Arrow Bronze is proud to offer a truly distinctive suite of memorialisation products, giving families the opportunity to create lasting Living Memories.
We are committed to delivering exceptional value, one-of-a-kind designs, and a personalised service experience.
As the memorialisation landscape continues to evolve, we recognise the importance of providing products that are not only unique and highly personal, but also meaningful and accessible.
Through close partnerships with leading manufacturers, Arrow Memorials has developed an exclusive collection that spans from accessible entry-level options to premium, luxury designs - helping our industry partners stand apart.
Arrow Bronze is the leading provider of bronze and aluminum plaques and accessories for the memorial sector in Australia.
We are committed to providing the highest quality Australian-made bronze plaques, supported by a service that helps families create “living memories.”
Each handcrafted bronze plaque memorial is touched by 30 sets of hands during the manufacturing process. Our experienced staff treat each memorial plaque with empathy, dignity and integrity.
For more information, please contact our team at customercare@arrowbronze.com.au.
e Aus cust
20 31
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2025
Founded December 1985
ACN 009 555 426
PRESIDENT
Dean Matthews
Geelong Cemeteries Trust
CEO
p: (03) 5249 3939
e: dm@gct.net.au
VICE PRESIDENT
Denise Ora
CEO, NSW Metropolitan Memorial Park
p: (02) 9661 5655
e: denise.ora@mmplm.com.au
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Steve Nobbs
Executive General Manager, Cemeteries & Crematoria, Invocare
p: (02) 9978 5200
e: steve.nobbs@invocare.com.au
Kristy Constantine
Chief Executive, Bunbury Cemetery Board
p: (08) 9721 3191
e: ce@bcb.wa.gov.au
Michael Robertson
Adelaide Cemeteries Authority, CEO
p: (08) 8139 7400
e: michael.robertson@aca.sa.gov.au
Kerena McDonald
Coordinator Cemetery Services
Toowoomba Regional Council
p: (07) 4688 6686
e: kerena.mcdonald@tr.qld.gov.au
Debbie Hedger
Coordinator Cemetery Services Sunshine
Coast Regional Council
p: (07) 5459 2300
e: debbie.hedger@sunshinecoast.qld. gov.au
ACCA SECRETARIAT
552 Victoria St, Wurundjeri Country, North Melbourne Victoria 3051
p: (03) 9969 7780
For information on advertising in ACCA News or to contribute content, please contact:
Alison Ronaldson, Editor at: admin@accaweb.com.au
Unless expressly stated the views put forward in ACCA News are not necessarily the considered views or policy of the Association or the Publisher, nor is the Association or the Publisher responsible for the claims of its advertisers.
Graphic Design by Dean O’Brien, NEO Published by ACCA Secretariat
Granite
Granite Walls
CORPORATE SPONSORS 2025
PAST PRESIDENTS HONOUR LIST
C Ashton Shirley (Dec)
October 1985 - June 1987
Graeme MacGill (Dec)
June 1987 - October 1987
Ian Roddick
October 1987 - October 1990
Kevin Crowden (Dec)
October 1990 - October 1993
David C Blake OAM
October 1993 - October 1997
Peter MacLean AM PSM JP
October 1997 - October 1999
Koos Adrichem
October 1999 - October 2001
Bruce Macumber
October 2001 - October 2003
James McKay
October 2003 - October 2005
Pieter den Boer
October 2005 - October 2007
Darryl Thomas OAM
October 2007 - October 2009
Brendan O’Connor
October 2009 - October 2010
Bryan Elliott
October 2010 - October 2012
Armen Mikaelian
October 2012 - October 2014
Peter O’Meara (Dec)
October 2014 - October 2016
Peter Deague
September 2016 - June 2017
Darryl Thomas OAM
June 2017 - October 2019
David Molloy
October 2019 - October 2022
Lauren Hardgrove
October 2022 - October 2025
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
As I have come to the end of my time not only as President, but also as a member of the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association (ACCA) Board, I find myself reflecting on the journey of the past nine years. It has been both a privilege and a challenge to serve in this role, and I leave with immense pride in what our industry has achieved and a deep sense of optimism about what lies ahead.
From the beginning, one of my driving priorities as President has been to bring all sides of this remarkable industry closer together. Too often, funeral directors and cemetery or crematoria staff have seen themselves as separate entities, working in parallel rather than in partnership. Yet in the eyes of families, we are one and the same. They do not distinguish between the person arranging their loved one’s funeral and the person preparing the cemetery or crematorium. For them, it is one continuous experience. When our two sides of the sector work hand in hand, we have the ability to create a seamless, personal, and meaningful experience at one of the most emotional times in their lives.
Strengthening Education and Training
One of the most significant achievements this year has been the launch of the ACCA Learning Hub—a dedicated online platform available to all members and their staff. This resource provides access to short and long courses, webinars, industry-specific materials, and an online community for connecting with peers.
The Learning Hub is very much a work in progress. The Board is committed to investing in its ongoing growth, with new courses and resources to be added regularly. If you have not yet enrolled, I strongly encourage you to do so by contacting admin@accaweb.com.au.
Beyond the Learning Hub, we have strengthened our engagement with government bodies, education providers, and industry partners to create more targeted training opportunities. In collaboration with
Services and Creative Skills Australia (SACSA), Funerals Australia and other key stakeholders, ACCA has been reviewing accredited training across the cemetery and funeral industries. Our shared goal has been to identify gaps, recommend improvements, and seek funding for the development of new courses.
While there is currently no regulation requiring formal training in our sector, the ACCA Board firmly believes that high-quality education benefits everyone. It improves service delivery for grieving families, builds staff capability, and helps attract new professionals to the industry.
Advocacy and Industry Partnerships
A strong focus during my tenure has been on strengthening relationships and building new ones across the wider death care sector, both domestically and internationally.
A particular highlight this year has been our closer collaboration with Funerals Australia. Together, we successfully advocated for the Australian Tax Office’s revised determination on GST for the supply of burial rights, an important outcome for our sector and a clear example of what can be achieved when associations work together with a united voice.
We have also partnered with the Master Stone Mason Association of Victoria and the New Zealand Master Monumental Masons Association to address cemetery monument safety and promote best practice. The tragic death of a young child in a UK cemetery highlighted the importance of ensuring monuments are constructed correctly and inspected regularly. Looking ahead to 2025 and 2026, ACCA will continue to develop resources and tools to help members create safer environments.
Our partnerships with academia, including the DeathTech team, have also grown in significance. These collaborations ensure our sector is represented in research and that valuable insights are shared with practitioners to guide better decision-making.
Member-Led Initiatives
Another milestone has been the establishment of the Australasian Safety Advisory Committee. This member-led body brings together leaders
from across Australia and New Zealand to identify safety concerns, share solutions, and provide practical guidance for the industry. The Committee’s insights will be shared through conferences, webinars, ACCA News, and the Learning Hub, further strengthening the resources available to members.
Collaboration and the Road Ahead
In recent months, there has been much discussion about the importance of ACCA and Funerals Australia working more closely together and forming stronger alliances. While these conversations are ongoing, the message is already clear: unity and collaboration are not optional extras, but essential for the health of our industry and the families we serve.
Formal agreements and partnerships at the organisational level are important, but real change happens on the ground, in the relationships between funeral directors, cemetery staff, and crematoria teams. I encourage every member to play their part in bridging the gap. Reach out to your local colleagues, invite them to your workplace, and explore ways to collaborate. By sharing knowledge and building mutual respect, we can create stronger working relationships and deliver better outcomes for families.
If both sides of our industry gain a deeper understanding of each other’s work, the result will be a more unified, cohesive, and effective sector. Families will benefit from a higher level of service, and we, as professionals, will benefit from the sense of belonging to a wider team united in purpose.
Closing Reflections
As my time on the ACCA Board has come to an end, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the colleagues, partners, and members who have supported me along the way. While I will be stepping down from my role at the end of this year, I remain deeply committed to this industry and the people within it.
Together, we have an opportunity to ensure that every family we serve experiences care, dignity, and professionalism of the highest standard. I have no doubt that if we continue to break down barriers and embrace collaboration, the future of our industry is in safe hands.
Finally, it gives me great pleasure to warmly welcome Dean Matthews as the newly elected ACCA President. Dean brings passion, fresh perspective, and a deep understanding of our sector. I have every confidence that under his leadership, ACCA will continue to grow, innovate, and serve members with excellence.
Yours Sincerely
Lauren Hardgrove ACCA President
ACCA President Dean Matthews
EDITORIAL
ARROW BRONZE: A PROUD AUSTRALIAN LEGACY IN MEMORIALISATION
For over 80 years, Arrow Bronze has been at the forefront of commemoration in Australia and New Zealand, recognised as the leading manufacturer of bronze plaques and a trusted partner to cemeteries, crematoria, government, and the funeral industry. What began as a small engraving workshop in the early 20th century has evolved into a progressive, innovative group setting new standards in memorialisation - expanding from bronze to gold, aluminium, architectural design, and beyond.
A Legacy Forged in Craftsmanship
The story of Arrow Bronze traces back to the early 1920s, when the Barr Brothers began mastering their art of fine engraving. By 1940, they founded K&R Barr General Engravers and Metal Workers, a humble enterprise that would later grow into the nation’s most trusted bronze memorial manufacturer. Over the following decades, their dedication to craftsmanship, quality, and innovation built a reputation that continues to define Arrow Bronze today.
From these origins, Arrow Bronze emerged as a pioneer in the Australian memorialisation sector, recognised not only for exceptional
product quality but also for forging genuine relationships with customers. Every plaque created is more than a product - it is a personal tribute, a permanent gesture of love and remembrance.
Innovation in Service: Arrow Script
To further enhance the customer experience, Arrow Bronze has developed Arrow Script, our dedicated online design and ordering system.
Recently enhanced with new features, Arrow Script now includes Arrow@Home—a unique function that allows cemeteries and wholesale customers to share a secure link directly with families. Families can design a personal and considered plaque in the comfort of their own home, before returning to consult with their planner. This makes the process more thoughtful, inclusive, and collaborative.
To guide our valued wholesale customers, Arrow Script also provides a series of step-bystep training videos within the system’s Help section.
Arrow Script reflects our commitment to combining innovation with compassion— helping families and industry partners alike create meaningful tributes with confidence and ease.
Leaders in Innovation and Technology
At Arrow Bronze, innovation and service are a constant focus as we expand our range of products to complement our bronze commemorative plaques.
