Nundah Historic Cemetery will mark a significant milestone this month, commemorating 180 years since the first recorded burial at the site.
To honour the anniversary, Friends of Nundah Historic Cemetery, a volunteer-run community group, has launched a special commemorative project: a collection of 180 stories, each dedicated to a person buried at the cemetery.
Michelle Dale, President, Friends of Nundah Historic Cemetery, said the anniversary represented far more than the age of the cemetery.
“Nundah Historic Cemetery is one of Brisbane’s earliest burial grounds, and this milestone reminds us that history isn’t abstract or distant; it’s deeply personal and quite literally beneath our feet,” Michelle said.
“Reaching 180 years is a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and honour the people whose stories helped shape Nundah, Brisbane, and Queensland.”
The project invites anyone with an interest in local history to select one or two graves, research the individuals buried there and contribute a 200 to 400-word story, a letter across time, a thank-you, or a reflection.
“We wanted to mark 180 years in a way that felt human, not just historical,” Michelle said.
“Researching one grave shifts history from something broad and impersonal into something intimate. Instead of seeing history as wars, dates, and governments, people begin to see it as individuals, a mother, a child, a worker, a pioneer. It helps people understand that local history is not ‘small’ history; it is the foundation of everything we are today.”
Community Stories, Preservation, and Ongoing Connection
According to Michelle, the stories uncovered in the early stages of the project have been incredibly moving.
“We’ve uncovered tales of infant loss, quiet heroism, forgotten women, migrant journeys, workplace tragedies, and lives that were far more complex than their headstones suggest,” she said.
Once complete, the collection will be published as a commemorative book and shared with the community.
“Beyond the book, the stories will be celebrated through cemetery events, tours, and talks, allowing people to experience them in the place they belong,” Michelle said. “This is not a project meant to end on a shelf; it is intended to invite connection, conversation, and an ongoing relationship with our shared history.”
Friends of Nundah Historic Cemetery is also encouraging new members to get involved, with work ranging from conservation and grave cleaning to research, guided tours and advocacy.
“Cemeteries are outdoor archives – once stories, monuments, and records are lost, they cannot be replaced,” Michelle said. “By caring for this site, we are safeguarding memory, identity, and history for future generations, ensuring that those who came before us are not forgotten.”
For more information, email president@fonhc.org.au or join the Friends of Nundah Historic Cemetery.
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