flying and after the war became a part owner of a tiger moth. There were no licences then and he recalled landing in Gawne's paddock at Ardmona - first having to make sure that the sheep in the paddock scattered to allow them to land. He later obtained his pilots licence and enjoyed flying small planes around the area.

Stan returned to Shepparton in 1947 and opened up an engineering business in High Street which he ran for 30 years. He rented his premises from John McNeill on a hand shake. No paperwork at all. Just and handshake!
Later on he purchased a block and shed on the corner of Benalla Rd and Lockwood Road which was previously a cordial factory. He started up and engineering business which grew and prospered for 30 to 40 years. Many will remember this. Orchard sprayers were manufactured on the site and they were agents for many different types of farming and orchard equipment.

When the business was sold - the new owners eventually moved further out on Benalla Road where they are today. They retained the good name of S.W.Konig

Stan raised a family of four children and is resting with his wife Wilga.

Thankyou to family member Bill who relayed this information for me to work with

This is a very recent addition to the Shepparton cemetery. It is the magnificent Copulos family monument erected by the ...
13/02/2026

This is a very recent addition to the Shepparton cemetery. It is the magnificent Copulos family monument erected by the Copulos family. Peter Copulos is a migrant who arrived in Shepparton with his family as a young boy. Peter came from very humble beginnings and later became a very successful business man. The Copulos family have been very generous to the Shepparton area with many many large donations to various organizations.

Not all lived a long life.This is little Maureen Francis Doherty who only lived for 14 months. 1937 to 1938Daughter of F...
07/01/2026

Not all lived a long life.
This is little Maureen Francis Doherty who only lived for 14 months.
1937 to 1938
Daughter of Frank and Myrtle Doherty.
Little Maureen developed menangitis which was fatal. He mum was pregnant with her next child when this happened but went on to have 3 more children..
This basic little gravestone was done by family members quite a few years ago.

Jeanette

Address

5 Rudd Road
Shepparton, VIC
3630

Telephone

0358 212289

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