We are also reimagining the experience of cemeteries and memorial parks through Smart Memorial Plaques (SMP). By combining the timelessness of bronze with digital technology, families can now connect memorials with photos, videos, and rich life stories via the ModUrn hybrid app. The latest version, SMP 2.0, includes GPS navigation and search functions, making it easier than ever to locate memorials and engage with meaningful, interactive tributes.
This innovation represents a significant step forward in modern memorialisation— offering service providers, cemeteries, and communities a way to evolve with the needs of families today while honouring the traditions of the past.
Commitment to Quality and the Environment
Every plaque produced by Arrow Bronze reflects an uncompromising commitment to quality. The company views each memorial as more than a product: it is a legacy, a reflection of a life lived and loved.
One of the key aspects of Arrow Bronze is its commitment to sustainability. In an age where consumers and producers are increasingly aware of their environmental footprint, Arrow Bronze uses responsibly sourced materials and production techniques.
As a responsible corporate company, Arrow Bronze is dedicated to protecting human health, natural resources, and the environment. This includes a commitment to improve the environmental performance of our operations and services continuously.
We have developed a closed-loop recycling program in partnership with a national recycler and report annually to the National Pollutant Inventory. Our sustainability practices include reusing consumables, recycled materials, water, and metal waste, while fume and dust collection systems minimise discharges. By embedding sustainability into every stage of production, Arrow Bronze balances tradition with responsibility—ensuring our legacy of craftsmanship continues while protecting the future.
Expanding Horizons in Memorialisation
While bronze plaques remain at the heart of its business, Arrow Bronze has broadened its scope to meet the diverse and evolving needs of customers.
We are delighted to announce the launch of a new Memorialisation Division, Arrow Memorials, offering a carefully curated range of Human and Pet Memorialisation products. With a focus on innovative and sustainable design, Arrow Memorials provides exceptional urns, keepsakes, and progressive memorialisation services to support families and pet parents across Australia and New Zealand.
“The new division represents an important development in the evolution of Arrow’s overall business. This allows us to deliver a diverse range of exceptional products to our customers, industry, and the broader market.”
Partnerships that Strengthen Service
Arrow Bronze also collaborates with trusted partners to deliver a full spectrum of memorialisation solutions. Through Morello Ashcroft, customers have access to an extensive portfolio of high-quality bronze, ceramic, porcelain, and synthetic marble products distributed across Australia and New Zealand.
Additionally, Arrow Bronze works alongside Cameo Memorials, a family business with more than 130 years of history in monumental masonry. Cameo Memorials supports families with the manufacture and supply of stone memorials, repairs, additional lettering, marble restoration, and expert advice—ensuring every aspect of memorial care is covered with professionalism and compassion.
Continuing the Tradition of Excellence
As memorialisation evolves, Arrow Bronze remains a steadfast leader and innovator. By combining its proud heritage with progressive thinking, the company continues to shape the way Australia and New Zealand honour and remember loved ones.
At its core, Arrow Bronze is not just in the business of manufacturing plaques—it is in the business of preserving memories, celebrating legacies, and providing comfort to families in their time of need. With Australian-made quality, a dedication to sustainability, and a spirit of innovation, Arrow Bronze proudly carries forward a tradition of excellence that began more than a century ago.
Discover our story, and together let’s continue creating enduring living memories.
ACCA NEWS
MID YEAR SEMINAR WRAP UP
Day one of The ACCA mid-year event in Brisbane brought together industry leaders, suppliers, and professionals for a day filled with learning, networking, and practical demonstrations. Held at the beautiful Mt Gravatt Cemetery, the event showcased the latest trends, safety practices, and cultural insights shaping our sector.
The day opened with a warm welcome and an opportunity to explore the Trade Show and Supplier Displays, giving attendees valuable face-to-face time with our valued sponsors.
A strong focus on education followed, featuring updates from ACCA, Service and Creative Skills Australia, and a series of sponsor presentations highlighting innovation and support within our community.
The Office of Australian War Graves provided a thoughtful session on commemorative standards, followed by the opening of the much-anticipated Phoenix Foundry Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to the profession.
Morning tea allowed for more networking before the program delved into crucial topics such as Public Health, Death & Innovation - a session that explored the evolving landscape of death care and technology.
One of the most impactful sessions came from Alan Newey of CNB Safety, who shared his raw and inspiring personal story of living with a life-changing workplace injury. His honesty about the physical, emotional, and social challenges following the loss of his right arm resonated deeply with attendees, reinforcing the importance of safety in every aspect of our work.
The program also embraced cultural diversity with Dr Mohammed Iqbal Sultan offering a comprehensive look into Muslim funeral practices. His insights underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in cemetery and funeral operations.
ACCA NEWS
MID YEAR SEMINAR WRAP UP
Throughout the day, expert voices like Dr Hannah Gould - a cultural anthropologist from the DeathTech Research Team and Lisa Herbert, author of The Bottom Drawer Book, sparked engaging conversations about innovation and consumer advocacy in death care.
The day wrapped up with a relaxed dinner at The Embassy Hotel, giving attendees the chance to continue discussions and build connections with industry peers.
On the second day, delegates embarked on a cultural and historical journey to North Stradbroke Island. After a scenic ferry ride from Cleveland, attendees were welcomed at the Community Hall by ACCA CEO Ben Kelly,
followed by a Welcome to Country from Uncle Raymond Walker and a greeting from Ranger Stacey Thomson (Redland City Council).
The highlight of the morning was a presentation by Quandamooka Elder Dale Ruska, who shared the rich traditions of traditional funeral rites and customs of the Quandamooka People. His presentation and Q&A offered an extraordinary opportunity to learn directly from the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Minjerribah about their enduring cultural practices and perspectives on death, burial, and care for Country.
After a beautiful lunch at the Little Ship Club, delegates visited the historic Dunwich Cemetery on a guided tour led by the North Stradbroke Island Museum (on behalf of Redland City Council). This moving experience revealed the stories of more than 8,500 unmarked graves of former residents from the Dunwich Benevolent Asylum.
The day concluded with the return ferry journey to the mainland.
This year’s mid-year event was a celebration of learning, cultural respect, and professional growth. From cutting-edge innovation and safety insights to deep cultural engagement on Minjerribah, the event reminded us of the important role our profession plays in honoring the past, caring for the present, and preparing for the future.
ACCA would like to thank all the team at Brisbane City Council, Redland City Council, the speakers, sponsors, and delegates who contributed to making this event such a success. We look forward to welcoming you at next years mid year seminar!
ACCA NEWS
MID YEAR SEMINAR WRAP UP
ACCA NEWS
ACCA CONFERENCE DELEGATES TAKE ON THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE
As part of the 2025 ACCA Annual Conference, delegates were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience: climbing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. This exclusive activity, held on Sunday 14 September, brought together a select group of conference attendees to see Sydney from an entirely new perspective.
With perfect weather setting the scene, delegates donned their climbing suits and safety gear before embarking on the journey to the summit. Along the way, expert climb leaders shared stories of the bridge’s rich history, its engineering feats, and its place as one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks. Reaching the top of the arch, delegates were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the city skyline. A truly unforgettable highlight of the conference.
The BridgeClimb was more than just a sightseeing adventure; it embodied the conference theme, “Shared Purpose, Stronger Future”, offering delegates the chance to step outside the meeting rooms, challenge themselves, and strengthen professional and personal connections in a unique setting.
The excitement didn’t stop there. Thanks to the generous support of ACCA Silver Sponsor Facultatieve Technologies Australasia, a second Bridge Climb session was held on the evening of Wednesday 17 September, allowing even more delegates to enjoy this extraordinary experience.
Facultatieve Technologies Australasia hosted their guests on the climb, creating a memorable opportunity for networking while showcasing their ongoing commitment to supporting innovation and engagement within the bereavement sector. Delegates valued the chance to connect with colleagues in such
an inspiring and adventurous environment, reflecting the sponsor’s dedication to building meaningful relationships across the industry.
ACCA thanks Facultatieve Technologies Australasia for their support, generosity, and commitment to enriching the delegate experience at the 2025 Annual Conference. Both climbs were standout moments of the 2025 ACCA Annual Conference, combining adventure with the stunning beauty of Sydney. Whether it was a first-time climb or a return to the summit, delegates left with lasting memories and a renewed appreciation for the bridges we build, both literally and within our profession.
ACCA NEWS
ACCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
From Sunday 14th until Wednesday 17th September, the ACCA Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition brought together over 200 delegates at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth for three days of learning, collaboration, and connection. Our theme this year “Shared Purpose, Stronger Future: A Collaborative Approach to Death Care.”
The event united industry leaders, academics, and professionals from across Australia and abroad for keynote presentations, interactive workshops, sector updates, and a dynamic trade exhibition, all focused on strengthening and shaping the future of death care.
The conference commenced on Sunday evening with Welcome Drinks in the Trade Exhibition space, setting a warm and collaborative tone for the days ahead. Delegates enjoyed reconnecting with old friends, making new connections, meeting exhibitors, and preparing for a full program. Oh and of course, the welcome drinks!
Day One opened with an official welcome from Minister Stephen Kamper MP, followed by UK funeral director John Adams, who shared his inspiring campaign to see bereavement and grief education incorporated into school curriculums worldwide.
Delegates boarded buses, where the afternoon featured an exclusive tour of the newly opened Macarthur Memorial Park, where delegates gained behind-the-scenes insights into one of Australia’s most significant new memorial developments. From heritage integration and sustainable landscape design, the experience
embodied the 2025 theme of collaboration and future-focused practice. The experience was made even more special with a smoking ceremony and a presentation from Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria CEO and past ACCA President, Lauren Hardgrove. The day concluded with a cocktail van and canapés –the perfect way to celebrate the opening of this amazing event.
Other Day One highlights included the Funerals Australia update with President Asha Dooley, the Phoenix Foundry Excellence Award Presentation, and sponsor showcases from Arrow Bronze and Facultatieve Technologies.
Day Two turned attention to safety, training, and wellbeing. Highlights included Wayne Middleton (Reliance Risk) on lessons from the Macarthur amalgamation, and James Wood (CNB Safe), who shared his powerful lived experience of a workplace injury.
Delegates then had the opportunity to dive deeper through a series of interactive workshops. Sal’s Good Mourning Workshop, proudly sponsored by Final Touch Australia, offered a practical and hands-on approach to helping staff better understand grieving clients and create safe, meaningful interactions across the client journey. Former journalist and PR expert Tony Nicholls (Good Talent Media) delivered a dynamic session on building a strong public profile, managing media relationships, and protecting organisational reputation during times of crisis. Luke Pepperell (Relationships Australia Victoria) led a two-hour session exploring the growing importance of psychological wellbeing in the workplace, providing strategies, tools, and an understanding of national requirements to better support both staff and employers. Meanwhile, Colin Wilson guided delegates through effective ways to strengthen stakeholder relationships with council members, funeral directors, and colleagues by improving communication, building credibility, and focusing on what best supports families.
