Historical information

Plaque in the memorial to still born babies at Eltham cemetery, Mt Pleasant Road, Eltham which lies under the trees on the west side of cemetery. The plaque within a garden bed states:
“Cherished, but not cradled. This small garden is adjacent to a communal gravesite for stillborn babies, or those who died soon after birth. They were all born and /or died at Queen Victoria Medical Centre and buried between March 1979 and April 1986.”
The landscaping was funded by Stillborn and Neonatal death Support (SANDS) Vic. Members. It also initially had a low wooden seat in place. (No longer in place April 2022)
The Queen Victoria Medical Centre itself was founded in 1896 and at the time was one of only three hospitals worldwide founded, managed and staffed by women. The Centre has since merged and amalgamated with the Monash Medical Centre.
Records in EDHS files also indicate that the communal burial sites within Eltham Cemetery was also for bodies that were donated for science.

Significance

Tomorrow's history documented today

Physical description

Born digital