No grave will be left unmarked

The project has already been 18 months in the marking, and may take another few years to complete.

But Friends of the Cemetery member and Riverina Funerals general manager Tracey McDaid said they’re determined to get the job done.

“The project has really ramped up in the last few months,” Mrs McDaid said.

“For 18 months, Tony Marshall has been trying to re-map the cemetery using Harry Marshall’s original records.

“It has taken some time because the records are fragmented.

“Tony has been using our records here at the funeral home, council burial records and other records to try and distinguish where the gaps are.

“Some graves have been unmarked for so long, and there are no longer any family members in the area, so it has been challenging.”

Mrs Rose said the group last year received $3000 from the Deniliquin Community Group, which distributed funds generated from commissions on flagged Bendigo Bank accounts.

“That funding paid for the first 100 crosses, which have been built for us by the talented crew at the Deniliquin Menshed,” she said.

“The Friends of the Cemetery has paid for the rest so far, including the plaques.

“This project is great for community members and family history researchers.

“They can now come into the cemetery and find their loved ones.”

Mrs Rose said anyone who knows of family members at Deniliquin with an unmarked grave is welcome to come forward to provide details.

Marking the graves will come at no cost to them, unless they wish to donate to the project.

Mrs Rose said donations from others in the community would also be welcome, to allow for the project to continue.

You can donate or provide information by contacting Riverina Funerals on 5881 5111 or Friends of the Cemetery member June Campbell on 0488 277 229.