The day concluded with the elegant Official Networking Dinner, proudly sponsored by Platinumn sponsor Arrow Bronze, where colleagues strengthened connections in a relaxed and stylish setting. The new ACCA Board was officially announced, with Dean Matthews elected as ACCA President and Denise Ora appointed Vice President. The Board was also pleased to welcome two new Directors, Kerena McDonald and Debbie Hedger. At the same time, we acknowledged the contributions of Robert Moore, stepping down from his role as Director, and Lauren Hardgrove, who concluded her term as ACCA President. Both Robert and Lauren have given invaluable time, energy, and leadership to the Association, and ACCA extends its deepest gratitude for their dedication, vision, and commitment to strengthening and advancing our sector. In addition to an evening of celebration, the dinner also provided an opportunity to give back. Thanks to the generosity of Arrow Bronze, industry leaders, and colleagues, together an outstanding $20,000 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) – a contribution that will help fund vital research and support initiatives in the fight against ovarian cancer.
Day Three began with an optional guided tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens, before moving into sessions focused on research, regulation, and innovation. Delegates heard critical updates from Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW, followed by a fascinating presentation from Dr Maiken Ueland and the AFTER team. Delegates learned about the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) the nation’s only human body donation centre dedicated to studying how humans decompose in Australian conditions. Their groundbreaking research provides essential insights for forensic science, policing, and the broader death care sector, contributing to advances in both investigation and understanding of human remains in unique climates.
The program also featured the Annual Lecture of the Australian Death Studies Society, delivered by Dr Lauren Breen, who invited delegates to imagine a world that recognises, validates, and supports young people’s grief. Her powerful presentation highlighted the often-overlooked experiences of children and young people navigating loss, challenging the sector to provide more inclusive, compassionate, and age-appropriate grief care practices.
The day closed with innovation strategist Jason Clark, who encouraged delegates to embrace change and explore new possibilities for leadership and transformation within the sector.
Breakout sessions across the conference covered sustainability, placemaking, psychological wellbeing, compliance, and investment, ensuring every professional found relevant and practical insights to take back to their organisations.
The event concluded with the announcement of the 2026 ACCA Conference venue which will take place from 1 – 4 September 2026 at the Royal Pines on the Gold Coast. There were final prize draws from exhibitors/sponsors leaving delegates with fresh knowledge, new connections, and a renewed commitment to our shared purpose.
Alongside the conference program, the Trade Exhibition provided a vibrant space for delegates to connect with leading suppliers, explore new products, and discover the latest innovations shaping the future of cemeteries and crematoria.
ACCA thanks platinum sponsor Arrow Bronze, Gold Sponsor – Phoenix Foundry, Silver Sponsor – Facultatieve Technologies, Bronze sponsors – Worssell & Co, Fu Shou Yuan, Plotbox, Orthometals, Final Touch Australia and General sponsors – Norwalk, Hyqual & Beyond by Opusxenta, all trade exhibitors, speakers, and delegates who contributed to the success of this year’s Conference & Trade Exhibition. ACCA would also like to thank National Granite for sponsoring the coffee cart for the duration of the event, Facultatieve Technologies for sponsoring the Sydney Bridge climb & Final Touch Australia for sponsoring the Good Mourning workshops.
Together, we continue to build a stronger, more sustainable future for death care in Australia and beyond.
CEO UPDATE
The past few months have been some of the busiest of the year for the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association (ACCA).
In July, we held our Mid-Year Event in Brisbane, which was a great success and a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and share insights across the sector. Our focus then shifted to preparations for the Annual Conference which was held from 14 -17 September and was one of our most engaging and collaborative events yet. Alongside these major milestones, we have also been undertaking the important task of reviewing and updating our constitution which was shared and announced at our Annual General Meeting.
While much of this work has been administrative, I have been fortunate to balance it with opportunities to meet members, speak at events, and visit cemeteries around the country. These experiences remind me of why I love this role: being out in the community, learning from our members, and representing our industry both nationally and internationally.
Regional Engagement
One of the highlights in recent months has been the chance to meet with the cemetery teams at Whitsunday Regional Council and Bundaberg Regional Council. These visits provided valuable insights into the unique challenges of managing regional cemeteries, where resourcing, geography, and distance often bring additional complexities. It was a privilege to offer guidance on topics such as monument permitting and inspections, and to hear first-hand about the work being done to support local communities.
Meeting members face-to-face remains one of the most rewarding parts of this job. Every visit deepens my understanding of the challenges you face and strengthens our ability as an Association to provide practical support. Most recently, I spent time with the teams at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Boroondara Cemetery in Melbourne. Both are excellent examples of how cemeteries are evolving into multi-purpose community assets—places of remembrance, reflection, and connection that extend well beyond their traditional role.
Sharing Our Story
Another priority has been sharing the story of our sector with the wider community. In recent months, I have spoken at several community and industry forums, including the Stories in Stone conference for cemetery friends’ groups, as well as the National Funeral Directors Conference in Brisbane and several Funerals Australia state division events in Queensland and the ACT.
At these events, I’ve highlighted the work ACCA is undertaking, particularly in education and through the National Safety Advisory Committee. A key theme has been the importance of cemeteries and funeral directors working more closely together. While our roles may differ, to families in need we are part of the same journey. By strengthening collaboration and improving understanding of each other’s work, we can deliver a better, more compassionate experience for the communities we serve.
International Connections
Our sector is not unique in the challenges we face, and it has been enlightening to share knowledge with international partners. I was honoured to deliver a presentation to members of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) in the United Kingdom, even if the session did require a midnight start time from here in Australia! Despite the distance, the similarities between our industries were striking. Issues such as limited space, shifting community expectations, and the maintenance of ageing cemeteries and monuments are challenges we all share.
We are continuing to strengthen our ties with ICCM, with more knowledge-sharing sessions planned in the months ahead. I also recently met with the New Zealand Master Monumental Masons Association and the Victorian Master Stonemasons Association. These discussions focused on how we can work together to improve standards for monumental structures in cemeteries. By collaborating across associations, we can create a safer, more sustainable sector and address ongoing concerns about unqualified or rogue operators.
A Personal Note
Beyond official meetings and conferences, I have also been privileged to support members on a personal level. Recently, I joined Darren Meinen from City of Moreton Bay Council as he completed the BVRT 100-mile ultramarathon. Watching Darren push through challenge after challenge to achieve a personal best was incredibly inspiring. His determination and resilience reflect the very qualities I see every day across our sector: perseverance, commitment, and an unwavering drive to serve our communities.
Looking Ahead
As another successful Annual Conference has come to an end, I want to thank our members for your ongoing commitment and support. Each visit, conversation, and event has reinforced the importance of the work you do and the value of our collective efforts to strengthen this sector.
Whether through revising our constitution, building stronger partnerships, or sharing knowledge internationally, ACCA’s focus remains clear: to support our members and ensure cemeteries and crematoria continue to serve families and communities with dignity, safety, and compassion.
Warm regards,
Ben Kelly Chief Executive Officer
ACCA EDUCATION
LEARNING THAT SUPPORTS YOU, YOUR TEAM, AND OUR SECTOR
At ACCA, we know that the work you and your teams do every day is both vital and deeply meaningful. Supporting grieving families, managing sensitive conversations, and ensuring everything runs smoothly, these are not easy tasks. That’s why we’ve created the ACCA Education Online Learning Hub, developed in partnership with Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV).
The Hub is your dedicated space for self-paced, sector-specific learning, designed to make life easier for you and your staff. Whether it’s a new team member finding their feet or an experienced professional looking to refresh their skills, the Hub is here to help.
Why Our Learning Hub Makes a Difference
We built this platform with one goal in mind: to support our members and strengthen our sector.
Here’s what you can expect:
• Practical, Relevant Training – Courses created for our industry, by leading experts.
• Flexible Learning – Staff can learn when it suits them, without disrupting their day.
• Professional Growth at Every Stage –From onboarding to leadership, there’s something for everyone.
• A Consistent Approach to Care – Help your team feel confident and supported, so families feel the same.
The Hub already includes courses on grief support, communication, customer care, and psychological safety and we’ve recently added Work Health and Safety (WHS) courses too, with more coming soon!
And here’s the best part: access to the Learning Hub is included in your ACCA membership. No extra cost, no extra admin, we make it clear and simple.
Getting your team signed up to the learning hub is simple. Just send us their names and email addresses, and we’ll create their accounts, send the logins, and have them ready to learn in no time, making the Hub an easy, stress-free part of your onboarding process!
What’s Coming Up –ACCA Education Live Online Workshops
Alongside the Learning Hub, we’ve developed a series of interactive online workshops designed to give your team the confidence, skills, and practical strategies they need to thrive. These sessions go beyond self-paced learning, providing real-time engagement with expert facilitators and opportunities to apply new knowledge in meaningful ways.
While the Learning Hub is included in your ACCA membership, these workshops are offered at an additional cost and they’re well worth the investment in your team’s professional growth.
Here’s a look at the upcoming sessions, each tailored to strengthen capability, build confidence, and support the critical work your staff deliver every day
Leadership Masterclass: Vicarious Trauma for Leaders
Date: Tuesday, 7 October 2025
Time: 12:30pm – 2:30pm AEDT
Lead with resilience. This practical masterclass helps supervisors and managers recognise the signs of vicarious trauma, protect their own mental health, and create strong, supportive teams in a challenging sector.
Supporting Grieving Clients
Date: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm AEDT
Turn empathy into action. This workshop equips staff with the tools to communicate with care, set healthy boundaries, and provide meaningful support to families experiencing grief while maintaining their own emotional wellbeing.
Build your confidence in client interactions. Learn practical strategies for listening, supporting, and guiding families through some of life’s hardest moments. To register your team for any workshop or to get them connected to the Learning Hub, email admin@ accaweb.com.au with their names and email addresses. We’ll handle the rest.
Because when your staff feel supported, equipped, and confident, the whole sector benefits and so do the families we care for.
Tour ECN 2026
Join us for an inspiring week of technical visits, industry networking, and international exchange in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, culminating in the European Cremation Network Conference in Düsseldorf.
Following the success of last year’s trip, Orthometals is excited to offer another exceptional learning experience in 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and explore.
ACCA MEMBERS NEWS
BRIDGING CULTURES & INNOVATIONS: LESSONS FROM THE CHINA CEMETERY DELEGATION STUDY TOUR
In May 2025, ACCA, in conjunction with Everlon Bronze, led the first official international cemetery study tour to China, bringing together 15 senior delegates from across Australia’s cemetery operators and industry suppliers. The tour, spanning four cities—Xiamen, Beijing, Weifang, and Shanghai—offered a rare and immersive look into the evolving landscape of Chinese memorialisation, cemetery design, and sustainable practices.
A Strategic Exploration of Tradition and Transformation
Far beyond a cultural exchange, the tour offered a strategic exploration of how China is navigating the intersection of tradition, urbanisation, and innovation in end-of-life practices. China’s rapidly urbanising landscape presents unique challenges in balancing tradition with practicality.
The tour offered rare access to a spectrum of cemetery models—from luxury memorial parks with private, personalised monuments to civic cemeteries designed to address affordability and land scarcity. Delegates observed how Chinese cemeteries are adapting to modern realities while preserving deep-rooted cultural and spiritual values.
Policy Innovation: A Blueprint for Urban Cemetery Planning
One of the tour’s most compelling insights was China’s policy-driven approach to land scarcity. The government’s 20-year renewable tenure system, coupled with strict plot size regulations (0.5 sqm for individuals, 0.8 sqm for doubles, and a height cap of 80 cm), showcases a forward-thinking strategy that respects cultural norms while addressing urban planning challenges. These policies promote equitable access, discourage excess, and optimise land use—offering valuable lessons for Australia’s own urban cemetery planning.
Designing with Purpose: Excellence Meets Cultural Reverence
Cemetery design in China is deeply influenced by Feng Shui principles, with layouts that harmonise with natural landscapes and
spiritual energy. Sites like Tianshou Cemetery in Beijing and Song He Cemetery in Shanghai exemplify this approach, blending Eastern and Western architectural styles to create tranquil, contemplative environments.
Terraced landscapes, native flora, and water features were common design elements, especially in eco-cemeteries such as Everlon Memorial Park in Weifang and Hui Long Cemetery in Shanghai. These sites prioritise sustainability through the use of recycled materials, energy-efficient facilities, and green burial zones.
Looking Ahead
The ACCA China Study Tour was more than an educational experience—it was a catalyst for transformation. It demonstrated how cultural respect, policy innovation, and design excellence can coexist to meet the evolving needs of modern societies.
Observations included the use of composite materials like glass and plastic, scalable niche models for lower-income urban populations, and ash scattering gardens designed for spiritual and environmental harmony.
Digital Memorialisation: Honouring Legacies in the Digital Age
The tour also spotlighted China’s embrace of digital innovation in memorial services. AI-generated biographies, virtual tribute platforms, and scalable niche models are redefining how families commemorate loved ones—especially in densely populated urban areas. These technologies enhance accessibility, personalisation, and emotional connection, pointing to a future where digital and physical memorialisation coexist seamlessly.
Building Bridges: Strengthening Global Industry
Ties
Beyond the cemetery sites and digital systems, the tour fostered meaningful professional relationships. ACCA’s formal engagement with the Chinese Cemetery and Funeral Association lays the foundation for ongoing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual growth. This cross-cultural dialogue is vital as both nations confront similar challenges in urbanisation, sustainability, and cultural diversity.
As Australia grapples with its own urbanisation and cultural diversity, the lessons from China offer a roadmap for reimagining cemetery services. By embracing sustainable planning, design innovation, and cultural relevance, the industry can evolve to meet the needs of future generations while honouring the past.
Acknowledgement and Appreciation
ACCA extends its sincere thanks to the management and staff of Everlon Bronze in both Australia and China for their thoughtful coordination and support in delivering an immersive cultural experience for industry representatives. Their efforts were instrumental in facilitating meaningful industry engagement and a deeper understanding of cemetery innovation across borders.
Cemeteries Visited:
Tianshou Cemetery, Beijing
Jiugongshan Great Wall Memorial Park, Beijing
Everlon Memorial Park, Weifang
Qing Pu Fu Shou Yuan Cemetery, Shanghai
Song He Cemetery, Shanghai
Qing Zhu Cemetery, Shanghai
Hui Long Cemetery, Shanghai
ACCA MEMBER NEWS
CARR
VILLA MEMORIAL PARK MASTERPLAN ENDORSED: A SUSTAINABLE VISION FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS
The City of Launceston has formally endorsed the Carr Villa Memorial Park Masterplan, establishing a clear, long-term vision for one of Tasmania’s most significant and historic cemetery and crematorium sites. For nearly 120 years, Carr Villa Memorial Park has served as Launceston’s principal place of interment. The newly endorsed Masterplan provides a forwardthinking strategy that balances future interment demand with the preservation of the site’s environmental, cultural, and community values.
Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the Masterplan was the result of in-depth consultation with the community, stakeholders, and industry experts in environmental planning and cemetery operations.
“Carr Villa is a place of deep cultural and personal meaning for so many,” Mayor Garwood said.
“This Masterplan is shaped by community voices, expert advice, and a shared commitment to preserving the site’s integrity while planning responsibly for the future.”
Key features of the Masterplan include:
• A strategic approach to ensuring interment capacity for the next 50 years, supported by changing trends in cremation and memorialisation.
• Practical enhancements to improve the visitor experience, including reflection seating, accessible facilities, improved signage, and a new space for quiet contemplation near the Children’s Cemetery.
• Ongoing community engagement to inform the development of inclusive and culturally appropriate burial and ash placement options.
• A commitment that all future development will be guided by demonstrated need and subject to rigorous environmental assessment and Council approval.
• Stronger protection of native bushland areas, guided by the Carr Villa Bushland Management Plan.
• Opportunities for new partnerships to conserve heritage values and enhance community education around death, remembrance, and environmental stewardship.
Eve Gibbons, Business Leader of Carr Villa Memorial Park, said community feedback played a key role in shaping a Masterplan that strengthens Carr Villa’s long-term role as Launceston’s principal cemetery.
“We’ve listened closely to the community and carefully considered their input,” she said.
“This Masterplan provides the clarity and confidence we need to continue delivering high-quality interment services while enhancing the visitor experience across the site.”
Ms Gibbons said the plan also responds to changing preferences, with cremation and memorialisation trends influencing future capacity planning.
“These shifts in interment choices mean we can make more considered use of the space we have, allowing Carr Villa to continue serving the community for generations to come,” she said.
“Carr Villa is a place where memory, meaning, and community care come together, and this Masterplan ensures we’re prepared for the future while staying true to our purpose.”
ACCA MEMBERS NEWS
WOLSTON PARK MENTAL HOSPITAL - WHERE ARE THE REMAINS OF THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS?
Next month, the Queensland Government will be handed a document 159 years in the making.
When an inquiry into the Wolston Park Mental Hospital on Brisbane’s outskirts was announced last year, the review was inundated by members of the public who wanted to know where their distant family members were buried. Originally interred in the hospital’s three cemeteries, many are thought to have been exhumed and lost.
A memorial plaque in a back corner of the nearby Goodna Cemetery reads “In memory of all those who died at Brisbane Mental Hospital and whose final resting place is unknown”.
There are no available government records that disclose the number of burials or their names. How could the whereabouts of thousands of unnamed mental patients who died within a state government institution be undocumented? Down the rabbit hole I went, researching, blogging, and hoping to unearth the stories of these forgotten people and Queensland’s overlooked history of the final disposition of those who died in institutionalised care.
While the review’s scope is only to examine health services provided at the Hospital between the 1950s and 1990s, the public interest in the missing remains was too much for the inquiry to ignore. I was called upon by the review’s leader, Professor Robert Bland AM, to share my research.
Wolston Park’s three cemeteries
Cemetery 1. The first cemetery was on floodprone land where Woogaroo Creek meets the Brisbane River. An anonymous contributor to the Queensland Times (25 Feb 1869) got it right when they wrote, “The graveyard is on the bank of the river, and the first flood will take all the dead lunatics down to Brisbane”.
Cemetery 2. After being inundated by at least two large floods in the 1890s, a second cemetery was established on much higher ground.
An article in the Queensland Times on 22 Oct 1910 reports that the second cemetery was closed to make room for two new wards, but “Dr Ellerton had all the remains carefully exhumed and reinterred in the third cemetery”.
A subsequent article in The Telegraph on 30 June 1911 quoted Home Secretary J. G. Appel as saying, “the bodies removed numbered 198”.
Brisbane historian Thom Blake’s ‘Wolston Park – Police Academy Cultural Heritage Survey’ estimates that more than 1500 people died at the institution between 1895 and 1912 and were presumably buried in the second cemetery, possibly the third cemetery. In summary: 1500 dead, most buried on site, 198 reportedly exhumed.
Cemetery 3. Patients were buried in this cemetery on the hospital’s north-eastern outskirts from the early 1910s. The hospital’s annual reports show patient deaths averaged more than 150 per year. It’s a fair assumption that most were buried at the hospital – at least 4,000.
Their grave markers were crude concrete blocks, no more than one-and-a-half feet high, with only a number and the letter A (for asylum) or LA (lunatic asylum).
The closure of the third cemetery and mass exhumations
In 1945, the almost-full third cemetery was closed to improve the view from the new Repatriation Pavilion for “mentally unbalanced and war-affected” soldiers.
There are no available government records that indicate how many patients were exhumed from the third cemetery. A frontpage article in The Queensland Times (29 Nov 1946) reported, “The mass exhumation of 2,800 bodies from the Goodna Mental Hospital Cemetery to the Goodna Public Cemetery is half completed”.
On 11 Dec 1946, the then Minister for Health Mr T Foley told Parliament that the “work of exhumation is being performed by an employee of the hospital, assisted by four borderline patients who volunteered to assist to do the work”.
Local oral histories
The Goodna Cemetery Trust has records of around 200 reinterments from the hospital cemetery. Trust secretary, Ipswich Cr Paul Tully said he was told by former hospital worker and later council alderman Ted Richardson that those 200-or-so people were buried at Goodna with a proper burial. Ted said that those who had been buried for more than 30 years were not exhumed and that there had been a cleanup at the hospital in the 70s with all burial records destroyed.
Meantime, a teenage apprentice carpenter who worked at Wolston Park in the late 1940s and early 50s told me that he made hundreds of small wooden boxes that were used to hold the exhumed patient remains.
