This is a walking tour through the heritage areas of Rookwood Cemetery, the largest in the southern hemisphere, and is hosted by the Friends of Rookwood. The cemetery has been operating since 1867, with over a million interments to this day. This tour provides a snapshot into Sydney’s 19th century history, where you will hear a wide range of stories of those who have been buried here. Victorian funerary decoration and symbolism abounds in the area visited, and it includes many monuments moved from the Devonshire Street Cemetery.
Tour Leader
Geoff Bovard, the tour leader, has been volunteering with the Friends of Rookwood for five years, and has been leading tours for the Friends for two years. He has been a SAG member since 2007, and is an active Assistant in the SAG Library, as well as the convenor of the Society’s IT Committee. His interests include Australian, English, Irish and Scottish family history.
The Friends of Rookwood
The Friends of Rookwood is a non-profit organisation with the aims of promoting the interests of Rookwood Necropolis; promoting public awareness of the social, historical and cultural aspects of Rookwood Necropolis and cemeteries in general; and raising funds and providing voluntary assistance for restoration projects within Rookwood.
On the Day
Tour attendees should meet at 10 AM at the café located on the corner of Memorial Avenue and Necropolis Drive, just inside the Strathfield Gates of the cemetery via Weeroona Road.
Please note: Each tour lasts for approx. 3 hours and includes about 3km of walking. Participants should wear comfortable closed toe walking shoes (e.g. joggers or hiking boots) and bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
Please register by 10:00 AM on Friday 11 October if you plan on attending.
