Change coming: The row of graves in the foreground will now be change to resemble those in the rows behind it.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
A controversial decision to change the layout of headstones on graves at Pine Lodge Cemetery earlier this year has officially been overturned.
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Remembrance Parks Central Victoria’s infrastructure committee met on Wednesday, September 21, when members voted to change the headstones back to angled ones.
The change will be for future headstones at the Pine Lodge cemetery and retrospectively for those buried in recent months in the newest row of graves.
The prior changing of the layout of graves from having uniform angled headstones to a flat footpath-like surface without any consultation was met with anger and distress by those who had buried loved ones in the newest row of the cemetery.
The oldest graves in this section are about five months old, and those who have buried loved ones in plots there told The News they did not know of any changes to the graves until after the burials.
For some, the knowledge came months later after an article ran in The News about it.
All had buried family members there and some had also bought extra plots in the same row.
While in Shepparton, Ms Stace also met with State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell, who had been advocating for the graves to be changed back to the same layout as all the other ones in the cemetery.
Long fight: Ray Cox has fought to have the headstones on the row of graves where his father is buried changed back to how the rest of the graves in the cemetery are.
Photo by
Monique Preston
On Wednesday, the committee accepted those recommendations.
Ms Stace said she had written to all 43 impacted customers who have graves in that row to tell them of the latest decision and the next steps.
“The works will be scheduled in a timely manner and our customer service team will keep the community informed of planned disruptions at Pine Lodge cemetery when the works take place,” she said.
“My team will also work individually with each internment holder, should it be necessary, to discuss matters such as plaques, granite etc.”
Ms Stace thanked those who had met with her for “their input, understanding and patience.”
The backflip by the RPCV is a welcome one for Shepparton resident Ray Cox whose father is buried in the row in question.
Mr Cox led the charge of those who wanted change and was happy with the outcome.
backflip: Remembrance Parks Central Victoria chief executive Lauretta Stace has written to all 43 impacted customers who have graves in that row to tell them of the latest decision and the next steps
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“It’s a good win for Shepparton,” he said.
“It’s let the Shepparton region know we won’t be pushed around and we know what’s right.
“For me, it (the change to the flat surface) was wrong.
“I’m just glad we can put this all behind us.
“It’s not just my family but all the families in that row.”
Mr Cox thanked Ms Stace for meeting with families to discuss their issues.
“I’m grateful to Lauretta for meeting us on site to discuss it,” he said.
“She understood where we were coming from.”
Ms Lovell, who received several complaints from upset residents, was pleased RPCV would make the change.
“I am delighted that the new CEO of Remembrance Parks Central Victoria has listened to the Shepparton community and will now restore all current and future headstones to the traditional angled style beam, restoring uniformity throughout the entire cemetery,” she said.
“The angled headstone is what grieving families expected when they decided to lay their loved ones to rest, and I would like to thank them for having the courage to speak out at a time when they were grieving the loss of a beloved family member.”
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