Ferg Brindley explained that “They didn’t dig the whole coffin up. They dug down, smashed the top open and took the remains out and put them in a box. As far as I know, all the coffins are still there. But I imagine there are still some whole corpses there. I doubt if they removed the whole lot.”
He said that the boxes of remains were buried end to end in trenches at Goodna Cemetery. (Ossuaries/boxes buried in trenches is not an uncommon technique for mass reinterments.)
“I saw the trenches open … the trenches weren’t very deep – a metre, metre-and-a-half. It’s easy digging - sand,” he told me.
Using Ferg’s recollections, maps, and aerial photos, the site of the trenches seems to be in the vicinity of the cemetery’s Sinclair Memorial Garden. I relayed this information and a transcript of my interview with the former employee to the Goodna Cemetery Trust in 2021.
The hospital’s cemeteries today
Over the years, the sites of cemeteries 2 and 3 have been significantly encroached upon. Now under the jurisdiction of the Queensland Police Service, these former cemetery sites are acknowledged on the Queensland Heritage Register as having the potential to “yield information about the treatment of deceased patients and burial practices at the hospital; spatial distribution and arrangement of graves; and the extent and methods of reinterments”.
Those cemetery sites and the remains that lie within are an important part of our history, as are the grave markers that make up part of the memorial, standing in a faraway corner of the Goodna Cemetery. For so many, the only record of their unfortunate existence was relegated to a number, their names and identities lost.
Lisa Herbert is a cemetery tour operator and journalist, blogger and author of The Bottom Drawer Book: the action death plan. If you have any information about the Wolston Park hospital burials, please get in touch via Lisa@thebottomdrawerbook.com.au
ACCA MEMBERS NEWS
CENTENNIAL PARK CEO
Centennial Park is pleased to announce the appointment of our new CEO, following a robust and comprehensive recruitment process, which attracted a highly competitive mix of both industry and nonindustry professionals from across Australia.
We are delighted to announce that Nadia Andjelkovic has been appointed as the new CEO of Centennial Park.
As Centennial Park’s CFO for over six years, Nadia is a highly accomplished and strategic executive, contributing to the strategic direction of Centennial Park through her leadership of finance, risk and technology.
As CEO, Nadia will build on a base of strong values driven culture and respected brand, to lead Centennial Park’s dedicated team through a shared sense of direction as we serve our families with care and compassion.
A key contributor to the Park’s achievements during this time, Nadia’s appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in her commercial acumen, compassion for the community we serve and extensive understanding of the broader business operations of Centennial Park.
The Centennial Park Board are delighted with Nadia’s appointment and are excited to work closely with her to support Centennial Park’s ongoing success as South Australia’s premier cemetery and memorial park.
ACCA MEMBERS NEWS
THE FUTURE FOR TALLEGALLA CEMETERY – MOVING FROM REACTIVE TO PROACTIVE PLOT SUPPLY
Tallegalla Cemetery, located in the city of Ipswich, Queensland, was first established in 1876 and has local heritage significance due to its association with early settlement of the area, and for the aesthetic value of many of the monuments. The cemetery has long been appreciated for its peaceful semi-rural location and extended scenic views to the surrounding ranges.
The site includes historic monumental burial areas and contemporary lawn burials, as well as columbarium walls and memorial gardens. On average the cemetery receives 15 burials and 11 ashes placements per year. Demand has been increasing but has stalled due to limited capacity. No active promotion of this cemetery has occurred, and the site is generally utilised by extended families of current and past residents of the surrounding areas. However, as the population increases within the region, awareness and further demand for this picturesque location is expected.
Until recently, the newest section of the cemetery opened for burials in 2006. Four lawn beams were installed providing 80 lawn burial plots. Additional lawn beams were added in 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020 on an as-needed basis. This approach was not sustainable and risked limiting the future orderly development of new areas.
In 2021 a review of the current and future state of the Tallegalla Cemetery was commenced. At that time, only 18 plots on established lawn beams remained and again immediate action was required to address demand. Additionally, available spaces within the existing columbarium walls and gardens were quickly diminishing. Formal consideration
was required to address short- and long-term demand in a coordinated manner.
Ipswich City Council worked closely with our operations partner, Norwood Park Pty Ltd trading as Ipswich Cemeteries, and consulted broadly with the community, funeral directors, and local interest groups to develop a plan that would address immediate capacity and servicing issues, and future proof the site for generations to come. In 2022, council adopted the Tallegalla Cemetery Concept Design Master Plan that would guide development of the site.
In July 2025, council completed stage 1 of the Tallegalla Cemetery expansion. From design to delivery, the project was a collaboration of multiple council officers and teams. Coming off the back of completing an expansion of our Warrill Park Lawn Cemetery, council’s construction and landscaping crews had become experienced in the level of attention and care required to work in an operational cemetery. Being able to deliver this project ‘in-
house’ helped to control costs and improved quality outcomes. Despite several rain delays, the project was delivered on-time and under budget.
• New memorial gardens with wheelchair accessible path – projected minimum 150 inurnment spaces
• New single public amenity building. Disability compliant and environmentally responsive, incorporating solar power, on-site water collection, and on-site sewer system
• New large gazebo (7m diameter) for formal and informal gatherings and memorial services
• New small gazebo adjacent to memorial gardens
• Improved road design throughout with formal and informal car parking
• Substantial earthwork to address gradient issues in new areas
In conjunction with the works completed by Council, cemetery operations partner Norwood Park Pty Ltd have installed a new columbarium wall providing an additional 68 double niches. Great care has been taken to match the existing columbarium walls with their distinct wedge shape and rustic stone facades, designed to respond to the natural slope of the land and maintain view corridors.
With the future of Tallegalla Cemetery now secured, attention can be turned to enhancing existing areas and diversifying memorialisation options. But for now, we take time to reflect on this achievement and are pleased to share the results with ACCA members.
ACCA MEMBER NEWS
RESTORING BALANCE AT PINNAROO VALLEY MEMORIAL PARK
Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park has long been known for its unique bushland setting, where natural vegetation and native wildlife create a peaceful place of remembrance. This year, two significant environmental projects were completed, each helping protect the park’s delicate ecosystem for future generations.
Pinnaroo’s natural bushland has long been facing pressure from the Japanese Pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), a highly invasive species that spreads aggressively through root suckers and seeds carried by birds and kangaroos. Left unchecked, Japanese Pepper forms dense thickets that crowd out native vegetation and disrupt biodiversity.
Over the past year, Pinnaroo’s dedicated grounds team undertook the complex and labour-intensive task of removing every Japanese Pepper tree in the park. In total, more than 200 Japanese Pepper trees were removed, amounting to over 60 truckloads of plant material. The work involved carefully cutting and removing trees, then treating root systems to prevent regrowth. Last month, the Pinnaroo grounds team and Metropolitan Cemeteries Board CEO Kathlene Oliver worked
together to remove the final Japanese Pepper tree, marking the completion of a year-long project that will help preserve Pinnaroo’s bushland character for decades to come.
While work was underway on land, another major environmental effort was happening in Pinnaroo’s lakes.
In 2002, permission was granted for koi from a family’s home pond to be placed into Pinnaroo’s lakes, a gesture of remembrance at the resting place of a loved one. For more than two decades, the koi became a graceful feature of the lakes, their origins tied to remembrance and care. Over time, as their numbers grew, the delicate balance of the lake ecosystems began to shift. Koi are bottom feeders, and in their feeding, they stir up sediment, releasing nitrogen that fuels algae growth. There was also concern that they may disturb nesting sites of native species such as the endangered Western Swamp Tortoise.
To restore balance to the lakes, the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board engaged aquatic specialists Pases Aqua to safely remove the koi. Using electrofishing, a humane method that momentarily stuns the fish, the team captured over 100 koi, many averaging around 50 cm in length. The fish were transferred to isolation tanks at Pases Aqua’s facility, where they are being monitored for health and disease before being rehomed. The result has been improved water clarity, reduced algae growth, and a healthier habitat for native aquatic species.
Pinnaroo’s identity as a bushland cemetery is central to the experience it offers families: a place of quiet reflection, natural beauty, and connection to the environment. These two projects, the Japanese Pepper eradication
and koi removal, protect that identity. The bushland restoration project safeguards the integrity of the park’s vegetation, ensuring native flora can flourish. The koi project acknowledges the memory of a gesture made decades ago and brings the story full circle by returning the lakes to health.
These environmental achievements are a credit to the Pinnaroo grounds team, the leadership of Kathlene Oliver, and the specialist expertise of Pases Aqua. With both projects complete, Pinnaroo will continue to monitor its lakes and bushland, ensuring its unique natural environment remains healthy for generations to come, keeping the park true to its promise as a place of remembrance, beauty, and biodiversity.
ACCA MEMBER NEWS
VERTICAL MEMORIALISATION: RESPONDING TO SPACE PRESSURE IN MODERN CEMETERIES
Across Australia, and globally, cemeteries are facing a convergence of pressures: rising cremation rates, diminishing land availability, and a growing public expectation for environmentally sensitive, beautiful, and culturally relevant memorial spaces.
DYING TO KNOW DAY
This year’s Dying to Know Day, held on August 8, centered around the theme Nobody Knows - The Secret I’m Glad I Shared.
At the City of Busselton, staff often meet families arranging burials or interments who are uncertain about their loved ones’ final wishes. This year’s theme served as a reminder of how important it is to have open conversations about end-of-life choices, funeral preferences, and memorial arrangements before it’s too late
To support this message, the City hosted a workshop in partnership with Busselton Hospice Care, focusing on Advance Care Planning. Facilitated by Community Outreach Coordinator Kylee Anderson and supported
While ash interment has historically relied on lawn plots or low-rise columbaria, these models are increasingly difficult to scale. In response, some cemetery operators and designers are exploring vertical memorial structures. Freestanding, compact forms that allow for multiple interments within a small footprint.
These new forms are not just about spacesaving. Many are designed with architectural sensitivity, intended to complement the landscape rather than dominate it. A single upright unit may accommodate ten or more interments, unlocking previously unusable pockets of land between trees, along paths and beside existing graves.
Early prototypes and concept installations have emerged in both public and private settings. While still in their infancy, they suggest a
growing interest in reclaiming verticality. A quality historically present in headstones and monuments but often lost in the shift toward lawn cemeteries.
From a management perspective, vertical memorials offer practical benefits: scalability, durability, and the potential to create new revenue streams. But equally important is their potential to reframe how we memorialise. Inviting visitors to encounter these spaces not just as resting places, but as part of a living, evolving landscape.
