NATION BUILDERS

Australians, rise! Why longer wait
While parliaments prolong debate
On themes that new dissensions breed?

Arrest this paltry party strife
That bars us from the larger life,
And panders to provincial greed.
Australians, rise! No longer wait,
Unfurl the Flag and Federate.

Federation song by Henry F. Rix

These are the stories of more than 35 people buried in St Kilda General Cemetery. Most participated directly in the events that led to federation; others show important aspects of the building of the Australian nation.

Each story is one piece in an historical jigsaw. Put them all together and the general picture emerges of a new generation entering the twentieth century with growing confidence, awareness and pride despite inherited divisions of religion, politics, class and race.

As we enter another century and a new millennium, much of this picture seems eerily familiar. History is about our present and future, not only about our past. The road we have traveled as a country now extends before us with few signposts apart from the lessons of our forebears. They have much to teach us. This book is dedicated to all those who dare to dream, take risks and challenge their fate in any era.

--- Select One ---

ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA
ALLEN, Arthur & Lorna
ASTON, Matilda ‘Tilly’ Ann
BENNETT, James
BROOKES, Herbert and Ivy
COWDEROY, Benjamin
DEAKIN, Alfred
DUFFY, John Gavan
EAKES/ANDERSON
GRAHAM, Edward Joseph
HADDON, Frederick William
HOAD, Sir John Charles
HODGSON, Caroline
HOLROYD, Sir Edward Dundas
JACKA Albert
JENSEN, Jens August
KERFERD, George Briscoe
McKINLEY, Alexander
MICHIE, Sir Archibald
MITCHELL, Sir Edward Fancourt
MULQUIN, Katherine
MUNRO, James
O’LOGHLEN, Sir Bryan
PANTON, Joseph
PARSONS, Elizabeth
PASCO, Crawford
PITT, William
REDE, Robert
RENTOUL, Laurence John
SARGOOD, Sir Frederick
SAWERS, John
SMITH, Robert Murray
ST. LEDGER, Anthony James Joseph
STEWARD, Sir George Charles Thomas
STONES, Emily, Constance and Clara
The Glen Huntly Memorial
TURNER, Sir George
VON MUELLER, Baron Sir Ferdinand