Argument for cremation?
Jan 6th 2004, 8:07 am
#1
Good to be back in UK
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Back in UK
Posts: 750
Argument for cremation?
VANDALS have destroyed a significant part of South Australia's history in an attack on more than 60 graves in West Terrace Cemetery.
As cemetery authorities fear the damage bill for the weekend attack could exceed $500,000, they are equally concerned for the historical losses.
Some of the graves date back to the 1850s and authorities are sceptical about finding relatives to organise repairs.
The extent of the loss will not be known for some days.
National Trust of SA director Rainer Jozeps described many of the grave sites in the cemetery as "our sacred sites".
"This is part of our European history of great age and historic importance," he said.
"It is so mindless against something that is historically and potentially spiritually important to people."
Adelaide City Council deputy Lord Mayor Richard Hayward said the vandalism to the state heritage-listed cemetery was "horrendous".
"The cemetery is part of Adelaide's history," he said.
"I'm absolutely horrified that someone would commit such an act. Vandalism on such a personal, emotional and historic site is absolutely horrendous."
Adelaide Cemeteries Authority chief executive Eric Heapy said the "callous" and "tragic" attack was the first of its kind since 1995.
He said staff now faced the mammoth – and trying – task of locating relatives of the 19th century citizens.
As cemetery authorities fear the damage bill for the weekend attack could exceed $500,000, they are equally concerned for the historical losses.
Some of the graves date back to the 1850s and authorities are sceptical about finding relatives to organise repairs.
The extent of the loss will not be known for some days.
National Trust of SA director Rainer Jozeps described many of the grave sites in the cemetery as "our sacred sites".
"This is part of our European history of great age and historic importance," he said.
"It is so mindless against something that is historically and potentially spiritually important to people."
Adelaide City Council deputy Lord Mayor Richard Hayward said the vandalism to the state heritage-listed cemetery was "horrendous".
"The cemetery is part of Adelaide's history," he said.
"I'm absolutely horrified that someone would commit such an act. Vandalism on such a personal, emotional and historic site is absolutely horrendous."
Adelaide Cemeteries Authority chief executive Eric Heapy said the "callous" and "tragic" attack was the first of its kind since 1995.
He said staff now faced the mammoth – and trying – task of locating relatives of the 19th century citizens.
