Letter 1 - Botanical Gardens Tragedy
On a warm summer evening in 1924, Melbourne’s beloved Royal Botanic Gardens became the scene of an unthinkable tragedy. Norman List, 34-year-old World War I veteran battling inner demons, walked into the gardens armed—and opened fire on innocent visitors. Four lives were lost that day, including Eugenie Strohhaker, a devoted mother of three, and 65-year-old Frederick William McIlwaine. Another was gravely wounded.
The peaceful gardens, a place of beauty and respite, were transformed into a site of shock and mourning. As news spread, the city grieved deeply.
For those who stroll the paths of the Gardens today, it’s hard to imagine such sorrow amidst the greenery and blooms. Yet this haunting chapter is woven into Melbourne’s past, a reminder of fragile peace and the unseen struggles carried by many after the Great War.
If you would like to learn more, please tap the link below.
https://brightoncemetery.com/