Community push begins for Tea Gardens cemetery improvements

A STRONG show of cooperation between community groups and MidCoast Council has sparked fresh momentum for long-term improvements at the historic Tea Gardens Cemetery.

Representatives from Council, the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association (HNTGPA), and Tea Gardens Family Research and Local History Group (TGFRLHG) met on site this week to inspect the cemetery and discuss a wide range of issues, from ageing infrastructure and presentation standards to historical preservation and future technology upgrades.

Attending the meeting were Council’s Jock Fraser, Sandra Bourke (President) and Bruce Murray (Secretary) of the HNTGPA, and Judith Glover (President) and Lesley Turner of the TGFRLHG.

Ms Bourke said the meeting highlighted the community’s deep commitment to preserving one of the district’s most important historical and cultural sites.

“This cemetery holds generations of local history, families and stories,” she said.

“It was extremely encouraging to see Council, the Historical Society and community representatives all sitting down together and working constructively on appropriate improvements for the future.

“There is still work to do, but genuine progress is occurring and there is a strong shared commitment to improving standards, protecting historical records, and ensuring the cemetery is treated with the dignity and respect it deserves.”

Several concerns were raised during the inspection, including deteriorating and outdated signage, with some signs still referencing the former Great Lakes Council.

Community representatives also pointed to faded, damaged and difficult-to-read signs which they believe no longer reflect the respectful presentation standards expected of an important community cemetery.

The meeting also examined broader maintenance and landscaping issues, including gardening standards, presentation consistency, and future infrastructure needs in line with evolving cemetery management and new licensing requirements across New South Wales.

One idea gaining strong support was the creation of quarterly community working bees, allowing volunteers to assist with gardening, clean-up activities and the respectful removal of deteriorated flowers and damaged items throughout the cemetery grounds.

Future technology solutions were also discussed, including the introduction of QR-code-based grave location systems to help visitors more easily locate gravesites and access historical information.

Mr Fraser advised attendees that all new burials are now digitally recorded from the outset, significantly improving long-term cemetery management and record accuracy.

He also confirmed Council is progressively digitising older cemetery records and burial plots across the wider cemetery network.

Representatives from the Historical Society confirmed they had previously supplied Council with extensive cemetery mapping and historical research material and would again assist with preserving and digitising local records. Attendees were also advised that Council is progressing plans to appoint a supervisor responsible for overseeing a range of public spaces and community facilities, including cemeteries, with the aim of improving consistency in maintenance and operational standards across the region.

Mr Fraser also outlined several improvements already completed within the Tea Gardens cemetery precinct, including the construction of a new retaining wall, and acknowledged the importance of continued cooperation between Council and the local community.