Setting up a new Working Group in your area

It is estimated that there may be as many as 3,000 unmarked veterans’ graves across Victoria. The true number may well be even higher.

The Headstone Project Victoria is keen to set up regional projects in local communities across the state. We can provide support and advice on how to set up and run a local project. We also offer onsite training for volunteers to assist with field work and research, data collection and the steps to getting government or private funding to mark the graves.

Please fill out the form below if you are interested in forming a local group or joining an existing group.

Community Groups

Bellarine Cemeteries Working Group

This working group was formed in April 2024 to build on the work of Chaplain Major Geoff Traill (President of The Headstone Project Victoria) at the Point Lonsdale/ Queenscliff cemetery. He identified 536 veterans connected with the Borough of Queenscliffe of which 397 were buried at Point Lonsdale, 31 of those were in unmarked graves. Extensive background research was conducted on each veteran leading to eight applications for government funding to mark the graves with private sponsorship sought to mark the remaining 23 graves.

The group has now expanded beyond Point Lonsdale/ Queenscliff to the wider Bellarine Peninsula east of Geelong, including cemeteries at Drysdale, Portarlington and Leopold. This is the area of the old Shire of Bellarine. Initial research has revealed that there were over 400 enlistments in World War 1 connected with the Drysdale area. This is through soldiers living there at the time of enlistment, having next of kin at Drysdale, having attended school or having worked in the area.

Seven are lying in unmarked graves at Drysdale cemetery. Many veterans are buried overseas or elsewhere. There were perhaps another 1,000 enlistments from across the Bellarine. Work is underway to identify where these veterans are buried.

Note: these numbers are only World War 1 enlistments.

Melbourne Metro Working Group

This working group was formed in October 2024, though some members had been working on metro cemeteries in their own right for many years. The group brings together various researchers under The Headstone Project Victoria banner in order to streamline research, grant applications and commemorations.

The Melbourne members are working through a number of cemeteries across the metro area. These include Brighton Cemetery, Cheltenham Pioneer and Cheltenham New Cemeteries, Box Hill, Burwood, Kew and St Kilda Cemeteries, Fawkner and Preston Cemeteries and Warringal and Melbourne General Cemeteries.

Members are trying to identify veterans who are buried in these cemeteries in unmarked graves. Their initial research has revealed that there may be as many as 2,000 veterans’ names to check if they are in unmarked graves. This is the first step in commemorating the veterans. Next is the research and application for funding phases.

Melbourne Metro Working Group needs more volunteers to assist in their work.

Interested in forming a new working group?

Please fill out the form below and we will get back to you.

The Headstone Project Victoria collects your personal information in order to contact you regarding your enquiry. We will not share any of this information with another organisation/individual without your knowledge. If you choose not to provide your personal information than we will be limited in how to best address your enquiry.

If you have any questions about how your personal information will be handled you can refer to The Headstone Project Victoria Privacy Policy or if would like to gain access to your personal information, you can contact headstoneprojectvic@gmail.com