Though thanks to local community member, Bob Bray and many other community members, this has now changed. The names and details of 90 unmarked graves are now recognised by a small mounted head stone, recently installed by a community effort and money raised by a caring community.
Seventeen people assisted Bob Bray on Wednesday February 22nd with the saying ‘many hands make light work’ ringing true with all work completed within two hours. Huge thanks must go to Dumbleyung Roadhouse for donating a magnificent and delicious spread of food and beverages for the volunteers to enjoy after all their hard work.
All those that were in unmarked graves at the Nippering Cemetery have, in a small, medium or large way, contributed to our Shire; some as pioneers in this very new district that we now enjoy and call home.
The question as to why these graves weren’t marked? The reasons are many. Early in the 20th century a lot of single people left depressed economies of Great Britain and other places for a new life in Australia so didn’t have families (relations). Some came to make farms but didn’t succeed so money wasn’t available. Just surviving was hard enough and some left the district.
Statistics of the Nippering Cemetery/the 90 unmarked graves:
Males – 47, Females – 28, Infant – 11, Initials only – 4
Overall in the Cemetery - 41 children under 15 years old.
An interesting fact is that pioneer George Kersley Senior who died in 1906 and is buried at the Nippering Cemetery, was born 200 years ago in Feb 1817.
Written by Anonymous