DEAD CENTRE OF HERONS CREEK TO GAIN A NEW LEASE OF LIFE Herons Creek Cemetery working bee 21st March 2015 Herons Creek Chapel & friends are putting out a call to the wider community to come and help us at this upcoming working bee. “Riding on the back of the acclaimed self-drive Heritage & Tourist trails throughout Herons Creek district (stage 1) and the urgent need to continue telling the stories of Herons Creek through the ‘Cedar Way’, the most immediate concern is for our local cemetery” Martin Parish (Pastor & Trail Coordinator) said. “It’s a sacred ground to many families from our district but it’s looking very tired & neglected. A number of families who visit regularly are doing what they can. But they need a hand as a matter of urgency, to breathe in life and pride, and help to preserve such an important community asset”. The Chapel with the help of Port Macquarie Hastings Council, is organising a working bee on Saturday March 21st. Starting at 8.30am finishing by 2pm. Morning tea & Bbq will be provided. They are endeavouring to do a big clean up; removing weeds, trimming grass, cutting & removing dead branches, cleaning gravestones, providing morning tea, cooking a bbq, lunch, are some of the jobs. Members of Herons Creek Chapel met with representatives of Port Macquarie Hastings Council, on site on Tuesday 18 February to discuss the upcoming Working Bee. Chapel representatives met with Beau Spry (PMHC Place &Facilitator: Heritage & Culture) and Debbie Hesse (Manager of Crematorium & Cemeteries). It was truly a positive meeting. History was shared, grief over the loss of earlier records was aired, with brainstorming on various ideas in making this place more loved, and some of the priorities with our upcoming working bee were discussed. “The representatives from PMHC showed enthusiasm and were encouraged to see a community project that held much value”, Martin said. “This is only a start to our dreams. PMHC representatives encouraged us to see the bigger picture, to share our bucket list for the cemetery. Les & Daphne Latham raised the issue of how to mark un-named grave sites with markers, this would than coincide with a large sign at the beginning of the cemetery. Other ideas were the provision of a shelter (gazebo) and a table. A picnic table would make it easier for families who often visit, to arrange their flowers without the need to bend down and arrange them on the ground, as is happening at the moment. This would also create a space where families could enjoy a cuppa in quiet solitude as they visit. There were early discussions into the possibilities of placing a heritage listing over the grounds. Members looked into the advantages and disadvantages. Overall, it was felt it would be a worthwhile venture to do later this year as a way of preserving the significant history on the site and its meaning to our district. Herons Creek Chapel have approached Kendall Mens Shed (what a great group of men doing some amazing community projects) to see if they can build a picnic table for a minimum cost. A slab would need to be laid too. From Bill Boyd’s bucket list came the wish of an honour roll (a sign) of those enlisted in the Australian Armed Services during all wars including the Boar War - be it locals who either left Herons Creek to join or who settle in our district after the wars. That's a worthwhile project in itself - if you have any information - call Bill Boyd. We do know that there are three Anzac soldiers buried at Herons Creek, another soldier who fought at the Boar War and at least another dozen or more who have served our country in wars since. But for now, a big clean-up is needed, and many hands make light work. Many grave sites have deteriorated and need much care. Martin said, “we are endeavouring to assist families in cleaning their ancestor’s headstones where possible. We are encouraging everyone to wear shoes, protective gloves, protective glasses, bring buckets & soft sponges, gardening tools. A foldup picnic chair & a mug is a must. To tidy up unattended grave sites, permission is required as we wish to work hand in hand with families. It is the committee’s desire to have as many members of families who have loved ones buried there, to join in the clean-up effort”. Les Latham has put it best, in our plea for help, "if you are able to assist and be involved in the clean up or in sharing your loved ones story we would like to hear from you." Please call and register your interest. Starts 8.30am – 2pm. BBQ provided. Call Betty & Bill Boyd 6585-7022 or Daphne & Les Latham 6585-5383 Earlier this month we posted this story below “Herons Creek Cemetery - a sacred ground to many families from our district. If you have been to our Cemetery lately, it’s looking very tired & neglected. A number of families who visit regularly are doing what they can. But they need a hand as a matter of urgency, to breathe life & pride into these sacred grounds. Our Chapel is organising a working bee on Saturday March 21st. Starting at 8.30am – 2pm. We are endeavouring to do a big clean up - transforming it to a more loved environment. Yes a big clean up is needed. There are early discussions into looking at an heritage listing over the grounds too, assisting in preserving it. Lets encourage the community to come together at this upcoming working bee in March to preserve such an important community asset.