Rural cemetery trusts to stay

By Melissa Donchi
THE State Government will not amalgamate rural cemetery trusts into a single authority after concluding that most of the trusts are “well run entities”.
The Minister for Health, Daniel Andrews, had said management problems within some of the cemeteries were the reason behind the Government’s decision to review the trusts.
But in a major turnaround, Mr Andrews said he now had no intention of merging small country trusts into one entity.
“Following extensive public consultation I have decided there will be no changes to the running of the state’s 500 or so smaller rural cemetery trusts,” Mr Andrews said.
“I am firmly of the view that these small to medium trusts are, for the most part, well run entities which perform an important and necessary service for their local communities.”
Instead, the State Government will channel more funding into the cemeteries to help them buy equipment and undertake minor infrastructure works.
Seymour MP Ben Hardman said the Government would deliver $300,000 to Victoria’s 500 country cemetery trusts, which includes $27,840 for Healesville cemetery.
“Most grants are going to small rural cemeteries with little maintenance money and will be used for essential items such as equipment, general upkeep, facility renovations, fencing and tree and weed control,” Mr Hardman said.
“I’m pleased to see that Lilydale Memorial Park Cemetery Trust is to receive $27,840 for new fencing on the western side of the Healesville cemetery.”
Lilydale Memorial Park and Cemeteries CEO Wal Maguire said the trust had already spent $70,000 on fences for the other three sides of the cemetery.
“This was the last side that needed to be fixed and we’re pleased to have got the funding to do it,” Mr Maguire said.
“I think they realised that if they changed the way these country cemeteries work they’d lose a lot of the community spirit and commitment.”