Funding boost for Snowy Monaro historic cemeteries

Published on 18 March 2022

Snowy Monaro Regional Council has been awarded two grants under the NSW State Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) to cover the cost of ongoing maintenance works at the historic Christ Church and Old Adaminaby cemeteries.

Christ Church Cemetery was awarded $11,250 that will be put towards a variety of works, including dealing with feral rabbits, dangerous or invasive plant and tree removal, fencing improvements, and wombat damage.

Old Adaminaby Cemetery received $16,607 for a complete fencing replacement and dead and dangerous tree removal. The new fencing will improve the aesthetics of the cemetery, while greatly improving protection against wandering stock and wildlife.

The program of work made possible by this funding will be undertaken over the next 12 months as conditions allow.

While this maintenance work may not be especially visible in the difference it makes to these historic sites, it is vital to preserving both the cemeteries themselves and important parts of our region’s history. Council is committed to protecting our heritage through proactive management of our cemeteries across the Snowy Monaro.

Christ Church Cemetery, located just outside Cooma on Maffra Road, was the first colonial cemetery in the Monaro when it opened back in 1845. The cemetery is of great historical significance to the region, housing many of the region’s earliest European colonialists – including John Lambie, after whom Lambie Street is named.

Old Adaminaby Cemetery dates to 1860, well prior to the flooding of the original town-site to create Eucumbene Dam. This cemetery is particularly historically important to the town of Adaminaby and the wider Snowy Monaro for its preservation of the old town’s history.

Maintenance works within the cemeteries is ongoing and we have been very fortunate to have approval of these grants from Crown Lands to undertake the projects.