Good Afternoon Seran,

Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience whilst we reviewed your feedback.

The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust shares your deep concern about the vandalism at Northern Memorial Park last month that caused damage to 64 gravesites.

Please see below the statement that GMCT has just published online following our review of this dreadful incident.

The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust has reviewed its use of CCTV security cameras at Northern Memorial Park in Glenroy following an act of vandalism at the cemetery last month that caused damage to 64 gravesites.

GMCT CEO, Deb Ganderton said: “The communities we serve need safe, accessible and peaceful places to honour and remember loved ones lost. That’s a responsibility we take very seriously.”

“The outcome of our review favours extending our network of CCTV cameras at Northern Memorial Park subject to the outcome of extensive consultation with our client families and local communities,” Ganderton said.

“We understand that increasing the use of CCTV cameras at a cemetery is a sensitive issue. Ideally, such action would not be needed. But the shocking, heartless act of vandalism at Northern Memorial Park last month requires a response that will give greater comfort to those people who have a loved one interred at our cemetery. We look forward to community involvement in our decision making process,” Ganderton said.

GMCT will launch a community engagement program that will include a dedicated online platform to provide people with the opportunity to express their views about suitable security arrangements at Northern Memorial Park and other GMCT cemeteries. The program will commence in November 2021.

If you have any questions, or if we can be of assistance to you, please contact our Customer Care team on 1300 022 298.

Regards,

 
Enquiries​
The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust