Left: The By Kath Gannaway
UPPER Yarra Public Cemetery sprung to life on Sunday as more than 60 people gathered to mark several milestones.
As the cemetery trust celebrated 115 years of service to the Upper Yarra community, trustees held an open day to mark the official opening of the new office and impressive gates erected last year by local resident Grant Morris and his team of community workers.
While a constant downpour ruled out plans for picnic lunches in the beautiful cemetery grounds, trustee Rosemary Crowley said the visitors enjoyed the Pioneer Mothers’ Tour, the arrival of the Heritage and Heritage horse-drawn hearse, the opportunity to catch up with family and friends and, of course, a country-style afternoon tea.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the volunteers from the Yarra Junction Opportunity Shop, who are staunch supporters of the trust, and to Mr Morris and his team of helpers, for their work in erecting the timber fence and gates.
Ms Crowley said the opening of the new office was an important part of the day.
“It has just come up trumps and we were thrilled to have the ladies from the op shop unveil the official plaque,” she said.