As more cemetery managers grapple with how to evolve their sites, vertical memorialisation may offer one meaningful, adaptable pathway forward. Respectful of tradition, but responsive to changing needs.
Andrew
Hoyne
by Dr. Sandra Rennie, a medical educator with expertise in emergency medicine, the session invited participants to reflect on how they would like to be cared for if they could no longer communicate or make their own decisions.
Key topics included the extent of medical intervention one might want, and how to ensure those wishes are understood. The main takeaway was clear: regardless of your age or health, having these conversations early with family or friends can greatly reduce stress, ease the decision-making burden, and help avoid conflict during difficult times.
Dying to Know Day presents an opportunity for cemetery operators to actively engage with their communities by collaborating with local,
community-based organisations. Together, they can host educational events, workshops, and information sessions that encourage open conversations about death, dying, and end-oflife choices available. These partnerships not only help raise awareness of these important topics but also assist individuals and families to make informed decisions that reflect their values and wishes.
ACCA MEMBER NEWS
CENTURY-OLD HISTORICAL BUILDING WITNESSES A UNIQUE DIALOGUE ACROSS TIME AND SPACE
A slew of reading events are rolled out at Shanghai’s first life culturethemed bookstore that integrates artificial intelligence technology, Mu Yun Ji, which opened in Xuhui District this year as a new cultural landmark of Blackstone Apartments.
Located on Fuxing Rd M., Blackstone Apartments is a century-old historical building. It not only boasts an exquisite and magnificent architectural appearance and unique interior decoration but also carries a rich and profound cultural history.
Today, it has been brilliantly transformed into an emerging block gathering various business formats. This April, Mu Yun Ji, Shanghai’s first life culture-themed AI academy, opened here. The name of the academy implies “nurturing the heart with literature and engraving memories for eternity.”
It comprises three areas - Life Awakening, Existential Exploration, and Healing, and curates a unique knowledge system of life culture through biographies, literature, philosophy, and psychology. Here, you can feel the warmth of music, art, and history.
The century-old historical building witnessed a unique dialogue across time and space on “childhood and faith” in the end of July. It centered on the growth of Yu Xiusong, first secretary of the Shanghai Socialist Youth League, with the launch of a new book stories of Yu’s childhood. Yu’s life reading session was held amid the fragrance of books and history.
Zhu
were based on a large number of oral historical materials and local archives, and the book vividly restores Yu’s childhood life in Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, showing his noble character of being diligent in study and caring about the country and the people.
The book specifically includes precious manuscripts of Yu’s compositions during his youth, with exquisite illustrations.
More than 10 young student representatives and Tang Youyou, curator of Shanghai Fushouyuan Humanities Memorial Hall, received the new books. Yu Min, the son of Yu, shared anecdotes about his father’s childhood.
The event also exhibited for the first time the pen and pen holder used by Yu and his wife. These precious cultural relics vividly restored the details of Yu’s life, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the life traces of the young Yu Xiusong.
As a new landmark of haipai (Shanghai-style) culture, the bookstore designed the event with the concept of “buildings can be read, history can be perceived.” Li Jingheng, the manager of the bookstore, said “it is the mission of physical bookstores to inherit the city’s cultural veins by making the stories of young heroes ‘come alive’ in century-old buildings.”
In the future, the bookstore will simultaneously launch exhibitions, supporting reading activities and city walk tours.
Stories of Yu’s childhood by Shanghai writer
Shaowei
ACCA MEMBERSHIP
CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA, FUNERAL DIRECTORS, INDUSTRY CORPORATES AND BUSINESSES!
The Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association (ACCA) is a non-profit professional organisation that exists to provide leadership, professional services and development, communication and networking platforms to the cemetery and crematorium industry.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Full Membership:
Organisations that administer the affairs of a Cemetery and/or Crematorium in Australasia.
SUITED TO CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA
Corporate Membership:
Shall be incorporated organisations or trading enterprises considered worthy of membership associated with the burial or cremation industry who satisfy the Board that one or all of their activities assist and complement the work of the association and/or other members.
SUITED TO INDUSTRY SUPPLIER COMPANIES
Affiliate Membership:
Shall be persons considered worthy of such classification associated with the burial, cremation or allied industry who are not otherwise qualified to become an associate fellow, associate member or corporate member of the association.
SUITED TO FUNERAL DIRECTORS
ACCA MERCHANDISE
How to Order
Please visit our webpage at accaweb.com.au/publications/resources to download the Order Forms and return to the Secretariat.
ACCA Brochures
The quality print brochures ACCA produces, offer cemeteries a way to inform their customers on the subjects of memorialisation and cremation in a take-home brochure. Our members find this extremely valuable in conveying to the public this sensitive, and sometimes complex information in the form of reading material that can be easily understood, allowing informed decisions to be made about the services available to them.
ACCA NEWS Complimentary to all Members
The ACCA News magazine is published 4 times per year, and is dedicated to the cemeteries and crematoria industry in Australasia. Via electronic distribution, the readership is estimated to be over 2,000 within Australia and also internationally. The only magazine in Australia dedicated to the Cemeteries and Crematoria industry, it also promotes the latest in innovation, safe work practices, industry equipment and also events designed to help communicate the message of memorialisation and comfort to our communities.
ACCA News Advertising
Advertising in this publication is the ultimate way to promote your business or services to the cemeteries and crematoria industry and to increase your exposure. If you are interested in advertising in the ACCA News please contact the Secretariat on (03) 9863 6914 or email: admin@accaweb.com.au
ACCA News Contributions
ACCA also uses its magazine to encourage members to contribute summaries of interesting events or information pertaining to our industry that you believe other members would find beneficial. Please feel free to forward your articles to us for consideration of inclusion in the ACCA News.
LIFE MEMBER HONOUR ROLL
Koos Adrichem
David Beames
David Lusby (Dec)
Peter Maclean AM
Tony O’Connor (Dec)
Greg Taylor (Dec)
John Campbell
Pieter Den Boer
Keith Joyce (Dec)
Karen Hinrichsen
Bruce Macumber
James Mckay
Lawrie Miller OAM
Brendan O'Connor
ARE YOU READY TO BECOME A MEMBER?
Darryl Thomas OAM
Armen Mikaelian
Bryan Elliott
David Molloy
Full Memberships, Corporate Memberships and Affiliate Memberships
Available. Contact the Secretariat today via emailing admin@accaweb. com.au
ACCA SECRETARIAT:
552 Victoria St, Wurundjeri Country, North Melbourne Victoria 3051
T: +61 3 9969 7780
E: admin@accaweb.com.au
W: accaweb.com.au
ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADE EXHIBITION 2026
Celebrating 40 Years of the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association (ACCA)
Join us on the beautiful Gold Coast for this milestone national conference, the key event shaping the sector, where ideas, innovations, and collaboration come together with representatives from across Australia and around the world.
Why attend?
Inspiring keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and training sessions tackling the key issues shaping our industry
A vibrant trade exhibition featuring innovative products and services from leading suppliers
Unmatched opportunities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate 40 years of leadership and support in the cemetery and crematoria profession
All in a stunning coastal setting, perfect for networking and reflection
��Email admin@accaweb.com.au to express your interest in attending or exhibiting and to receive updates on speakers, programs, and early-bird registration.
EDITORIAL
FACULTATIEVE TECHNOLOGIES: OPERATOR AND MACHINE- SYNCHRONISING TO SUCCESS
Everyday Technology Is Already Here
Technology is everywhere. We unlock our phones with facial recognition, use cars that can park themselves, and stream films at the touch of a button. We speak to Alexa, scroll through social media while making a cup of tea, and pay for items with our phones.
If we have embraced this level of digital convenience in our daily lives, it is only natural to ask: Why should the cremator industry be any different?
Cremation Needs More Than Automation
Cremation is not a simple mechanical task. It involves context and decision-making. Machines are excellent at carrying out instructions, but they do not understand the bigger picture. That is where people make the difference.
Cremator operators are not just there to press buttons. They are skilled professionals who read data, understand conditions, and make decisions based on experience. These adjustments help the technology learn and respond more effectively.
Machines handle the task, but people understand the process. This partnership is what allows cremation to be carried out with precision, care and efficiency.
Planning: The Foundation of Efficiency
Efficiency does not start with the cremator. It starts with the schedule.
A well-organised rota and cremation plan, based on accurate information from funeral directors, can significantly reduce energy consumption and operating costs. When incorrect or vague details are used, the outcome is often wasted energy and increased expenses. Here is how different approaches can affect results.
Example of Poor Planning:
• Two cremators used
• One hour of extra preheat time
• Two cremations on each machine
Example of Smart Planning:
• One cremator used
• No unnecessary preheat
• Four cremations completed (after 5+ successive cremations the cremators only use the fuel from the body which further reduces the fuel supply required)
• Up to 60 percent energy saved
• Good planning makes all the difference. It is better for the environment and better for the budget.
Operators: The Most Valuable Upgrade
It is easy to focus on new equipment when thinking about upgrades, but some of the most valuable improvements come from within the team. Training operators to understand the technology and use it to its full potential is often the most effective way to improve overall performance.
Even the most advanced equipment cannot operate efficiently without knowledgeable people running it. Likewise, no amount of skill can fully compensate for outdated machinery. The best results come from combining welltrained people with up-to-date technology.
Artificial Intelligence: Support, Not Replacement
Artificial intelligence is already here, and it is learning rapidly. What it does best is recognising patterns and forecasting what is likely to happen next.
In a crematorium setting, AI can:
• Detect upcoming maintenance requirements
• Predict cremation cycles
• Calculate your usage, and most efficient operator
• Adjust combustion settings to improve efficiency and reduce emissions
However, AI cannot provide judgement, ethics or experience. It requires human guidance. Much like automation made operators more effective without replacing them, AI will support engineers and operators in making better decisions. The future of cremation is
not about replacing people with machines. It is about working together, using each tool to its full advantage.
FT Connect:
At Facultatieve Technologies, we are already putting this vision into practice. Our digital platforms are designed to bring people and technology together in a way that improves efficiency and enhances control.
FT Dashboard:
A modern, user-friendly online interface that helps operators monitor performance and make informed decisions in real time.
FT Connect Includes:
Real-Time Monitoring and Reporting
View cremator data as it happens and generate useful reports to support audits, performance checks and operational planning.
AI-Powered Predictive Maintenance
Plan servicing before breakdowns occur. This approach helps reduce downtime, prolongs equipment life and lowers maintenance costs.
Energy and Cost Tracking
Monitor energy consumption and operating expenses more closely. FT has always prioritised sustainability, and these features support greener, more cost-effective operations.
