Cemeteries in the South West will benefit from maintenance and upgrade grants as part of a $900,000 state-wide investment by the Andrews Labor Government.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today announced four Cemetery Trusts have been awarded maintenance grants through the Cemetery Trust Grants Program including:
- Heywood Cemetery Trust which will receive $28,000 to go towards combined toilet and storage facility.
- Cobden Cemetery Trust which will receive $18,000 to go towards Kubota lawn tractor
- Mortlake Cemetery Trust which will receive $5,107 to go towards new lawn section
- Warrnambool Cemetery Trust which will receive $3,251 to go towards grave shoring equipment
Ninety-seven rural cemeteries across the state will receive funding through this latest grants round.
Victoria’s cemeteries offer many unique insights into how Victoria has grown and developed.
This grants program aims to help volunteers who run Cemetery Trusts maintain and improve cemetery facilities, so they can be enjoyed by many generations to come.
Cemetery Trusts will share in $900,000 to carry out general maintenance work, facility renovations and purchase or upgrade essential equipment to ensure the grounds are safe for staff and visitors.
Works will also focus on public health and safety, improving record keeping and maintaining infrastructure
The grants recognise the support a cemetery gives to local communities and understands the need to keep the facilities restored and make them as welcoming as possible.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP:
“Smaller volunteer cemetery trusts often need assistance and I am proud to be supporting our volunteers and cemeteries in rural areas.”
“Family and friends deserve to be surrounded by a pleasant environment when saying goodbye to a loved one or visiting their graves.”
“These grants will help our local cemeteries better preserve the sites of our loved ones into the future.”