By Chris Manahan, Moruya Rotary Community Services

Over two years ago, Moruya Rotary made contact with National Parks regarding our proposed project to restore and make safe the pioneer cemetery at Moruya Heads.

The Heritage side of National Parks were very specific in what degree of restoration we were hoping to carry out. And rightly so as the site had to be made safe for the public use and equally important respect was required for the occupants of the gravesites we wished to restore.

Early in 2024 we were ready for work with the final Conservation Risk Assessment document completed. Over two days we lifted vandalized headstones and placed them respectfully in their rightful location and we repaired woodwork that should last another hundred years. Generous contributions from both Mitre 10 and Camerons hardware provided the necessary replacement timber.

A big Thank You to the National Parks officers who helped on the working bee and many thanks also to the members of the Rotary Club of Moruya in initiating and pushing this worthwhile community project to completion.

Some heavy timber posts were in danger of collapsing and the vandalized headstones were in need of repair. National Parks were supportive and recognized the need for maintenance.

However I don’t think we realized the paper work that was necessary before any work could commence. National Parks collaborated with us and took the lead in completing an Environmental Assessment as well as a Project Plan and the relevant Heritage Impact documents. Despite a full workload, Eurobodalla National Parks representative Daniel Bridle persevered in completing these documents.