The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust

03/06/2026

Working closely with First Nations families during Sorry Business and caring for Country is a deep privilege and responsibility.

That’s why we’re so proud to be acknowledging National Reconciliation Week with the launch our new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.

The launch brought together Elders, community members and staff for songs and yarns by the fire with Uncle Kutcha Edwards, Jason Tamiru, Jay Jerome and Candice Lorrae.

The event also gave us the opportunity to unveil Home — a beautiful piece by Wadawurrung Bagurrk artist Alisha Fagan that now graces the cover of our new RAP.

This year's theme is All In. For us, that means continuing to listen, learn and walk alongside community as we care for places that hold deep meaning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To read our Innovate RAP and follow us as we continue to embed reconciliation into everything we do at GMCT, visit: https://www.gmct.com.au/reconciliation-action-plan

Photo credit: Savannah van der Niet

02/06/2026

We’re very excited to welcome seven new members to our Community Advisory Committee.

Selected from a range of high-quality applicants, our new members bring a diverse mix of faith and culture perspectives, strong community connections, and broad networks across Melbourne.

In the coming weeks, we’ll post more about each member so you can get to know the people representing you on the Community Advisory Committee.

In the meantime, join us in welcoming Fred Ackerman, Essan Dileri, Amad Kazi, Maria Martins, Ameen Soliman, Sean Spencer and Johanna Waibuca

L-R: Amad Kazi, Stephanie Longmuir, Fred Ackerman, Tracy Helman, Bianca Crocker, Katerina Angelopoulos, Tarang Chawla, Maria Martins, Essan Dileri, Joanna Waibuca

Not present: Sean Spencer, Ameen Soliman, Michelle Sheppard, Aunty Eva-Jo Edwards

To learn more about the Community Advisory Committee, visit: https://gmct.com.au/news/seven-new-community-voices-appointed-to-the-community-advisory-committee

01/06/2026

Grief can feel isolating. Sometimes it helps to be with others who understand.

In partnership with Melbourne City Mission - MCM Palliative Care, we're hosting Creating Space for Grief — a free 2-hour afternoon in Sunbury for people grieving the death of a loved one.

When: 1pm-3pm, Saturday 27 June

Where: Goonawarra Neighbourhood House, Sunbury

Cost: FREE

To register, visit: https://yoursay.gmct.com.au/gmct-events/creating-space-grief

26/05/2026

Thanks for having us, Eynesbury Market!

A big thank you to everyone who popped in for a chat about Harkness Memorial Park. We love speaking directly with our community about building Victoria’s largest cemetery in 100 years.

We can’t wait to come back next year.

If you want to keep up to date with all things Harkness Memorial Park, make sure you sign up to the Harkness newsletter here: https://www.harkness.gmct.com.au/subscribe

Missed us and want to make sure you catch us at the next event we attend? Head to our website to see where we will be next: https://www.gmct.com.au/events

21/05/2026

See you at Eynesbury Market this Sunday!

If you’re planning to visit the market this Sunday, make sure you pop by our stall to talk to the team building Victoria’s largest cemetery in 100 years - Harkness Memorial Park.

Come and find us at Eynesbury Market later this month!

When: 9am-2pm, Sunday 24 May
Where: 487 Eynesbury Rd, Eynesbury

Pop by our stall to hear the latest updates about Harkness Memorial Park, ask any questions you might have, and meet the team building Victoria’s largest cemetery in 100 years.

More information and get directions: https://www.harkness.gmct.com.au/news-updates/say-hello-to-the-harkness-team-at-eynesbury-market

Image: Visit Victoria

20/05/2026

A dedicated space for families who have experienced infant loss is coming to Lilydale Memorial Park, shaped by community.

We’re creating a dedicated garden where families can acknowledge their loss, honour their baby’s life, and return over time knowing their child is cared for and remembered.

Named Everlasting Meadow, the memorial garden is thoughtfully designed around the symbol of the knot, representing the enduring and unbreakable bond between parents and their children.

This is the first memorial of its kind at GMCT, and it wouldn’t exist without the community voices that called for it.

Construction is now underway, with the garden expected to be complete in August.

We’ll share more as it begins to take shape.

Construction of a dedicated infant loss memorial space at Lilydale Memorial Park will begin in May and is expected to be completed by August

18/05/2026

The Kingfisher Centre at Harkness Memorial Park is continuing to take shape before our eyes!

When we last shared an update, crews were busy pouring the concrete foundations.

Now, structural steel frames are in place, and the outlines of the ceremonial spaces and offices are clearly visible onsite.

The Kingfisher Centre will serve as a community hub in the first stage of Harkness Memorial Park, housing reception, operational services, and ceremonial and function spaces.

14/05/2026

Mother’s Day can be a difficult time for many people, and as the caretakers of memories, we understand our role on this special day.

This year, to support families honouring loved ones at our memorial parks, we placed flower stands across Fawkner, Northern, Altona and Lilydale Memorial Parks.

These stands housed fresh blooms as well as native posies created by community members in floral workshops we held in the week leading up to Mother’s Day.

We also had coffee carts at these parks offering free coffee and biscuits to our visitors.

13/05/2026

This year, in the lead-up to Mother’s Day, we welcomed over 60 people across three floral workshops at Fawkner, Altona and Lilydale Memorial Parks.

Facilitated by hellohydie, participants used native flowers to create bouquets to keep or lay at a loved one’s memorial.

We’re so grateful to everyone who turned up for what were three beautiful events.

A big thank you to Tasty Az, Celeste Catering and The Coffee Mill for catering the events.

08/05/2026

Mother’s Day can look different for all of us.

Whether you’re celebrating mum, remembering her, or honouring a mother figure or carer in your life, here’s what we have planned across our sites this Sunday, for Mother’s Day:

☕ Free coffee carts from 10am-2pm at Fawkner, Northern, Lilydale, and Altona memorial parks.

🌹 Complimentary native flower arrangements, created at floral workshops we recently held, from 10am at Fawkner, Northern, Lilydale and Altona memorial parks (available until all taken).

❤️ A Mother’s Day Remembrance Service at Lilydale Memorial Park from 10 to 11am, in partnership with Le Pine Funerals.

Our offices will be open from 10am-2pm at Fawkner, Altona and Lilydale memorial parks for anything you may need.

Visit our website to see the flower stand locations https://yoursay.gmct.com.au/mothers-day-gmct and keep an eye out for the waratah signs.

We look forward to welcoming you.