General News
28 September, 2022
Cemetery expansion necessitates funding
THE Terang Cemetery Trust has cast an eye to much needed funding for infrastructure works after recent expansion and the launch of a new website.
THE Terang Cemetery Trust has cast an eye to much needed funding for infrastructure works after recent expansion and the launch of a new website.
The committee members have hopes to complete curbing and channelling works and to build a gazebo to accommodate those paying their respects to loved ones.
The long-term funding projects follow two new areas of land opening for plots, accommodating new burial sites.
The new land has been opened after the monument and lawn sections were declared full, with 4861 and 1690 people buried in each section respectively.
Terang Cemetery Trust secretary Glenn Milroy said the lawn section at the cemetery had recently held a funeral at the final burial plot, which led to the opening of a new section for future burials.
“The lawn section which has just been filled this year was first opened in 1972, so it has taken 50 years to fill,” he said.
“The new section is expected to be filled in 45 years.”
Based on current land availability, the Terang Cemetery can accommodate burials for the next two centuries and has yet to reach half capacity.
With the site poised to accommodate burials for generations to come, Mr Milroy said the 11 committee members on the trust would like to see infrastructure projects receive funding.
“We will need curbing and channelling for the new section and the other thing we’re looking at is the gazebo,” he said.
“There used to be one which was removed around the 1950s.
“We’ve left a site where a gazebo could be located because it is something people have expressed interest in.
“Just the other day we got a letter from a lady who had visited in rainy weather, so it would be a positive to be able to keep people out ofthe elements.”
Mr Milroy said the curbing and channelling was expected to cost around $100,000 while the gazebo would cost around $30,000, with each making a difference for members of the community during a difficult time.
“It’s crown land, but the state won’t give us anything,” he said.
“The trust has to be self-sufficient; we can apply for grants if we’re lucky enough to get them but we can’t get money to top up our day-to-day expenditure.”
Terang Cemetery Trust president Alan Tampion said the development of the new website had accommodated a section for users to search names and locate where in the cemetery loved ones havebeen buried.
“All the records which are known to the Terang Cemetery Trust have been downloaded on to that website so people can go in there and find a name they are looking for,” he said.
“Gone are the days of making a phone call for someone to pull out the maps – it’s all digitised.”
Mr Tampion said the website also provided an opportunity to root out errors in records, some of which date back to when the cemetery opened in 1855.
“We’re finding the odd mistake because some of these records date back to the 1800s; for example, we found a duplicate from 1938 which listed two different names of someone who had been remarried,” he said.
“It’s an up-to-date list, but we are looking for any information from people who think something may not be right.
“We’ll take it on board, research it, and make any changes if need be.
“It benefits people interested in their family history, from anywhere in the world.”
To learn more about the Terang Cemetery or view the deceased history to ensure your family history is correctly documented visit www.terangcemetery.com.au.
