National Trust Guidelines for Cemetery Conservation

10 CONSERVATION ISSUES - MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTION

10.1 SOURCES OF ADVICE

Councils in NSW have part time heritage advisers whose duties normally include giving free advice to owners of heritage items. Many Councils also have officers who are knowledgeable on heritage matters and who may be able to assist you.

The National Trust can provide a range of background guidance and initial assistance on cemeteries conservation projects. The Trust's Cemeteries Committee meets monthly and can comment on proposals for changes or new work in cemeteries of heritage value.

The sources listed below may yield cemetery transcripts, newspapers, letters, gazettal notices, maps, biographical material, burial registers, photographs and much more. Possibilities include:

In your area:

Council and Council library or archives

Historical Societies, Family History groups, and cemeteries Friends Groups

Historical Museum

local church/parish/diocesan archives or equivalent

Regional university library or history department

State Records regional repositories.

In Sydney:

Mitchell Library at the State Library of NSW

Society of Australian Genealogists

Royal Australian Historical Society

State Records New South Wales (formerly Archives Office of NSW)

National Trust of Australia (NSW).

In Canberra:

Australian Archives

Australian War Graves Commission.

10.2 INTERPRETATION

One of the most effective ways to ensure cemetery conservation is to encourage interest and appreciation within the community. This draws attention of both the general public and decision-makers to the value of the site and the need for maintenance. It also provides a basis for opposition in the event of unwise proposals for development or "improvement".

The local Council is more likely to spend money on a cemetery which is seen to have interest to tourists. The younger generation are less likely to vandalise a site known to them through school visits. The descendants of those buried are then encouraged to look after individual sites, improving the overall appearance and again discouraging vandalism. In time, the whole community will hopefully take a civic pride in the cemetery.

10.2.1 PAMPHLETS

The easiest way to encourage interest is to produce a simple pamphlet with basic information such as

Date of establishment relative to the town or settlement
Important or interesting people interred
Materials used in monuments, links with local quarrying, and any historical trends (eg early heavy sandstone monuments then marble headstones then concrete with marble tablets).
Interesting monuments or inscriptions
Names of large or unusual trees or plants, and particular birds to be seen
The development of the cemetery, and when the various denominational areas were established
Structures and materials: fencing around graves or denominational sections, shelter sheds or chapels, other seating
MOST IMPORTANTLY - a plan showing location of pathways, structures, interesting monuments or plantings, areas of earlier graves.

These pamphlets can be left at motels, cafes, churches, newsagents and information centres. In some cemeteries they are also left in a weather-proof container near the main gate, perhaps with an honesty box and/or a request to return pamphlets after use. (Elsewhere, this has created a litter problem.)

10.2.2 SIGNS

Signs are more expensive in the short term than a pamphlet, but they are more durable and more vandal-proof. Signage can be very effective in encouraging visitation by both locals and tourists.

The first necessity is a sign or pointer to the cemetery from a main road or other prominent position, or a clearly visible sign at the cemetery gate. A second sign inside the gate can show a general map of paths and sections; alternatively a signpost can point to various areas or items of interest. The name and contact phone number of the controlling authority should also be included, as well as contacts for a Friends Group if there is one.

If visitors to smaller cemeteries are likely to be looking for a particular relative's grave, an alphabetical list of names and plot numbers or sections can be typed up or photocopied and set up in a weatherproof notice case, together with a location plan or key. This approach is especially appropriate when a lot of families came to the settlement and then dispersed through the region, as happened with many mining towns.

10.2.3 TOURS

Occasional guided tours can be a very effective form of interpretation, especially if there is a highly committed group or a Friends Group. Such tours should obviously be arranged at a time when interest will be greatest - for example when the flowers are out, or during the town show or festival. If a pamphlet is available it is usually a good base for tours.

