Smythesdale Cemetery’s future in good hands

SMYTHESDALE Cemetery Trust received this year’s Innovation Award from the Cemeteries & Crematoria Association of Victoria.

The Trust was recognised by the industry association for its creation of a strategic plan which will assist and drive the organisation to adapt to the changing needs of the community.

“Traditionally, small cemetery trusts focus on the day to day running of the cemetery” said Alwyn Parker, Trust Chairman. “The development of a Strategic Plan has created a quantum shift.

“For Smythesdale that means a focus on burials and activities such as lawn mowing, weeding and general maintenance hasn’t changed, but now planning for future development and engaging more widely with our community will also be part of what we do.”

While Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the management of all public cemeteries in Victoria, the volunteer members of the Trust are responsible for the operations and maintenance.

This was a momentous achievement by a small country town cemetery trust to develop their first ever Strategic Plan, Judith Voce, President of Cemeteries & Crematoria Association of Victoria, said.

“People think a cemetery is a just a place for the dead, but it isn’t, it is an asset for the whole community,” Ms Voce said. “The people who visit need to feel comfortable and know there is a strategy for the cemetery into the future.

“It is quite an undertaking, by the Trust, to maintain their cemetery for their community and they don’t get funding from the Department to do this.”

The process of developing the strategic plan helped the Trust to look at the big picture and identify key issues facing the cemetery, which averages eight to ten burials a year.

“For the first time we have a document that will enable the Trust to build an organization that is forward looking and responsive to the changing needs of our community,” Mr Parker said.

Some of the Plan’s key strategic priorities include developing the skills of trust members, enhancing relationships with the community, improving governance and accountability, and providing leadership to the sector.

“Our relationship with the community and our understanding of their needs will be improved by having a website, holding open days and having a stall at the November Smythesdale Country Market,” Mr Parker said.

The Trust meets four times a year and holds regular working-bees.

“We all get together to make sure the cemetery is looking its best for the important commemoration days such as Christmas, Easter and Fathers’ and Mothers’ day,” Dianne Moylan, Trust member said.