Headstones preserved for future

Ipswich Councillor Andrew Antoniolli with council employees Jacqui Morgan and Tracey Olivieri at the Ipswich General Cemetery.

Sarah Harvey

THE Ipswich City Council has launched its Historical Cemeteries Project to ensure the historical significance of the Ipswich General Cemetery is preserved for future generations.

Health and Regulations Committee chairman Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the project was part of the council’s initiative to correct errors in the burial data.

Cr Antoniolli said the project involved photographing about 20,000 headstones and monuments at high resolution and ensuring the information was accurately recorded.

Inscriptions and intricate designs in the headstones and monuments were lost due to general ageing and weathering.

He said some of the headstones were more than 100 years old and were not fit to withstand the test of time.

“If we do not photograph these now they will continue to be lost into the future until there is very little left,” Cr Antoniolli said.

He said the project was open to volunteers and was ideal for anyone interested in learning about the history of Ipswich.

As well as family histories, Ipswich General Cemetery reflected the city’s milestones such as mining disasters, war, floods and epidemics which account for the high number of infant graves.

Cr Antoniolli said the project was under way and should continue for about three months.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact community partnerships officer Miranda Reis on 3810 6666.