Our History

Early discussions between Mitcham and Unley councils for a new southern cemetery began. They were looking at ways to commemorate the centenary of South Australia’s proclamation. The name Centennial Park as a concept was born.

Pictured to the left Mayor of Unley, Sir John (Jack) McLeay and Mayor of Mitcham, W.A. (Bill) Norman.

Centennial Park Cemetery was officially established with the first official trustee meeting held on Friday 31 July 1936. Many sites were suggested but ultimately an area on Goodwood Road at Springbank was chosen as the most suitable location. Part of this land was purchased for £4,000 and development began.

Centennial Park officially opened on 30 April. Edith Pope was the first burial a month later.

At the end of the first year there had been a total 34 burials.

A military area was set aside for those who succumbed to injury because of war. Simple timber crosses were used.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission took over management of the war graves and began installing white headstones.

The Cross of Sacrifice was unveiled on 5 September and was the first Cross of Sacrifice erected in response to the Second World War in the Southern Hemisphere.

An official ceremony to commemorate the foundation laying for the new crematorium and Memorial Chapels occurred on 20th March.

The building opened on 11 December and a 2-year-old boy was cremated the next day.

Derrick Gardens and the RSL Walls for service personnel were established.

Columbarium Walls, the first memorial walls in the Park for cremated remains, was established.

The Garden of Remembrance was established by The Office of Australian War Graves, and relocated in 1988.

The Sir John McLeay Memorial Chapel opens on 26 June, expanding the existing chapel and crematorium.

Cremations surpass burials, making up nearly 60% of interments.

A new crematorium was built at a different location to the chapel building.

The Jubilee Complex is officially opened.

The original 1955 crematorium and chapels are demolished.

Springbank Creek Memorial Area was developed.

The Norman McLeay Building was officially opened on the site of the original chapels and crematorium.

Unique to South Australia, Contemplation Court, a temporary ashes memorial area, was introduced.

The Springbank Island Memorial Area was developed.

The current operations complex opens.

The official opening of Wildflowers Café & Function Rooms on 29 March, built on the site of the original crematorium, chapels, and Norman McLeay building.

Contemplation Court was redeveloped.

Launched our four-year Environmental Sustainability Plan.

Introduced the State’s first sustainable memorial option – Living Legacy Forever Flowers.