Will Will Rook Pioneer Cemetery (Broadmeadows)

Use of the Will Will Rook Pioneer Cemetery is believed to date back to 1852, with the land for the cemetery provided by Neil Campbell. The government gazetted the cemetery along with several other cemeteries that were already in existence in 1854.

There are thousands of people buried in the cemetery without headstones. The most comprehensive list of burials is located at the Broadmeadows Historical Museum and the Genealogical Society of Victoria. Many burial records are missing, with death certificates being the only proof available of a possible burial. The earliest death that has been found thus far, according to the date on the death certificate, is that of James Orr.

James Orr was buried on 20 October 1854. He was a school teacher at Yuroke National School. He died aged 36 from injuries sustained after being kicked by a horse. He was survived by his wife and three young children, the youngest of which was only two weeks old at the time of their father's death.

The early pioneers of Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, Moonee Ponds, Essendon and surrounding areas make up many of those who are buried at this cemetery. They were mostly known for a particular breed of horse, cattle or sheep, crops and other enterprises such as hotels, coach proprietors and labourers. The few remaining headstones at the cemetery are a testament to these early pioneers.

Neil Campbell - His story as known to date
Neil was born in 1800 in Argylshire, Scotland to Neil Campbell and Ann McLean. He arrived in Hobart in April 1824 aboard Amity and was met by his older brother Colin and cousin Donald who had arrived in Tasmania in 1820 aboard Skelton and settled near Launceston.

Neil married the widow Jessie Drummond (nee McDonald) in Launceston in 1832, her husband disappearing a few years earlier. Their first daughter Julia was born in 1833, their only son Neil was born 28th April 1836, but died 2nd May 1836. Their second daughter Jess was born in 1838 and was only three months old when they arrived at Port Phillip. Emma, their youngest daughter, was born in 1843.

Neil had purchased 1180 acres in section 12 and part of section 11 Parish of Will Will Rook at the New South Wales Land Sales on 20th September 1838, as well as 1083 acres in Section 10 near Darebin Creek of the Keelbundora Parish.

In 1842 Neil made 5 acres of his land available for a Church and School, later becoming Scots Church Campbellfield. In 1852 he made 10 acres of land available for the General Cemetery in Camp Road.

Jessie Campbell died at her daughter Jess's home in Roden Street, North Melbourne and was buried in Melbourne General Cemetery. Her son-in-law Captain William McLean was the informant. Neil died in the Argyle Hotel, Geelong on 18th Sepember 1882. His death certificate states he was a farmer, and died of old age. He is buried at the Eastern Cemetery, Geelong.

Location

220 Camp Road, Broadmeadows 3147 Map