Friday, 25 October 2024
Member for Williamstown, Melissa Horne was in attendance to help celebrate the Williamstown Morgue’s restoration. This was made possible thanks to a $150,000 grant from the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund to the Seaworks Foundation to preserve the morgue and its connection to Williamstown’s history.
The Williamstown Morgue has a long running legacy in the Hobsons Bay area. Built in 1859 by convicts and holding a historical bluestone façade, the Williamstown Morgue was one of the first of its kind and is the oldest surviving morgue in Melbourne. The building was first built as a substitute for storing bodies in pubs and dry, cold spaces. The morgue was relocated many times before being situated at the Williamstown waterfront in 1973. Closed in 1925 due to health concerns, the morgue was made vacant.
Today it rests next to the Seaworks building as a part of the Seaworks Foundation, who will ensure the morgue’s survival as a part of Williamstown history. The grant from the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund will aid in the upkeep, refurbishment and preservation of the building. This will lead to the morgue becoming a more interactive historical site for both local visitors and tourists.
The $10 million West Gate Neighbourhood Fund was established to support communities in
Melbourne’s inner west during the construction of the West Gate Tunnel. The West Gate
Neighbourhood Fund has supported over 200 community projects at a value of more than
$9.5 million.
Quotes attributable to Member for Williamstown, Melissa Horne
“The morgue at Seaworks is an iconic part of Williamstown’s history. The restoration works will ensure that this building remains part of Williamstown’s unique landscape.”
Ends.
Media contact: melissa.horne@parliament.vic.gov.au