Looking Ahead: A Collaborative Future
The cremation sector is evolving. But the heart of progress is not just new technology. It is people and technology working together.
With the right planning, ongoing training and modern digital tools, crematoria can become more efficient, more environmentally friendly and better prepared for the challenges ahead.
The real question is not whether machines will take over. It is how we, as people, can work alongside technology to deliver the very best results.
EDITORIAL
THE PHOENIX FOUNDRY BEREAVEMENT PROFESSION EXCELLENCE AWARD
Celebrating Future Leaders Across Borders
ACCA was proud to partner with Phoenix Foundry and the Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals (OACFP) to deliver the 2025 Phoenix Foundry Bereavement Profession Excellence Award, a unique international honour that recognised and celebrated emerging leaders in the bereavement profession.
In partnership with Phoenix Foundry, this prestigious award highlighted individuals who embodied leadership, innovation, and a commitment to professional growth. More than just an accolade, it served as a bridge between the Australian and Canadian bereavement sectors, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face globally.
Recognising Excellence in Our Sector
The Phoenix Foundry Bereavement Profession Excellence Award was designed to shine a spotlight on the people shaping the future of the profession. Nominees were assessed on a range of qualities and achievements, including:
• Leadership demonstrated through excellence in their current role
• Innovation in developing or improving products, services, or practices
• Delivery of results through the implementation of change
• Knowledge sharing through mentoring, teaching, or professional engagement
• Active contribution to their Association and its initiatives
These criteria reflect the very heart of the bereavement sector: service, innovation, and dedication to supporting families and communities in times of need.
The Phoenix Foundry Award was about more than recognition—it provided an invaluable pathway for professional growth and international connection. Recipients gained international insights into operational differences and shared challenges, while also
developing professionally through public speaking, leadership exposure, and immersive experiences. They had the chance to build networks with peers, colleagues, and global leaders, and broaden their perspective on how the bereavement sector is evolving worldwide.
The award experience itself included return economy airfare to Canada, workplace immersion at host cemetery or funeral organisations, and guided visits to key sector facilities alongside a Phoenix Foundry representative. Recipients were also given the opportunity to present at a conference, sharing their learnings with a wider audience, and to directly engage with Association leaders in exploring opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
This comprehensive package ensured that recipients not only received recognition but also developed the skills, networks, and experiences that would shape their careers for years to come.
Outstanding Nominees for 2025
This year, the calibre of nominees once again raised the bar. Each demonstrated excellence, commitment, and a passion for advancing the bereavement profession. The 2025 nominees were:
• Jason Copper – Metropolitan Memorial Parks
• Eve Gibbons – Villa Memorial Parks, Launceston Council
• Helen Tuton – Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust
• Kelly Nunn – Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust
• Kerena McDonald – Toowoomba Regional Council
• Max Spessot – Metropolitan Memorial Parks
• Nicole Winram – Wollondilly Shire Council
• Nicky Taylor – Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust
• Luke Awrarnov – Boroondara Cemetery Trust
• Stacey Atkinson – Adelaide Cemeteries
The ACCA Board faced the challenging task of selecting a single recipient from this outstanding group of nominees. The highly anticipated announcement took place at the ACCA Annual Conference in Sydney, where Joe Campbell of Phoenix Foundry proudly presented the award. ACCA congratulates Eve Gibbons of Villa Memorial Parks, Launceston Council, the recipient of the 2025 Phoenix Foundry Bereavement Profession Excellence Award.
Eve’s leadership, innovative thinking, and dedication to supporting families and communities set her apart as an emerging leader of distinction. Her achievements exemplify the values of the award and reflect the collaborative, forward-thinking spirit that is shaping the future of the bereavement profession both in Australia and abroad.
Regardless of the outcome, all nominees could take pride in their achievements.
The Phoenix Foundry Bereavement Profession Excellence Award was, and remains, a celebration of leadership and innovation. Most importantly, it recognised the people who dedicate their careers to helping others. These emerging leaders are not only shaping the future of their organisations, they are shaping the future of the bereavement profession across borders.
EDITORIAL
NORWALK: WHY AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS MATTER
Ensuring Safe, Compliant Mausoleum Structures in Cemeteries - Sarah Shortt, Norwalk Precast Burial Systems
As cemeteries continue to evolve to meet the needs of modern communities, the importance of using products that comply with Australian Standards cannot be overstated — particularly for above-ground interment options like mausoleums.
Australian Standard AS 4425:2020 – Above
Ground Burial Structures outlines the minimum requirements for the design, construction, and performance of these structures to ensure long-term structural integrity, public safety, and environmental hygiene. The standard covers everything from material strength and watertightness to ventilation and drainage — all of which are essential for a safe and respectful interment process.
Recently, it has come to light that some cemeteries are using lead-lined coffins under the belief that they eliminate the need for vents and drains. While these may contain odours or fluids in the short term, AS 4425 does not recognise them as a substitute for proper drainage and ventilation systems. Australian Standards exist to ensure that interment structures perform reliably over decades, regardless of the type of casket or coffin used. Relying on products or practices outside the standard introduces long-term risks — both structural and legal.
At Norwalk Precast Burial Systems, compliance isn’t a feature — it’s a foundation. Our mausoleum crypt modules are purposedesigned to meet or exceed the performance criteria of AS 4425, with engineered drainage outlets and ventilation provisions to manage internal condensation, gas build-up, and potential fluid release over time. We work
closely with engineers and industry partners to deliver modular and stand-alone mausoleum systems that are structurally certified, quick to install, and designed with safety, longevity, and dignity in mind.
Cemeteries and crematoria face increasing pressure to deliver cost-effective, scalable solutions — but this must never come at the expense of compliance. Products that do not meet Australian Standards may require costly rectification later and can pose serious safety risks in the meantime.
Australian Standards are not just technical checklists — they are the industry’s collective commitment to public safety, environmental protection, and structural integrity. They exist to protect:
• Families who entrust cemeteries with their loved ones.
• Workers who install and maintain the structures.
• Cemetery operators responsible for decades of upkeep.
When these standards are ignored, the consequences are significant:
• Safety Hazards – Inadequate drainage or ventilation can cause gas build-up, odour issues, or structural deterioration, creating unsafe conditions for staff and visitors.
• Legal and Financial Exposure – Noncompliance can lead to costly repairs, liability claims, regulatory fines, or legal action.
• Loss of Insurance Protection – Many insurers require compliance; a breach could void coverage.
• Reputational Damage – A single failure can erode trust with families and the wider community.
Compliance with AS 4425 isn’t about adding cost or complexity — it’s about safeguarding the long-term functionality and dignity of memorial spaces. By adhering to the standard, cemeteries protect their communities, their reputation, and their legacy for generations to come.
ACCA BROCHURES
HAVE YOU GOT YOURS?
The quality-print brochures ACCA produces offer cemeteries a way to inform their customers of the subjects of memorial and cremation in a take-home brochure. Our members find this extremely valuable in conveying to members of the public this sensitive, and sometimes complex, information in the form of reading material that can be provided to customers, where they may absorb the information at home and make informed decisions about the services they wish to undertake.
HOW TO ORDER
Please email admin@accaweb.com.au for an order form. Simply complete and return via email where our friendly staff are waiting to process your order. Order Today!
Since 1943, Worssell & Co has stood for quality, craftsmanship, and trust. Now, we’re proud to unveil a ref reshed identity that reflects who we are today – innovative, customerfocused, and still deeply rooted in Australian heritage while proudly still being a family owned and run business
We have been crafting quality products for memorials, commemorations, and public works As technology and design has evolved, so have we. Our rebrand is more than a new logo –it’s a renewed promise of excellence, integrity, and innovation for generations to come.
Now in it’s four th generation, our family business remains as passionate as ever about ser ving you. Our promise to combine traditional techniques with modern innovation, delivering plaques that reflect your values, vision, and stories – always with the quality and care Worssell & Co is known for.
Modern Brand Identity – A sleek, timeless look aligned with our values and the future.
Enhanced Customer Experience –Clearer communication, updated resources, and streamlined ser vice.
Digital Presence – A redesigned website is coming soon for easier access and continued enhancements to our online plaque designer programme. While we are making changes with this f resh new look, we promise to keep what remains a priority to us by staying 100% Australian Made. We will continue using locally sourced raw materials and manufacture in our Carole Park facility in Brisbane. We will continue to offer exceptional craftsmanship f rom design to the f inal f inish, with ever y plaque reflecting our dedication to detail and quality.
Visit us at www.worssell.com.au or email info@worssell.com.au
BEARER BARS
orthometals.com
FA REPORT
FUNERALS AUSTRALIA
It’s been six months since I became National President, and in that time, we’ve progressed two major projects, the main one being the rebranding of AFDA to Funerals Australia. The new name and brand strategy were officially launched on 30 August at our 90-Year Anniversary Celebration.
This is more than a name change; it’s a strategic shift forward reflecting our expanded vision and commitment to progressing the funeral sector in modern Australia. As Funerals Australia, we’ll continue to be the trusted authority for the sector: setting high standards, providing leadership, and strengthening peer connection. We will also deepen our role in public education fostering healthy conversations about death and dying and offering clear guidance through the early stages of grief. Developed over the past year with branding agency Taylor & Grace, and shaped by member and stakeholder input, this shift positions the Association and its members as modern, relevant leaders in an evolving industry.
Our second major project was the 90-Year Anniversary Celebration held on Saturday 30 August at the Sofitel on Collins in Melbourne. Thank you to the ACCA members who joined us for this celebration and for the official launch of Funerals Australia. The 90-Year Anniversary Celebration included an exciting education program commencing with keynote speaker Geoff Brailey from McCrindle Research presenting the findings from a national study commissioned by AFDA on Australians’ perceptions of funerals in 2025 and beyond. Members gained insights into what families value, emerging trends, and the future of funeral support to help them better connect with their communities.
Attendees also heard from Nick Palousis, CEO of 2XE who outlined the business case for sustainability and introduced the Better Practice Sustainability Guide for Funeral Directors.
The guide was developed through the Sustainable Funerals Program funded by the South Australian Government via Green Industries SA, translating early AFDA pilots into practical, commercially sound steps for sustainable business practice. Taylor & Grace then led an interactive workshop with actionable tools to sharpen marketing, strengthen community engagement, and elevate members’ brand impact providing clear next steps to build trust and connect more meaningfully with families.
