Tucked away in Maiden Gully is a lone grave hidden between homes and native plants, unassuming to many if you are unfamiliar with the area and unaware of its existence. However, this stone-walled burial site is a place I frequently visit on dog walks to admire its historical significance and the story it tells. Ninnies grave is a lone grave erected in 1852 by Thomas Ninnie to serve as a burial site for his wife Maria and his two young daughters Grace and Jane. The Ninnies family was Cornish and had taken the chance to travel 700km over 10 weeks from the copper mines in Burra, South Australia, to try their luck in the then newly discovered Victorian goldfields. Tragedy struck shortly after arriving in the goldfields when two of their four daughters, Grace and Jane, died on the same night. Not long after, Maria succumbed to an illness she had following the birth of Grace during the journey. Thomas arranged a burial service, carved their names in a tree, and built a stone wall around the grave. In 1906, Maria and Thomas' surviving daughters Martha and Mary, arranged for the stone wall to be rebuilt and a headstone was added. The grave has remained in its original spot for over 170 years.
I placed this cache in the area surrounding Ninnes grave in hopes that people can find the site and take in its historical value. It is important to note that the geocache is in no way in or on the grave in any way and those visiting should be respectful of both the grave and the people who live on either side of the nature strip.
The cache is an orange bison tube. Inside is some paper to log your find. Please bring your own pen/pencil and enjoy looking for the cache! :)