Anzac Day saw some 24 unofficial war grave headstones removed from the grave and sent of to be crushed for road base. I protested right across Australia with approx 1000 emails. The Minister responded with a one page letter. This is my reply and it may answer some queries people have. Tuesday, 23 May 2006 Hon Jon Ford JP MLC Minister for Local Government and Regional Development 9th Floor, Dumas House 2 Havelock Street West Perth WA 6005 Dear Mr Ford Headstones - Karrakatta Cemetery (Your Ref 21 - 3635) I acknowledge your letter dated 16th May 2006 in response to the email I sent the Premier 21 April 2006. I might point out that the same was sent to your office. I am disappointed that the Premier felt that he could not answer my email himself given that I am in his electorate despite the postal address. I am disappointed that previous correspondence from myself to your office has not been consulted which included my discussion paper and photographs. The fact that my concerns were brought to the attention of Parliament on the 2nd May 2006 and not acknowledged in your letter is indicative of an uninformed response. I am extremely conversant with the process of legal desecration of consecrated ground in Karrakatta Cemetery and had you been better informed you would have learnt that the Cemeteries Act does not give permission to remove headstones. You would also have learnt that the retrospective ruling made in conjunction with the Cemeteries Act of 1986 is not legal and that all those people affected are entitled to a monetary refund or some form of compensation. Furthermore, you would have learnt that a petition was tabled in Parliament last year and that the Cemeteries Act is currently undergoing a review. There have been many submissions made including one from the Department of Veteran's Affairs. I am very much aware of the processes of the Monument Assessment & Advisory Committee. Their history precedes them with the negligent removal of headstones from Sister Kate's grave along with 27 official war graves (contrary to the previous Cemeteries Act). I have requested on several occasions to see this 'extensive research of individuals' but as yet have not been granted the courtesy. Already in the last few weeks I have located graves of WW1 personnel that have been overlooked in classification as an official war grave and am presently lodging an application for official status. Had the committee been effective in it's research then they would have been making those applications and not me! The MCB and the MAAC advise the public that the headstones are photographed and transcribed which is an untruth in itself. Out of the 23 sections already violated only 6 have been photographed. I am left questioning how many transcriptions were taken. From my own experience in cemetery research headstones often contain information that is not found in any other record in this state. Many researchers like myself find information that discloses the complexities of our society along with mystery. Example's are memorials on family graves commemorating sailors on HMAS Sydney, grave's of war dead that have slipped through the net as being classified as official and curious ones such as a soldier killed in action during WW1 and buried overseas yet there is an official headstone with his details on a grave in Fremantle Cemetery. Then there is the social research and evaluation aspect that cannot be gathered from the MCB records because 'access is denied' or 'pay before viewing'! There are many types of research that being privy to the original material in its own environment is where success in the venture lies. I am currently working on a biographical index of WW1 soldiers who were born in Albany or who enlisted in Albany but were born elsewhere (a large percentage in the UK). This research has returned some 960 individuals. From that figure 220 were killed, died of wounds or died of disease and are in official war graves overseas. From those that returned home 280 are known to be in graves in Karrakatta Cemetery and further research will no doubt increase that figure. The practice of removing headstones from the graves of these people wipes out large percentage of history from a generation of one town in this state thus we are left to question how many others. The MCB argue that people do not want to travel to visit their dead family. The fact that I have produced evidence to the contrary dispels that myth. The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board advocates the use of electronic recording facilities for memorials. This must surely be the most unstable system to be instituted for the management of these types of records of this State. First, the photographing of headstones is not a primary record - it is a secondary record and can be lost at the strike of a match. A memorial marking a grave has more chance of surviving and should only be destroyed by time and not by human hands. Whilst the MCB argues that the burial details are the primary record that is in fact correct, however the headstone is a primary record in its own right. I believe removing headstones from graves is contrary to the State Records Act and is certainly not in keeping with the ethos of the Heritage Council, Productivity Commission and the Burra Charter. This is specific to the