Who lies in historic burials site at Helensburgh Cemetery?
Improvements have been made but some mysteries remain, writes Helensburgh & District Historical Society researcher Jenny Donohoe
The Helensburgh General Cemetery’s original entrance, after some five years of being fenced off due to the collapse of the portico, is now open.
Council has taken away the collapsed building and replaced the entrance with a new road and freshly laid grass. This is just the start, as a new stone structure and fencing will soon be erected to complete the entranceway.
It has been a long haul, but we had new signage erected late last year identifying historic areas within the cemetery.
A memorial seat has been erected near the stillborn babies’ section.
Our member, Shelley Cottom, has been updating the Helensburgh Cemetery Register and made lots of changes to this document. Also, Shelley helped update council’s cemetery map, which wasn’t very clear about the section rows. This new map is excellent and will be so useful when trying to find burials.
Helensburgh Cemetery still has a lot of unknown burials. We do know many of them could be in the very old sections from 4 to 8 on the southern end, in all the bush that has regenerated after fires. We propose to erect a sign indicating this section as a site of ‘historic burials’.
We would like to hear from anyone who knows who may be buried there. Old cemetery photos are welcome too.
Contact info@historichelensburgh.org.au or visit the website.
Fundraising Raffle at Open Day: 28 November
The society's Old Mine Surgery Open Day and book sale will be held on Saturday, 28 November 2026, 10am-1pm.
All welcome. Great bargains on local history books for Christmas presents. Purchase tickets to our raffle of a painting by local artist Deb Bishop. Listen to Jenny Donohoe, author of Murders and Misadventures, talk about her new book at 12 noon. Then at 12.30 we will draw the raffle.
Tour Dr Cox’s 1935 surgery, check out the updated Cemetery register and the Pioneer Register, view historical photos of Helensburgh and its buildings and people. Join up as a member for added benefits and to help us preserve local history. The Old Mine Surgery Museum is 78 Parkes St, Helensburgh.
Visit the society's website for more information.
Correction: The Illawarra Flame's November print edition had the wrong date for the society's open day. Apologies for this error.
