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Historic
Rookwood Necropolis |
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The largest cemetery in the Southern Hemisphere, Rookwood, was opened in
1867 and is presently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Lands.
Trusts are established to manage the individual sections, i.e. the
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Jewish, and the Independent which oversees
some 150 acres containing Uniting Church, Congregational, Methodist,
Presbyterian and Orthodox sections. The Crematorium is managed
independently.
Funds are created by the sale of grave sites and vault sites, and the
management of the sections depends on the success of the Trust to manage
the ongoing maintenance of that Section. Trusts meet approximately every
two months and there is a Joint Comniittee for the overall benefit of
the Necropolis. The Trust appoints a manager who is in charge of the
outdoor staff, the Manager of the Independent Section is Mr Merv Manning
who has been in that position for more than twenty-five years and is a
well known identity.
Their office was refurbished in recent times and officially opened in
June 1991. Records kept in the office date back to 1867 and many
enquiries as to family histories or the whereabouts of burial places are
satisfied by the Trust staff. The Trustees are a voluntary- body
representing the churches on whose behalf they act.
Cemeteries are an open air museum and like all collections they need to
be restored and preserved. Many visitors in the past have felt that
sections have been neglected - as indeed they were - for the cost of
maintaining a high standard was beyond the resources of the Trust.
However, with up-to-date equipment and good public relations, a new
concept is developing.
Water supply at Rookwood is an immense problem and a scheme is afoot
with the Water Board to develop a lake system to absorb storm water
which in turn will supplement a common water supply throughout the
Necropolis.
The western gate entrance is being upgraded by the Joint Committee and
this when completed will enhance the approach to the cemetery. In
addition a masterplan for landscaping undertaken by the Anglican and
Independent Trusts will be implemented.
Preserving plants and trees of a bygone period which are still
flourishing throughout the grounds and replanting indigenous species to
beautify- the avenues and paths has already commenced.
There are very strict laws pertaining to the individual freedom within
the Rookwood territory and vandalism has been cut drastically with the
appointment of security teams.
Members of the Genealogical Society and Friends of Rookwood have worked
tirelessly to record and refurbish historical areas such as the
serpentine drain which was in a severely neglected state and has now
been traced, recorded and rebuilt in certain sections. In addition
summer houses have been restored, for it must be remembered families in
the earlier part of this century came by train or sulky to Rookwood and
spent the day there enjoying a picnic lunch in the beautiful
surroundings.
Over the years attitudes have changed, family members often cannot be
traced to satisfy enquiries and older areas fell into disrepair, neglect
and abuse. Weeds proliferated and choked out the native flora and
pathways. Now it is anticipated the Rookwood Necropolis will become a
scenic area for historians to indulge in their discovery of our past and
perhaps the public will find this reserve, so close to Strathfield, a
fascinating and beautiful experience.
The Orthodox sections are certainly adding colour and beauty to the
perspective with their chapels and the increase in demand for vault
sites and erection of vaults with beautiful marble facades is creating
great interest.
Information on Friends of Rookwood Cemetery
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Strathfield District
Historical Society Newsletter. Title 'The Management of the
Rookwood Necropolis'. Author: Lucy Stone. Volume Volume 15, Number
10. Date: October 1992.
© Lucy Stone 1992. This article is copyright. Permission
must be obtained to copy or reproduce. |
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