Nestled amongst rolling green and gold hills, the Smeaton Cemetery is an idyllic place for reflection and remembering loved ones.   

However, the tranquil resting place is also full of secrets, which are slowly beginning to be uncovered.   

“There have been 585 registered burials here, but there is nowhere near that amount of marked graves,” Smeaton Cemetery Trust Chairman Bill May said.   

“We also knew that in the earlier years, a lot of people who couldn’t afford burials went to the cemetery at night, dug a hole and buried their loved ones.   

“This was often done in pathways or public areas with the expectation they would never be dug up. It was often babies or young children who were buried, so a lot of these graves are very small.”  

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program’s Maryborough crew is helping unveil, and mark, these final resting places.   

“We wanted to make this right for two reasons. Firstly, it is important there is some record of a burial there. We have no way of knowing who they are, but it is important to recognise there is someone there,” Mr May said.  

“Secondly, we didn’t want to allocate a plot to someone, only to find there is someone else already buried there.  

“Using ground radar technology, we have found 132 unmarked and unknown graves. We haven’t surveyed the whole site, but we have little doubt there are a lot more.   

“We have marked the beginning and the ends of the graves with pegs and the Drought Employment Program crew members are laying a large brick marker in each site.   

“It is really physical work and not something the Trust itself could do, and labour costs to do it would be too high. Small country cemetery trusts don’t have a lot of money.   

“So this support from the Drought Employment Program crew is valuable financially, but it is also valuable historically.”   

The Drought Employment Program aims to provide drought-affected people the opportunity to earn off-farm income to support their families and rural communities, contribute towards natural resource management outcomes and increase their confidence and skills for the future. It is part of the Victorian Government’s overall Drought Support Package.                            

North Central CMA Acting Program Delivery Executive Manager Trent Gibson said the crew was keen to help out when asked.   

“DEP crews usually work on projects with a natural resources or sustainable agriculture bent, but from time to time we help out the wider community,” he said.   

“Our crews have helped build paths at aged care homes, paint unsightly public water tanks and deliver packages for the Food for Farmers Project.  

“We recognise it’s important to help with the wellbeing of the community as well as the land.”   

Minister for Water Lisa Neville said the Smeaton Cemetery project is another example of how DEP crews are making a big difference in their communities.   

“I’ve seen first-hand the impacts of drought – which is why I’m proud that we’re working side-by-side with farming communities to ensure they get the support they need on and off farm,” she said.  

“The Drought Employment Program provides an income stream to farmers and farm workers affected by drought while also bringing a significant boost to local environmental projects.” 

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551

t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au