The cemetery trust responsible for Pine Lodge Cemetery is seeking public input into a new adornment policy.
Remembrance Parks Central Victoria launched a survey last week, asking people questions about how they used the cemetery and what was important to them and calling for their thoughts on the adornment policy.
The trust came under fire in January amid complaints from the Shepparton and Bendigo communities after photos, ornaments and toys were removed from graves at cemeteries, including Pine Lodge.
Grieving families discovered the items were taken on the weekend of January 21 and 22.
The trust’s chief executive from that time no longer works there, and her replacement is vowing the trust will do better.
The new chief executive, Lauretta Stace, said she had spent the past six weeks speaking to people with loved ones in all of the RPCV-run cemeteries, and she said she was willing to talk to anyone else with concerns.
Most meetings so far have been one-on-one talks with people affected by the decisions made in January to strip adornments from graves without notice.
However, Mrs Stace said she had also spoken to some small groups who wanted to be heard about the policy but had not been affected directly by the changes.
“I spoke to them personally to understand their views and how they felt,” Mrs Stace said.
“It’s important to learn of their experiences.”
Mrs Stace was meeting with a person this week who had been affected by January’s move at Pine Lodge to discuss their thoughts about the adornment policy, but said she was prepared to meet with others in the coming weeks.
“I would like to reach out to others as well,” she said.
“At some point, the organisation lost its compass.
“We were out of alignment with our values.
“It is important to get us back on track.
“It’s important to talk to people.”
Mrs Stace said the survey was available to anyone who wanted to have a say about RPCV-run cemeteries and took only about 10 minutes to complete.
“The more participation we get, the more information we will have to guide our policies,” she said.
The survey will run for a few more weeks and can be found at https://www.rpcv.org.au/remembrance-parks-your-cemeteries-your-views/
For those without access to the internet, hard copies are also available by emailing carolyn@stanfordmarketing.com.au or phoning 5444 3602 to request one.
If anyone wants a one-on-one discussion with Mrs Stace about the adornment policy, they can email her at ceo@rpcv.org.au to organise one.
After the survey is completed, a report will be done on the responses, and a draft policy is expected by mid-December.
Mrs Stace said people would also have the chance to comment on that draft policy before a final policy was made.
“We’re open to learning more from others so we can reset and rebuild the trust (in RPCV),” she said.
Since taking over the chief executive role in August, Mrs Stace has met with a group of residents angry about the new flat beams installed at Pine Lodge.
Since that meeting, the trust has changed its policy, and the angled raised headstones have been reinstated.