JUST days after vandals desecrated 67 historic headstones in Bathurst cemetery, Barry Konemann, from the Bathurst Family History Group, has been buoyed by the community’s support for his organisation’s efforts to repair the graves.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“We have had offers of help in relation to manual labour,” Mr Konemann said.
“We have had offers of financial help, and we have even had offers to supply materials.
“Bunnings has even generously donated goods and offered to help with a working ‘blitz’.”
The helpful pledges have come mainly from the local area, but Mr Konemann said he has also fielded calls from Sydneysiders offering to assist.
The repair process will be “very slow and methodical”, and Mr Konemann admits the BFHG will need all the assistance they can get. He called for volunteers, or anyone who could provide financial support, to contact him on 0427 776 413.
The graves that were damaged are:
* CATHOLIC: James Ryan 1866; Mary Elizabeth Glynn 1881; John Andrew 1879; Agnes Merriel 1910; Nellie Slavin 1874; Matthew Brennan 1867; Patrick Riley 1891; Patrick Joseph O’Donnell 1921; Claudie Seage 1903; Elizabeth Lees 1902; Roger Murphy 1909; Daniel Mayne 1911; Unknown Bridge 1922 (stone is missing); Elsie Lillian Kennedy 1918; Hannah Mary Dibley 1906; Mary Power 1911; Abraham Joseph (Abie) Wade 1921; Edward Joseph Kevin 1921; Dominick English 1921; Mary Alice McJntosh 1924; Gertrude Gleeson 1923; Mary Havenhand 1927; Nora Wiblin 1934; Eugene Joseph Brassil 1928; Michael Brassil 1930; Christopher Culnane 1925; Mary Riley 1919; Mary Agnes Kirk 1874; John Reddan 1876; John McLaughlin 1889; Anne McPhee 1905; Elizabeth Stewart 1880; Fanny Maguire 1875; Thomas Staunton 1880; Catherine Mullampy 1895; Anna Brodie 1905; Henry Cook 1877; John McAviney 1877; William O’Connor 1895; Unknown .. next to Mcrorey 1874; Matthew Hade 1848. Also a footstone at the end of a double grave found in Section C has no name, foot plate white marble “Erected by his loving sons”
* CHURCH OF ENGLAND: William Hartshorn 1855; John Hughes 184?; James Willoughby Dowloing 1849; Charles Corry 1848; Mary Black 1853; Harold Stanley Cheffins 1896; Julia Gertrude Stewart 1872; lsabella Blanche Steel 1941; Watson Augustus Steel 1946; Nicholas Boden 1896; John Wilson 1873; George Moxon 1867; John Joseph Stevens 1901; George Henry Green 1899; Thomas Laskett 1920; Ronald Hassall 1880; Jane Knight 1876; Halwyn Young 1875; Mary Burton 1862; Maude Mary Oates 1868; Sophia Rendall 1888; Caroline Rendall 1882; Sarah Rendall 1874; Edward Sise 1861; Mary Butler 1848.