The celebration culminated with the AFDA 90-Year Anniversary Gala Ball at Melbourne’s heritage-listed Forum where members enjoyed a memorable evening of celebration, connection and storytelling with industry peers from across the country as AFDA reflected on its 90-year history and shared its vision for the future as Funerals Australia.
As we mark our 90th year as an association and our evolution to Funerals Australia, we will continue to promote professional funeral standards. Our code of ethics, code of conduct, and PEV (Premises, Equipment and Vehicles) inspections have set the industry benchmark. During my term as National President, my aim is to see these standards adopted nationally by every funeral director whether through mandatory association membership or formal regulation, so every family receives the highest level of care, and every deceased person in Australia is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Over the last few weeks, I have also had the privilege as National President of attending the AFDA Annual General meetings for each Division and seeing the work being done by each Divisional Council. These AGMs are a vital opportunity to connect with members, present an overview of AFDA activities over the past year and listen to the challenges being faced by our members in each Division. This year our AGMs looked a little different and were all held online as members from each Division prepared to come together in Melbourne to celebrate our 90-Year Anniversary.
Looking ahead, planning is underway for the 2026 National Convention to be held at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast from 19-23 March 2026.
Please mark your calendars with these dates. Set against a stunning coastal backdrop, the Convention will bring members and industry stakeholders together to connect, learn and recharge in a relaxed, inspiring setting, with a program of practical professional development, thought-provoking discussions and ample opportunities to engage with peers from across the country. We encourage all ACCA members to join us on the Sunshine Coast in March next year.
Warm regards
Asha Dooley National President
STATE REPORT
CEMETERIES & CREMATORIA ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CCAWA Annual Seminar and AGM 2026
CCAWA have set the date for the 2026 annual one day seminar and AGM.
Thursday afternoon, 16th April will see a workshop held for training purposes of the correct documents that should be used in preparation for burials and monumental works together with how to maintain records in shire councils run by Dept. Local Government where minimal services are held each year, record is the same no matter how big or small your organisation is. Friday, 17th April will be the AGM and annual full day of sponsor presentations and guest speakers. The program is to be finalised however it is looking interesting to date with something for everyone be it administration or external. Due to the positive feedback and location, the seminar will once again be held at the Ingot hotel in Rivervale, the same venue as the 2025 seminar.
Further information and program to follow in the next ACCA News, however, lock the dates into your diaries and the CCAWA President and Board of Directors look forward to welcoming you all to WA in April 2026.
Peter MacLean Award Winner 2025
Anthony Marriott, winner of the Peter MacLean Award and representing the City of Busselton was recently presented with his Award by the CCAWA President, Christine McGrath. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances Anthony was unable to attend the CCAWA seminar in April, however the City of Busselton gave and official acknowledgement and morning tea at a recent presentation.
Well done, Anthony! Anthony will be attending the ACCA conference in Sydney where he will have the opportunity to meet many attendees and see and hear what is new within the industry. The CCAWA President and Board, together with Peter Maclean hope that Anthony enjoys the experience in recognition of the award.
2025 CCASA
Thriving not just Surviving
STATE REPORT
CEMETERIES & CREMATORIA ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Laid to rest: how licenced operators are putting families’ minds at ease
Cemeteries and crematoria play an essential role in helping people remember, honour and celebrate the life of someone they love.
Interment services touch every community and family at some point, so it’s vital that families are supported in their time of loss. That’s why regulation for strong consumer protections are top priorities for Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW (CCNSW).
The NSW Government agency’s licensing scheme means that almost all burials and cremations in the state – more than 80,000 each year – are now carried out by licensed cemetery or crematoria operators.
NSW is the only state or territory in Australia with a dedicated regulator for cemeteries and crematoria, and CCNSW fulfils this role to ensure services are delivered in the community’s best interests.
Operators have been working with CCNSW to meet the standards, which cover consumer contracts, maintenance, pricing transparency, customer service and religious and cultural needs.
CCNSW recognises the effort that NSW operators have shown during their transition to becoming licenced, Acting CEO David Raper says.
“Their commitment continues to be incredibly valuable as we work together to support families and communities when they need it,” Mr Raper says.
“This is about safeguarding people when they’re making important financial decisions at a vulnerable time. They protect people and de-risk the industry through good day-to-day practices to avoid future horror stories.
“By bringing almost all operators under the umbrella of regulation, CCNSW ensures that families continue to interact with professionals who meet sound requirements and share a commitment to a respectful service,” Mr Raper says. Thanks to licensing, NSW families now benefit from:
• Clear contracts that explain exactly what services they’ll receive and the costs, to avoid confusion and prevent misunderstandings
• Transparent pricing so they’ll know what they’re paying for, with no last-minute fees or surprise charges
• Set standards for customer service including communication, responsiveness and staff conduct
• Ongoing maintenance plans to preserve and care for the resting places of loved ones
• Protected religious and cultural needs so families know their rites and traditions are respected
These safeguards address troubling examples from the past – like families with loved ones buried in the wrong grave or being blindsided by the cost of last-minute charges.
“Our vision is that all people in NSW can access sustainable and affordable burial and cremation services that are respectful of culture and faith, while promoting consistency, transparency and accountability among operators,” Mr Raper says.
With its regulatory framework now firmly in place, CCNSW is focusing on monitoring and ensuring compliance.
In February this year, the agency published its first compliance plan and priorities for the next two years. As part of this plan, two Authorised Officers have commenced a statewide program of audits to ensure operators are meeting their obligations.
CCNSW is invested in resolving complaints, including a case where another individual was buried in an interment right holder’s plot due to poor record keeping in the past.
“With every dispute, we’re committed to acting swiftly and fairly to support complaint resolution for the families involved,” Mr Raper says.
Supporting operators to get it right
CCNSW is committed to regulation that delivers outcomes for the community and is practical and reasonable for operators.
Informed by sector feedback, the agency recently amended the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2013 to modernise requirements, clarify CCNSW powers and governance, support burial supply and deliver improved outcomes for the people of NSW.
The changes, effective from 1 September, also make it easier for families and community members to maintain monuments in honour of their loved ones and simplify tracing who holds an interment right.
CCNSW is committed to helping operators understand and apply these and other requirements. In addition to various guidance, CCNSW offers webinars and regular community of practice sessions where operators can raise current issues and share recent insights.
Last month, more than 100 NSW operators took part in three webinars explaining the recent Act amendments.
By ensuring their services are delivered professionally and transparently, NSW cemetery and crematoria operators are making a real difference – providing families with the care, respect and peace of mind they need when it matters most.
Upcoming events
Monthly online CCNSW Community of Practice meetings (NSW operators only)
• Wednesday 22 October 2025 at 3pm
• Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 3pm
For details, email ccnsw. regulatoryreform@cemeteries.nsw.gov.au
ACCA 36th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
NSW Minister for Lands and Property Stephen Kamper and CCNSW CEO David Raper both spoke at the annual ACCA conference from 14 - 17 September 2025
STATE REPORT
CEMETERIES & CREMATORIA ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA
Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Wednesday 22nd October 2025
To be held
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, AFL Dining Room, Shane Warne Stand
At 10.00am for 11.00am
Morning Tea on arrival and Networking opportunity
Lunch to follow the meeting
Meeting will commence at 11.00am
Agenda
Welcome from the CCAV President.
Presentation from Coroner Audrey Jamieson
Key Note Speaker Neil Balme
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
1. Apologies
2. Confirmation of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Friday 24th October 2024 as previously circulated.
3. Reports for year 2024/2025
a) President’s Report
b) Treasurer’s Report
c) Taxation Status of the Association
d) Appointment of Auditor
4 Appointment of the Committee of Management for the year 2025/2026
7. Close AGM
Any questions regarding the format for the meeting, or the process of registration should be directed to Norelle Cole on (0457 416 397) or executiveofficer@ccav.org.au
INDUSTRY EVENTS 2025-2026
We are increasingly becoming an international/global business community. The following is a snapshot of the industry conferences and seminars we have been informed of for 2025/2026. Web links to the organisations are below. If you would like further contact details of any of the organisations listed, please contact the Secretariat Office.
Do you have any upcoming event you would like us to promote, or did we miss an event?
Please email admin@accaweb.com.au
Some of the events listed on this page may be cancelled or postponed. Please contact each organisation directly if you have any uncertainty or questions.
CCA NSW
2025 Conference ‘Then, Now and Forever’ 4-5 June 2025 at Novotel Syndey Olympic Park.
CBCE
23-25 June 2025, at Hilton Southampton - Utilita Bowl, UK https://cbce.org.uk/
ACCA
Mid-Year Conference
16-17 July 2025, Brisbane https://accaweb.com.au/about/events/
CANA
107th Cremation Convention 6-8 August 2025, Phoenix, AZ, US
ACCA
Annual Conference
14-17 September 2025, Sydney https://accaweb.com.au/about/events/
CCC
Catholic Cemeteries Convention 76th Anniversary Convention & Exposition, September 15-18 2025, Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim, CA
IAOPCC
International Association of Pet Cemeteries nd Crematories 54th Annual Conference, September 18-20 2025, San Antonio, Texas
ICCM
Learning Conference and Exhibition 2025 Tuesday 30th September – Wednesday 1st October at the Chesford Grange Hotel.
CCA SA
Information Forum
Save the Date, 16-17 October 2025, Riverland
AFE
Asia Funeral and Cemetery Expo and Conference 12-14 May 2026, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
44 Duke St (PO Box 5), Uralla, NSW 2358 e: orders@phoenixfoundry.com.au p: (02) 6738 2200
PlotBox
Level 12/64 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 and The ECOS Centre, Kernohans Lane Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT43 7QA Northern Ireland e: info@plotbox.com p: 0401 123 897 p: (02) 7228 7971
Prestavest Crematorium & Memorial Park Lot 8517, Jalan Taman Semarak, Pokok Assam, 34000, Taiping, Perak, Malaysia e: marketing@prestavest.com.my p: 605 807 6868
Semenyih Memorial Hills Berhad 9A, Jalan SS22/23 Damansara Jaya 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia e: ckliew.hms@gmail.com p: 6 3 772 95585
Taiyo Chikuro Industries Co Ltd 6-21 Higashi-koen, Hakata-Ku, Fukuoka, Japan e: s-eguchi@taiyochikuro.jp p: 0 8 92 651 4131
Wellington City Council 76 Old Karori Road, Wellington, 6012 NZ e: elizabeth.reddington@wcc.govt.nz
Xiao En Memorial Park Bhd
Xiao En Centre, No.1, Jalan Kuari, Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia e: kuan@xiao-en.com.my p: +603-9145 38
