TOM HAYES
By TOM HAYES
GIPPSLAND Memorial Park has welcomed the addition of a new courtyard, with the purpose of holding ash interments. Before the development, the site was a plain hill overlooking the water. It had no real purpose as the uneven ground wasn’t fit for burials. Now, the courtyard is well-presented and poses a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for those who visit to mourn the loss of their loved ones. The courtyard caters for 420 ash interments for families, offering them the chance to be as close as possible to their child or grandchild, who may be in the children’s burial lawn above the courtyard. Maddison Caruso from Carustone Memorials designed the courtyard, alongside Traralgon Cemetery Trust and manager, Brett Clifton. For the development of the courtyard, Gippsland Memorial Park would like to thank Ms Caruso from Carustone Memorials, Joe from Custom Wrought Iron and Fencing, Tyler at Go Hard Constructions, Wayne from WM Associates Inc, Darren at Smart Choice Building Permits, and Glenn from Lawlex Excavations and Earthmoving. All contractors were locally sourced and were able to complete the job with great care and respect. Gippsland Memorial Park has a few more developments on the horizon still. The first being the construction of new above-ground crypts. Foundations have been poured and left to set, with construction to take place throughout March. The other project is the excavation and construction of a lake toward the entrance of the park. Marked out at roughly 40 metres by 40 metres, the lake will be a finishing touch on the already well-presented grounds. Finally, on ANZAC Day (Tuesday, April 25), Gippsland Memorial Park will be holding an ANZAC Day service, which is planned to go ahead at 8am. The service is hoped to be followed by a morning tea, allowing the community to get together, have a chat, or mourn the loss of their loved ones collaboratively. For more information on Gippsland Memorial Park, and updates of their work, visit the Facebook page Gippsland Memorial Park Traralgon.
