East End in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Dame Nellie Melba (1861-1931)
world famous soprano
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026
1. Dame Nellie Melba (1861-1931) Marker
Melba was buried from The Scots' Church on 26 February 1931, the long funeral procession to her grave in Lilydale being a notable event in the history of this city. She is remembered as one of Australia's greatest daughters.
This plaque was erected by The Melbourne Scots in memory of Melba and her parents: David Mitchell who was born at Forfar, Scotland in 1829 and Isabella Dow who was born in Dundee in 1833. They met and married in gold-rush Melbourne, where Mitchell prospered as a builder, constructing The Scots' Church and the Exhibition Building. They passed on to their children an enduring affection for their Scottish heritage.
Erected by The
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1861.
Location. 37° 48.886′ S, 144° 58.103′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in East End. It is on Collins Street 0.1 kilometers west of Russell Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 156 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, Australasia, the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, the Pacific Rim, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Scots' Church and Assembly Hall (here, next to this marker); The Victorian Scottish Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); The Scots Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Independent Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Athenaeum Building (about 90 meters away, measured in
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026
2. Dame Nellie Melba (1861-1931) Marker just in the laneway
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. History. Scots Church
Remarkably, though, with the growing population and enthusiastic attendance, within 30 years the new church was too small plus, for some reason the spire was said to be leaning at an alarming angle. By January 1869 the gold-rich congregation had agreed to build a new church designed by the prominent architects Reed & Barnes the Scots Church you see today. Builder David Mitchell father of famous Australian soprano Dame Nellie Melba took only 20 months to complete the project.(Submitted on July 16, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
2. Melba's Church. History Out There
I was walking one brisk morning in Melbourne recently when I looked up to see Scots Church, the first Presbyterian church in Victoria, and where my aunty married an American soldier over seventy years ago. Its also the church where Australias Dame Nellie Melba, the worlds greatest operatic soprano, shared her beautiful voice with the public for the first time.(Submitted on July 16, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
The church was built by Melbas father in 1874, and each Sunday she sang in the choir there. What a treat that would have been, closing your eyes and hearing the song of a real life angel floating among the stone arches, and all for the price put in the collection plate.
Dame Nellie became so famous around the world, and her church with her, that the building has been visited twice by the current Queen Elizabeth.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