10.2.4 OTHER POSSIBILITIES

Other means of interpretation may be considered depending on resources, on the amount of interest, and on the number of people who may be interested. A compact disc can often be produced quite inexpensively, especially if significant information is already available in printed or electronic form. Similarly a website can be set up, with such details as a description of the cemetery and its graves, Friends Group activities, etc.

10.2.5 GENERAL ISSUES

Plenty of time should be allowed to check proposals with suitable people - a schoolteacher (and some children) will tell you whether your draft pamphlet will be of use during school visits.

It is nearly always a good idea to have a "launch" of any pamphlet or signage project, and to think of everyone suitable to be invited - local Councillors, ministers of religion, president of the Historical Society, headmistress and history master, chairperson of the local Services Club, etc.

It is generally best if a respected community figure does the launch. It is not essential that they have been involved: the aim is to get publicity and to attract community interest.

If there is a Friends Group, or an intention to form one (see Section 10.3, below), interpretation activities can also be used to advertise for new members.

10.3 FRIENDS GROUPS

"Friends Groups" are not only an effective way to conserve cemeteries but also a very useful means of exchanging information ranging from local history to conservation methods to horticulture to fence erection. They usually provide an entertaining social environment for people of largely overlapping interests.

10.3.1 FIRST STEPS

The first step is to identify a number of enthusiasts to get things started. Sometimes there is an obvious core group in the local church community or family history society, but it is usually worthwhile to run an advertisement or article in the local newspaper and/or relevant newsletters. Ideally the core group should be varied in skills and contacts but of like mind in their desire to maintain the cemetery and to ensure that repairs or other changes do not detract from its value to the community.

A broad long-term aim should be agreed upon and some achievable short-term objectives listed, including plans to develop a conservation plan if there is not one. It is important that all shorter-term plans be subject to review as the group expands, so that late-comers do not feel powerless.

Once a group has been identified the approval of the controlling authority needs to be obtained. If it is the local Council it is worth finding out which Councillors and officers will be supportive, and keeping them informed of developments. In any case, Council should be approached to provide a free meeting room, particularly if it runs the cemetery. Alternatively a free church hall connected with the cemetery may be found.

10.3.2 STARTING UP

In some areas the core group will know everyone likely to be interested and simply invite them along.

In larger centres it is best to start with a major effort to get a crowd along, and convince people to take the Friends Group seriously. In this case a couple of dates should be chosen for the first two meetings, carefully avoiding clashes with the regular dates of large organisations or any with overlapping interests. The chosen dates need to be publicised in the newsletters of such similar organisations, for which a couple of months should be allowed. In the meantime, as many relatives and descendants as possible should be traced, and enough information gathered to impress those who come along out of interest.

Information should be sent to local and nearby historical societies, family history groups and social organisations. Depending on which organisations act as a social focus in the area it may be worth advising the Parents & Citizens, or Apex club, or even the volunteer fire brigade. It may also be worth sending an A4 or foolscap notice to the local library, the High School, and all local meeting halls.

The meeting agenda needs to be carefully drawn to encourage discussion but avoid major squabbles. An experienced chairperson, who may or may not be one of the core group, should be arranged in advance. A Committee can be elected at the end of the first meeting, or volunteers can be invited to join the core group, and elections can be held at the second meeting.

10.3.3 NEXT STEPS

Once the Friends Group is established, issues such as insurance and possible tax deductibility need to be considered. Groups which affiliate with the Royal Australian Historical Society can take advantage of its group insurance scheme (contact (02) 9247 8001).

The earlier work on objectives will need to be clarified and will form the basis for a constitution. (The local Council may have an example of such a document from a local organisation, which can be used as a model.) At the same time thought will be needed on means to raise funds and increase community interest (see Section 10.3)

Local sponsorship may be sought from businesses, Council or service clubs. After this it is a matter of setting priorities for the many ideas which have no doubt been suggested for the cemetery, making sure that enthusiasm does not lead to overkill or to actions which are incompatible with the broader plans.