Weed-covered grave 'a disgrace'

Bruce Ravenscroft, of Woodburn, visited the graves of family members at East Lismore Cemetery and was disgusted at the overgrown state of the surrounding areas.

Cathy Adams

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A SIXTH generation Northern Rivers resident has been visiting his father’s Lismore grave for decades, but is now struggling to find it for the weeds.

An angry Bruce Ravenscroft got the shock of his life at the state of East Lismore Cemetery this week.

“It is a disgrace,” he said.

“My son is also buried with my dad, and I have two aunties and my grandfather’s brother and wife here as well. The next time I go there I will take a scythe and reaping hook with me.”

Mr Ravenscroft, of Woodburn, emailed Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell on Sunday informing her of the situation and she has agreed to meet him on site tomorrow.

“We rely on the community to inform us of the things that need attention and it is very important we preserve and maintain such important sites,” Cr Dowell said.

“Unfortunately council can’t be everywhere and I thank Mr Ravenscroft for bringing this to our attention.”

Lismore City Council’s Charlie Crether, who managers the team responsible for maintaining East Lismore Cemetery, said his department only took over responsibility for the site two months ago but the heavy rain had prevented them accessing the steeper parts of the cemetery.

“It is a safety issue,” he said.

“It’s a struggle to get the ride-on up there at the moment, and when it’s this wet we can do more damage than good.

“It can cut up the ground or worse, slide into a grave and damage the stone work.

“Also, it is difficult to keep up with the prolific growth at this time of year.”

Mr Ravenscroft is having none of that and has demanded immediate action.

“When I returned from Vietnam in 1972 I was posted to the 41st Battalion next door for four years and I never ever saw it this bad.

“There were four blokes here working full-time and they didn’t have a ride-on. They took a real pride in their work back then.

“There are two generals buried here but I wouldn’t know where to find them now.

“There’s even a digger from the 1st Battalion from Gallipoli buried next to my father and son.

“If I can get up here in my Camry with highway tyres then they can get a ride-on here.”