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Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries Inc.
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News - In Brief An important milestone was reached by the Friends on 28 March 2008 when we signed up our 50th member less than ten months since becoming incorporated. The Friends have compiled a draft list of historic interments at the Cheltenham cemeteries. The initial list comprises some 20 victims of tragic events and a further 140 persons of note from all walks of life. The list will form the basis of our newsletter and future walking tours. We have made a copy of two of the four files on the Cheltenham cemeteries held by the Department of Human Services. Future Plans Plans for the future include: Photographing all gravesites at the Pioneer Cemetery and combine with the headstone inscriptions on CD. Talks are underway with the Rotary Club Hampton to assist (planned for 2008) Did You Know? Victims of some of the biggest crimes and tragic stories are interred within the burial grounds, including the Gun Alley Murder (1921), the Caulfield Railway disaster (1926), the Westgate Bridge collapse (1970), the Hoddle Street massacre (1987), and the HMAS Westralia disaster (1998)? Visit our special webpage, dedicated to remembering the Caulfield Railway Disaster. More... (All donations goes towards furthering the aims of the Friends. More...)	News News of what's happening to give you an idea of the work of the Friends. First Annual General Meeting The first Annual General Meeting of the Friends will be held at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery shelter house, Charman Road, Cheltenham on Sunday 17 August 2008 at 2.00pm. Our AGM is a time for renewed focus, a new committee and a new direction. We urge all members to consider how they can get behind the committee and help achieve our aims. Commemorating the Caulfield Railway Disaster On a delightful Sunday, the Friends held a commemorative service attended by over 25 people at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. Little had been researched and much less written on Melbourne's third worst metropolitan railway disaster. The day was about remembering this forgotten chapter of history, a tragedy that affected more lives in Melbourne's south-east than any other. It was the culmination of many hours of research and writing by the Friends which was shared to local historical and family groups who attended on the day. The highlight of the day was the presence of members of the Dobney family to unveil a bronze memorial plaque honouring the life of a brave young man who gave his live for others. Local historical societies and family history groups were invited and those who attended were provided with all material collated on the disaster. Building partnerships of mutual benefit with local groups is what we aim to achieve. We have dedicated a webpage especially on the disaster as a fitting tribute to the three men and over 153 who were injured. More... (Photos courtesy of Glen Turnbull) 82nd Anniversary of the Caulfield Railway Disaster On Sunday 25 May, the Friends will be commemorating the 1926 Caulfield Railway disaster with an invitation-only event. The highlight of the day will be the unveiling of a bronze memorial plaque in memory of one of the victims of this little known disaster. The plaque was kindly donated by Arrow Bronze and reads: "DOBNEY IN LOVING MEMORY OF WILLIAM HUNTER (1905-26) TRAGICALLY LOST HIS LIFE CAULFIELD RAILWAY DISASTER 26 MAY 1926 AGED 21 A COURAGEOUS AND BRAVE MAN WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS UNVEILED 25 MAY 2008 ORGANISED BY THE FRIENDS AND THE CHELTENHAM AND REGIONAL CEMETERIES TRUST"
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