snippets

AW Mullen surveyed the Lightning Ridge Cemetery in December 1907, Reserve No.42580 was issued in January 1908, and trustees were appointed.

A track running north/south divided the specified areas for Roman Catholics and Unsectarians on the western side from the eastern side, the area closest to the main road.

This area was reserved for the Church of England, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, Independents and Jews. The survey included extension area.

By 1945 nearly 50 burials had been registered but no recorded cemetery plot plan existed.

It was noted that there were about 17 graves with headstones or fences around them, mostly on the eastern side nearest the road.

However, local resident Artie Bruce advised that he knew of countless people buried in all portions of the cemetery without much segregation on religious grounds.

In 1967, an amendment of the Local Government Act, 1919, moved the care, control and management of the cemetery into the hands of Walgett shire from the trusteeship.

Bob Molyneux began the wheels turning for a local funeral advisory service. He contacted Narrabri, home of district survey records, and a man was sent out to walk the cemetery with Bob.

The vacant area nearest the eastern gate remains empty because it was inaccessible in times of flood and probably accommodates many graves.

Because no burial plan existed, a scramble was made to retrieve knowledge from old-timers. A mud map of the plots was drawn-up from memory, the foundation of today's cemetery grid. Locals continued digging graves.

Bob managed the local burials using an old ambulance as a hearse, and at no profit, offered a burial service to locals in conjunction with Walgett Hospital and the undertaker.

In 1980, he formed the Funeral Advisory Service to provide reliable management of cemetery responsibilities. He and his great nephews were working tirelessly to provide the cheapest possible burials.

Don Johnson took over Molyneux's tasks in 1985.

The shire began digging graves.

Sue and Bob Bunker donated a body freezer in 1993. Bill Millington, Ian Woodcock, Helen Crawford and many others also deserve special recognition for the countless hours spent managing burials at the Ridge cemetery.

The new Outback Burial Books (2 volumes) are available for $40. Contact Glennis Canlin on 68292 440 should you wish to purchase your set.