Pioneer Graves @ 'Site of Collins Settlement c 1803' - 4 Leggett Way, Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula, VIC

A short stroll of only 175 m from an entrance entitled ‘Collins Settlement 1803 – the First Official European Settlement in Victoria‘, along a mostly bitumen pathway which ascends to high point that overlooks Port Phillip Bay, four unmarked graves are encountered – the stories of which seem to have been lost in history . . .

” . . . But what little we have in the shape of historical spots ought to be jealously cherished.  Upon a point of land on the Nepean Peninsula, 100 feet above the sea, surrounded by the ti-tree and well nigh inaccessible, is an open space about ten yards long and six yards broad, bounded by dead ti-trees lying end to end.  In this space are four graves.  Each grave is defined by means of four pieces of hardwood laid on the ground, and by means of shells, the words, “Asleep,” “At Rest,” and “Peace are inscribed on the soil, together with representations of anchors and crosses.  There are no headstones and no inscriptions.  The graves are nameless.  Even the path leading to this lonely spot, where one can only hear the rustling of the branches of the ti-tree and the noise of the waves on the pebbly shore, is ill-defined and difficult to discover.  Surely the Government might do something to make these resting places better known and better cared for.  But there appears to be very little use in relying upon the Government to do anything of the kind . . . “

Source:  Excerpt – ‘Bendigo Advertiser’ – Article “The Labors of the Pioneers” – published 5th March 1901

The information signage suggests that these graves are most likely from settlers who arrived on the Mornington Peninsula from the late 1830’s onwards – and not Collins 1803 Settlement, due to their location in relation to the arrangement of the ‘1803 Settlement’.  Considering the Governor, Chaplain and Surveyor are believed to have been housed on this elevated rocky outcrop that was known as the ‘Eastern Sister’, it seems quite inconceivable that the graves were placed in their ‘backyards’ so to speak.  The following extract would suggest that there were a massive 22 deaths during the short duration of the ‘Collins Settlement’:

” . . . Among other interesting documents must be mentioned returns of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, from which it appears that the first white native of Victoria, born November 25th, 1803, was named William James Hobart Thorne, son of a marine; the first couple married on the 28th were Richard Garratt, prisoner, and Hannah Harvey, free; and the first man who died, on October 10th, was John Skilhorne, settler.  There were no other births or marriages, but twenty-one deaths . . . “

Source:  Excerpt – “Early History of the Colony of Victoria . . . ” – Volume I – by Francis Peter Labilliere – published 1878

Another 6 convicts were presumed dead as they never returned nor were they ever heard of again . . .

From the records of the time, it appears that Scurvy, diarrhoea (most probably due to the quality of the water retrieved from the casks or water wells) and drowning were the responsible for this high mortality rate.

Though the graves have been relocated due to erosion threatening them to fall into the sea, their stories remain a mystery.  One can only hope that maybe, one day, the story of these four graves will come to light . . .

Helpful Hints:

– Located some 2.4 km South-East of Sorrento – obtain Directions here

– Pets are permitted at various times during various seasons of the year

– For a list of Points of Interest regarding the ‘Collins 1803 Settlement’ – click here

– Some Car Parking available along the Service Road at the Entrance

Discover Sorrento:

– Points of Interest

– Things to Do

– Dining Out

– Shopping

– Places to Stay

– Facilities available at Sorrento include:

– Picnic Tables

– Sheltered Pavilions

– Barbecues

– Public Toilets