fact that they are primary records and valuable artefacts and is indicative of our social history and culture. From Oral History Conference in Perth in 2003 by keynote speaker Prof. David Dolan [Chairman National Trust of Aust [WA] who spoke on ‘Oral History and Heritage Work’. He concluded his paper with the example: ‘among the most contested heritage sites are cemeteries. They are contested because some cemetery boards, local authorities and other relevant government agencies do not want to meet the cost of looking after them; so they seek to destroy their integrity and desecrate old graves by churning them over to allow new burials. In the case of Karrakatta cemetery here in Perth, I have been told that decisions about which graves and monuments are to be preserved may be based on invidious – one might even say elitist or snobbish – assessment of which (or who) - are the most important. [Taken from All Quarters’ Oral History Association of Australia Journal, Number 25, 2003] From the article in the latest ‘Trust News’ [Vol 34 No 4 May 2006] on ‘Memorials’ featuring Bon Scott’s Memorial at Fremantle Cemetery, WA. You are most likely aware that the National Trust WA has classified his memorial as ‘a place of heritage significance in recognition of its importance to many people in Australia and throughout the world'. Are not the graves of our dead veteran's worthy of the same RESPECT and PRIVILEGE? The Productivity Commission has recently released a report titled "Heritage Value, Pressures and Emerging Trends" and I quote from Page 9 The Burra Charter, developed by Australia ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), relates the heritage value of a place with 'cultural significance' of a site (Marquis - Kyle and Walker 2004). According to the Charter these cultural values are important because: Places of cultural significance enrich people's lives, often providing a deep and inspirational sense of connection to community and landscape, to the past and to lived experiences. They are historical records that are important as tangible expressions of Australian identity and experiences. Places of cultural significance reflect the diversity of our communities, telling us about who we are and the past that has formed us and the Australian landscape. (Australia ICOMOS sub. 122, p6) The MCB has NO criteria for 'historic significance' although their glossy brochures and pamphlets state that there is. I say this because I have asked Steve James for it and been told that there is none. The MCB cannot even tell you how many Victoria Cross winners are buried in at Karrakatta nor know how many MC, DSO, DCM and MM winners are buried there. If they did know they would not have desecrated their graves nor would they intend to. By the same token we must not forget the graves of our Aboriginal Soldiers as history writers have chosen to do. The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board website states "The Board is entrusted to care for the personal memories of West Australians and also to watch over and protect the rich social history of this state" and this is assumed to be the mission statement. The phrase "ensuring the future" must therefore support the previous statement. However, the practice of removing headstones from graves is in contravention of both those statements and is indicative of the broad sweeping statements used to desensitise people's feelings and sanitise the desecration of gravesites. In respect of the unofficial war graves again I am disappointed that you appear to be under a misapprehension regarding the placement of these. They are not being relocated to the Perth War Cemetery at all. They are crushed and used for road base. Those memorials are being replaced with a small plaque in the Garden of Remembrance. This is NOT where the of the service person 'RESTS IN PEACE' the family go to visit the grave where the person is buried not a plaque on a brick wall! All post war commemorations are paid for by the taxpayers then they have to pay a second time for a plaque in the Garden of Remembrance. Such was the case of the 27 official war graves. Removing headstones from the graves of our defence personnel is the highest insult afforded them and most certainly one of which this Government should be extremely ashamed. I distinctly recall the outcry from this country's officials in relation to the desecration of our defence personnel graves overseas. No! t once, not twice but several times. Rather a hypocritical stance in my opinion. Aside from this, and according to the MCB at the meeting earlier this year, only headstones in disrepair and unable to be read will be removed all others will remain in situ a few would be moved to the outer perimeter of the section. That most certainly was not the case in the recent mass desecration nor was it ever intended to be and as a statutory authority the MCB must be held accountable. I have a large number of photographs taken from both Karrakatta and Fremantle Cemeteries, which show neglect in these cemeteries, by the MCB, which is in direct contravention of the Cemeteries Act. On the one hand they condemn families for neglecting gravesites and on the other contribute to the neglect. The National RSL President Major WJ Crews AO has stated in correspondence to Saving Graves WA that "The basis of our argument is that the graves of service men and women should not be disturbed irrespective of whether they are in recognised war cemeteries or otherwise. These are men and women who have given a great deal for their country and the least they deserve is to have a final resting place undisturbed." This renewal program has been met with outrage across this state, interstate and internationally and I have evidence to prove such claims much of which formed part of my submission for the Cemetery Act Review. I might add that there is not one argument coming out of the MCB or from you, promoting the renewal program that cannot be dispelled by myself or by Saving Graves WA. There is no valid or credible argument for desecration of gravesites that seeks to destroy this state's and this country's history and culture. It is a cruel and hurtful practice that has total disregard for grieving families. I have a vested interest in the management, operation and preservation of the memorials in Karrakatta, Fremantle, Guildford and Pinnaroo Cemeteries, having extremely large family buried there. I regularly visit several of my family graves and the visual presence of those memorials aids in the grieving process, for even though they have been gone from me for a number of years I still mourn their passing. I have felt first hand the distress of discovering that my grandmother's grave had been desecrated under the guise of redevelopment. This was brought home profoundly when I came across an elderly man on the ground crying because he could not find the grave of his wife and baby. It was there when he visited the month previous and destroyed by Anzac Day 2006. By the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board's own admission, they will not remove headstones from graves in the Jewish, Greek Orthodox and Macedonian Orthodox but will remove headstones from the Anglican and Catholic sections. The argument put up by the MCB that the space in between is not the same size is an untruth. This is a clear and precise admission of discrimination against religion even more so because the Anglican section has been attacked and desecrated much more than the Catholic section. Furthermore there must surely be a conflict of interest given that there is a board member who is Jewish and one who is a member of the Greek Orthodox community. The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board is renowned for its claims that people do not visit these old graves. First and foremost, I would have to reconsider visiting any of the older sections because of the deliberate neglect of these areas making it unsafe and a haven for snakes during the summer. The question must be asked, does the MCB have staff positioned to monitor who visits what section and when? If they do not, do they in fact have cameras mounted throughout these sections to capture images of who visits which grave? I am currently doing a large research project in Fremantle cemetery and see people visit these old graves and just sit quietly at the graveside and this included our recent Mother's Day. They do not always clean it up or place flowers, and if they don’t does this mean that they don’t care? The MCB do not permit the renewal of licenses in sections marked for renewal, which according to the documentation is almost the entire Karrakatta Cemetery itself, no! r do they notify people with contact details once the license has expired. If you wish to preserve a headstone in a section of the cemetery tagged for desecration you must purchase a right of burial of graves on either side (mind you there is no clause in the Act that says this must be the case). Whilst I fully appreciate that there is a concern regarding space at Karrakatta Cemetery I DO NOT believe that the scheme currently being practised is, in fact, the right one. There are other options available that the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board is not exploring. (Their refusal to accept the fact that their ideals are outdated and outmoded is in direct conflict with their desire to move over to electronic memorials!) Saving Graves WA advocates that Karrakatta be closed for new graves, open for burials in existing graves and open for the placement of ashes. As Minister for Local Government and Regional Development it is your obligation to listen to the voice of the people of this state and given the impetus my quest has drawn this must surely be indicative of their wishes. In closing I must point out that I deeply offended that your closing statement suggest that I contact Steve James at the MCB. Firstly because your second paragraph acknowledges the meeting held at Karrakatta Cemetery earlier this year. Secondly, as the appropriate Minister you are duty bound to investigate the concerns of constituents and not to dismiss them as superfluous and insignificant particularly on such an issue. Yours sincerely Sandra PLAYLE Convenor Saving Graves WA Cc: Robyn McSweeney Shadow Minister Sue Walker Member for Nedlands ABC Radio 6PR Radio Dawn Gibson West Australian Newspapers Alan Jones 2GB Radio -- _______________________________________________ Search for businesses by name, location, or phone number. -Lycos Yellow Pages http://r.lycos.com/r/yp_emailfooter/http://yellowpages.lycos.com/default.asp?SRC=lycos10