General News
3 June, 2026
Cemetery trust reflects on strong year
It is again with pleasure that I present the Chairman's Report for the Rainbow Cemetery Trust following another positive and successful year.
The commitment and dedication of the Trust Members have enabled us to work towards completing the many tasks we face.
I would also like to welcome our new Trust Members, Bruce and Lauren Heinrich and John and Karen Barton and thank them for offering their time and commitment to the Trust.
Heather and Glenda, and I attended the Cemetery Trust Governance training in Horsham, which not only shows the huge number of procedures that are required for the operation of the Trust, but also, more, the opportunity to meet other Trust members and to understand and appreciate the challenges but also the achievements we are all working towards.
Graham also completed the course online and experienced similar results.
As we move forward, we have had to tender the position of a Grave Digger. We are pleased to have offered AJ Heinrich Concreting this tender.
I would like to thank Alan Roberts and, especially, Gerald Kruger for the very professional, high-standard service they provided in their positions.
The Funeral Directors always mention that Rainbow presented the neatest and most professional graves. Thank you guys, and we certainly appreciate your service.
Speaking of service, unfortunately, the Trust will be losing the services of Bob Bastin, who, over many years, has provided the Rainbow Cemetery with invaluable service.
From the lawn section to the old section, Bob has given untold hours of service to maintain the Cemetery to a standard that the Rainbow community could be proud of.
Bob should be very honoured in the service he has given to the Rainbow Cemetery towards the upkeep and presentation of the final resting place for so many of our own family and friends.
Also, to John Martion, whom I approached about his retirement from work, and who has far exceeded my expectations in his commitment and dedication to volunteering his time to the Trust.
How many of us will it take to replace these Blokes?
I don’t know, but I do know we have been blessed to have two men so committed to giving Rainbow a Cemetery that we can be proud of as a final resting place for family and friends.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Joy Sibthorpe for her donation of wall-mounted metal Vases attached to each memorial space in the Niche Walls, a thoughtful gesture and much appreciated.
I know the year ahead will present challenges for us as a Trust, but I feel confident that we will meet them and continue to move forward to be a Cemetery worthy of serving as a final resting place.
A final note: I always say the gates are never locked at the Cemetery, so if anyone ever has time to spare, please feel free to pick a weed, place some flowers back, or offer yourself as a volunteer or Trust Member.
We are all here only to help serve our community.