Walter Lindrum’s memorial at Melbourne General Cemetery was fully restored by the original monumental masons and stonemasons, Giannarelli Memorials, in December 2024.

Founded by Almo Giannarelli during the war years, Almo rented land on Nicholson Street from the importer, Gualtiero Vaccari. In the early years, most of the firm’s employees were Italian; the present contingent of workers now comprises many nationalities.

Giannarelli now owns two quarries providing granite from Bendigo and Forbes, whilst their marble is still imported from Italy. From rough designs and measurements, the stonemason saws, polishes, chisels, hones, sculpts, and fashions his slab of stone with precision and care.

“A monument, like a will, is a validation of one’s life. It says that you were here, that you lived in a period of human history. A cemetery is a validation of the existence of a society.” Author Mario Giannarelli.

Originally commissioned to build the grave of Walter Lindum, legendary Australian billiards champion, the family understood the significance of this project. Lindrum was not just a sportsman; he was a symbol of excellence and perseverance. The responsibility weighed heavily on the Giannarelli family, but it also ignited a spark of inspiration.

Giannarelli believed that a grave should reflect the essence of the person it commemorated. The family and their team immersed themselves in Walter’s life, studying his achievements and the passion he had for the game of billiards. The more they learnt, the clearer the vision became. The memorial had to embody not only Walter’s victories but also his humility and love of billiards.

As the Giannarelli team worked on Walter’s grave, they poured their hearts into every chisel stroke. Each piece of stone was carefully selected, polished, and shaped, reflecting their commitment to honouring Walter’s memory. They infused the design with elements that represented his legacy—symbols of victory, balance, and passion.

Finally, the day of the unveiling arrived. The Giannarelli family, along with local dignitaries, fans, and Walter’s family, gathered at the cemetery. A hush fell over the crowd as the draped cloth was removed, revealing the stunning monument. The intricate details of the grave drew gasps of admiration from those present.

As tears mingled with smiles, Walter Lindum’s family expressed their gratitude to the Giannarelli family. They recognised that Walter’s grave was not just a resting place but a celebration of a remarkable life.

To this day, the Lindrum family remains forever grateful to the Giannarelli team. Now led by Emilio Giannarelli, the team completed a full restoration of Walter’s grave in late 2024.

Walter Lindum’s memorial at Melbourne General Cemetery still remains one of the most visited graves, as people still come to pay their respect to Australia’s greatest sportsman, drawn not only by the monument’s beauty but also by the story behind its creation.

The Giannarelli family knew that they had woven a piece of history into the fabric of their craft, forever honouring a champion who had touched so many lives.

Other notable monuments commissioned and built by the Giannarelli family are:

The memorial to the king of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, located at Melbourne General Cemetery was unveiled by Johnny O’Keefe on the 26th of November 1977, a few months after the death of Elvis. The monument in the Melbourne cemetery has been a place of pilgrimage for many of the singer’s fans.

The Dog’s Grave was erected in 1975 on High Plains Road near Mt Birregun a well-known meeting place for drovers. John Giannarelli was prospecting in the area and heard a story of a pioneer who grieved over his dead dog that had eaten bait and buried in a small grave of stone slabs with a picket fence around the site. Giannarelli decided to have a memorial built near the original dog’s grave as a tribute to the area’s pioneers and their working dogs, without which Australia’s sheep and cattle industry would have been greatly hampered.

Lindrum Legends recognises this great family and their contribution to our Australian history. To learn more about the legendary Emilio Giannarelli and his craftsmanship, visit www.giannarelli.com.au.