Management of Historic Cemeteries and Historical Monuments ... · historical monuments –...

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Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc. (A0050136N) Post: PO Box 2958, Cheltenham Vic 3192 Australia Email: [email protected] Date: 22 Dec 2015 Re: VEAC – Submission for Historic Places Investigation From The Friends of Cheltenham Regional Cemeteries Inc. Vic. Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently the President of the Friends of Cheltenham Cemeteries, which includes Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery & Cheltenham Memorial Park Cemetery, I have been invited to make a submission to VEAC regards Historic Places Investigation. Whilst The Friends are not responsible for the public areas where both cemeteries are situated, however; we have a strong interest in maintaining local cultural history and monuments of historical value. Along with restoring significant and historical monuments, where permission is gained, and researching many individuals who are buried at these cemeteries. To that objective The Friends would like to submit the following. Management of Historic Cemeteries and Historical Monuments within cemeteries: Current Legislation is that local cemetery trusts are responsible for maintaining cemetery infrastructure, but not individual monuments. This creates the conundrum that the Right of Burial in a public cemetery, is held by the purchaser of the gravesite (generally family). However, should a monument that is determined to be of historical significance, fall into disrepair, due to lack resources, lack of interest from family, or the Rights Holder themselves be deceased, the cemetery trust has no responsibility or authority to maintain or restore the monument, regardless of its significance or historical importance. If the monument is deemed to be significant or historic, the best practice for maintenance of the monument should be addressed where some form of intervention is warranted and required. This intervention must recognise the dual symbolism of the monument; to the families involved as well as to the community as a whole. An example at Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery is the oldest headstone in the cemetery, which dates to 1865 and is under extreme stress, with the headstone severely cracking. (Pictures below) There is no current generation of this family willing or able to expend the money required to restore this monument. It is not the responsibility of the cemetery trust, so it is left to a group of volunteers to raise funds for repairs, which entails a lengthy, expensive process of researching, then seeking permission from any surviving family to make restoration, if it is not too late. To add further complications to this costly process is not being able to locate any living relatives, along with seeking the correct authority to establish whether individual monuments are of historical or significant importance. As The Friends of Cheltenham is only a small group, we do not possess the financial resources or the knowledge to determine the historical value of such artefacts, and are unsure of “Research, Restore, Remember” The above research request was undertaken by the Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc., a not-for-profit community group formed to raise awareness by promoting the conservation and appreciation of the Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries. Historic places sub 2 - no.51

Transcript of Management of Historic Cemeteries and Historical Monuments ... · historical monuments –...

Page 1: Management of Historic Cemeteries and Historical Monuments ... · historical monuments – especially if they are in a cemetery that of itself is not assessed as being significant

Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc. (A0050136N) Post: PO Box 2958, Cheltenham Vic 3192 Australia

Email: [email protected]

Date: 22 Dec 2015

Re: VEAC – Submission for Historic Places Investigation From The Friends of Cheltenham Regional Cemeteries Inc. Vic.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am currently the President of the Friends of Cheltenham Cemeteries, which includes Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery & Cheltenham Memorial Park Cemetery, I have been invited to make a submission to VEAC regards Historic Places Investigation. Whilst The Friends are not responsible for the public areas where both cemeteries are situated, however; we have a strong interest in maintaining local cultural history and monuments of historical value. Along with restoring significant and historical monuments, where permission is gained, and researching many individuals who are buried at these cemeteries. To that objective The Friends would like to submit the following.

Management of Historic Cemeteries and Historical Monuments within cemeteries: Current Legislation is that local cemetery trusts are responsible for maintaining cemetery infrastructure, but not individual monuments. This creates the conundrum that the Right of Burial in a public cemetery, is held by the purchaser of the gravesite (generally family). However, should a monument that is determined to be of historical significance, fall into disrepair, due to lack resources, lack of interest from family, or the Rights Holder themselves be deceased, the cemetery trust has no responsibility or authority to maintain or restore the monument, regardless of its significance or historical importance. If the monument is deemed to be significant or historic, the best practice for maintenance of the monument should be addressed where some form of intervention is warranted and required. This intervention must recognise the dual symbolism of the monument; to the families involved as well as to the community as a whole.

An example at Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery is the oldest headstone in the cemetery, which dates to 1865 and is under extreme stress, with the headstone severely cracking. (Pictures below) There is no current generation of this family willing or able to expend the money required to restore this monument. It is not the responsibility of the cemetery trust, so it is left to a group of volunteers to raise funds for repairs, which entails a lengthy, expensive process of researching, then seeking permission from any surviving family to make restoration, if it is not too late. To add further complications to this costly process is not being able to locate any living relatives, along with seeking the correct authority to establish whether individual monuments are of historical or significant importance. As The Friends of Cheltenham is only a small group, we do not possess the financial resources or the knowledge to determine the historical value of such artefacts, and are unsure of

“Research, Restore, Remember” The above research request was undertaken by the Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc., a not-for-profit community

group formed to raise awareness by promoting the conservation and appreciation of the Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries.

Historic places sub 2 - no.51

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who should be approached to undertake this process. Our previous efforts to engage a state government office to assist have fallen on deaf ears. There needs to be clear processes and procedures in place for identifying significant historical monuments – especially if they are in a cemetery that of itself is not assessed as being significant – however, individual monuments within the cemetery may be. A mechanism for assessing individual items within a larger setting, as well as assessing the overall location, is required. The Friends are happy to elaborate further, if additional information is required and we appreciate the opportunity to offer our view.

“Research, Restore, Remember” 2 The above research was undertaken by the Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc., a not-for-profit community group

to raise awareness by promoting the conservation and appreciation of the Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries.

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Rosemary Reddick President of The Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc.

JUST RELEASED: The Melbourne Benevolent Asylum: Haven of Rest is the fourth book published by the Friends of Cheltenham

and Regional Cemeteries Inc. featuring over 1,700 patients of the former Asylum who lie buried in the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. Limited print run of just 70 copies, each individually numbered. For more information, visit

http://www.focrc.org/shop.htm.

* STOP PRESS: Our second book, The Murder Victims: Fate’s Wicked Child received a Commendation at the 2011 Victorian Community History Awards for “Best Community Research, Register, Records” *

For more information about the Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries and the work we do, visit

http:/focrc.org/aboutus.htm.

“Research, Restore, Remember” 3 The above research was undertaken by the Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc., a not-for-profit community group

to raise awareness by promoting the conservation and appreciation of the Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries.