Elmore Cemetery Trust chairman Ken Wills standing next to what will be a plaque to commemorate the unmarked graves.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
More than 80 unmarked graves were discovered at Elmore Cemetery during a series of ground radar investigations over the past 18 months.
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The investigations aimed to locate unused areas in the cemetery that could be developed into new burial plots.
The graves are located at the entrance to the cemetery at the south-east end of the cemetery, along Elmore-Raywood Rd.
Elmore Cemetery Trust chairman Ken Wills said the cemetery did not have any record of the 89 unknown bodies.
“A lot of our early records were burnt in a house fire so we didn’t have a clue about some areas in (the cemetery),” he said.
“This cemetery goes back to 1868 ... in the late 1800s people had no money, and a funeral is a big expense.
“It was a pound to dig the grave without any cemetery fees. A pound back then was a few weeks’ wages ... so people were just put in the ground without a number.”
Ken Wills has been leading the charge on all the works happening at the cemetery.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The remains of the unknown bodies will be kept undisturbed, as the radar used for investigations only scans for any disturbed soil below the surface.
The trust plans to build a garden where the bodies are and install a plaque to commemorate those buried in the area.
The project is part of wider renovations that have been happening in the past 18 months.
The works include a new wheelchair-friendly pathway, garden edging, new trees and plants, grass areas, benches for visitors to sit and irrigation.
The cemetery is undergoing renovations, including a new sign at the entrance.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
More recently, the Elmore Cemetery sign at the entrance has been renewed and installed.
The trust will also look into working with local contractors to source services such as composting and soil.
The renovations were made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Community Bank of Elmore, Lockington and Rochester, which will cover around two thirds of the works.
The trust hopes to host a community open day in the spring, once renovations are complete.
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