Greta Cemetery

Land for the Greta Public Cemetery was first ‘Gazetted’ in July 1869. The first burial occurred in March of 1871, three-month-old baby, Ellen Gunn, the child of Alexander and Annie (nee Kelly) Gunn. Life in rural Victoria was full of natural perils. In November 1871, 22-year-old Mounted Constable John Alexander Duff left the Greta Police Station to collect the mail. He was thrown from his horse on the return journey and killed. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the corner of the Cemetery. In 2019 a headstone was unveiled and dedicated in a Ceremony attended by family descendants, the Victorian Police Commissioner, local members and many district residents. The headstone was placed by the Victorian Police Historical Graves Committee. On the right-hand side of the gate there is a monument, dedicated to the memory of William Petty. Petty joined the Victorian Bush Contingent and went to South Africa to fight in what would be known as the ‘Boer War’. He contracted dysentery, died, and is buried in Pretoria, South Africa. The local community raised money for a what is now a recognised war memorial in his name. In 2013 Ned Kelly’s remains were buried in an unmarked grave. The Cemetery is the final resting place for many of his family and friends and a memorial marker has been placed at the front gate.