60 Years

A group of Cemetery and Crematoria Managers came together with the aim of forming an Association that would provide understanding, assistance, discussion and alliance for the Cemetery and Crematoria Industry in Victoria.

Cemetery advisory council reformed.

The constitution and bylaws of the association were adopted.

Log of claims and lawn cemetery cost issues are discussed.

Industrial unrest leads to stop-work meetings at Western Suburbs Memorial Park.

Wage Board issues are discussed

Resignation of the Chairman and Secretary in June 1970 due to lack of involvement by members.

Stonemason allege in The Herald newspaper that Cemeteries take commissions.

Issue of burial ground space shortage in metropolitan areas is discussed.

Undertakers Assistants and Cemeteries Employees Union requests a hearing in support of wage increases.

According to meeting records from individual Cemeteries, one of the major issues discussed during this period was the potential formation of a separate association for cemetery trustees.

A separate association was never formed, but the issue of trustee involvement was highlighted.

Monuments and Monumental Masons cause concern to some Cemeteries.

Wage Board and Log of Claims are discussed.

Wage Board agrees to a 38 hour work week.

The association now has 38 members.

Draft copy of the new Cemeteries Act is written, copies are distributed for comment.

Standardisation of fees is considered.

The role of the Association is reviewed and the aim is stated as:

To continue to provide industry knowledge and to extend member services and increase membership.

John Coyle and Jack Thomas are both made life members of the Association.

Gippsland Crematorium opened.

DHS allocates funds for a new cemetery in Lilydale.

Trustees are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting for the first time in order to raise awareness of the types of business discussed at CCAV meetings and to give trustees the chance to meet with their colleagues from other Cemeteries.

DHS proceeds with 25 land purchases for Cemeteries in Victoria.

Geelong Crematorium opened, 19 May 1988.

CCAV continues to lobby for urgent amendments to the Cemeteries Act of 1958.

Revision of the Rules for incorporation is adopted by members and approved by the Office of Corporate Affairs.

Bendigo Crematorium opens in November CCAV opposes the introduction of mausoleums in Victoria until a satisfactory limit is placed on the relative tenure.

The Regulatory Impact Statement for Mausolea is being finalised.

Industry faces threat from private memorials being allowed in church grounds and private operators wishing to enter the industry.

14 Cemeteries are placed under the Financial Management Act.

Lilydale Crematorium officially opens on 27 May 1995.

CCAV has a combined meeting at Coonawarra with the Cemetery Association of South Australia.

Meeting Procedure Guidelines are reviewed The Cemeteries Act 1958 is reviewed.

CCAV delegation meets Mr Robert Doyle (Parliamentary Secretary), regarding the maintenance fund.

Review of the Cemeteries Act 1958 continues to move slowly, as a result CCAV engaged a lobbyist.

Spiritual Diversity Seminar and Hortskill courses are conducted.

DHS Training package begins.

Re-draft of Standardisation of Monumental Regulations consultative progress commences.

Monumental Regulations Guidelines are completed.

Privacy Statement is developed.

Membership reaches 152.

Certificate of Merit is developed and Ian Keith and Ian Roddick are inaugural recipients.

Completion of DHS Training Project Trustee’s Manual.

Rules & Regulations of the Association updated.

DHS implements the Cemeteries and Crematorium Act 2003 from 1 July.

CCAV introduces Affiliate and Associate membership categories.

Fawkner Crematorium & Memorial Park: 100 years of service.

CCAV assisted the Government with Pandemic Planning guidelines.

State Services review of the Victorian Cemetery sector.

Change of Secretariat from ORB Management to PAMS.

CCAV and VMIA developed a Risk Management Framework Document.

New reforms introduced, commencement of Class A & Class B Structure.

Change of Secretariat from PAMS to ACCA.

Holmesglen Tafe appointed as CCAV Training Facilitator.

Asbestos was found to be present in old mastic glue used to adhere bronze plaques to niche walls.

The CCAV Program of recycling of metals collected following cremation has been signed by all Victorian Crematoria, being the first State in Australia to recycle.

Inaugural ‘Excellence in Cemeteries’ award - recipient Wendy Ohlsen, Creswick Cemetery Trust

Geelong Cemeteries Trust celebrates 175 years of Eastern Cemetery.

Benalla Cemetery Trust celebrates 160 years.

The CCAV has delivered over 160 Lone Pine trees to Members throughout Victoria, to commemorate 100 years since the ANZAC Landings at Gallipoli.

CCAV sponsor 5000 Poppies project - A Community Tribute of Respect and Remembrance.

Appointed Bronwyn Rowbotham as part time Executive Officer.

Developed the Strategic Plan 2017 -2020.

CCAV Annual Awards - Above and Beyond ( for an Individual) Innovation Award) Team Project.

Participated in the DHHS Cemeteries Strategic Working Group Sponsorship survey was undertaken by Evergreen independent consultants.

AGM was conducted remotely via Zoom.

A vote of members at the March meeting was take and the unanimous decision was to postpone the 2020 Annual Conference as a result of COVID -19 and to reschedule into 2021.

Participated on the DHHS COVID -19 Working group meetings and provided up to date information to members in a rapidly changing environment.

AGM held via Zoom Secretariat services moved from ACCA to Rye Cemetery Trust.

Strategic Plan developed for 2021 - 2024.

OVIC introduced the Protective Data Security Plan template, which CCAV assisted to refine.

Finalise agreement with Worksafe Victoria to develop a training program Safety in and around graves.

Combined AGM and Trade Show event.

Rye Cemetery Trust advised that they would cease providing Secretariat services in 2024.

Employed Norelle Cole as Executive Officer.

Launched Worksafe Training package.

Trade Show held at GMCT Lilydale.