Cemeteries of the Yankalilla District
Launch of 'Cemeteries of the Yankalilla District-Early Burials' booklet
A History Month SA event
Normanville Wesleyan Cemetery and RSL Hall
Over 30 people came to the former Normanville Wesleyan Church for the launch of the book Cemeteries of the Yankalilla District compiled by Margaret Morgan. A display of articles, maps, posters and photos from the Historical Society collection relating to the fourteen heritage cemeteries were on display in the RSL Hall.
President of the Yankalilla District Historical Society Sue Speck outlined that since the formation of the Society in 1977 the recording of burials and the care of cemeteries has been a priority. Sue thanked the Yankalilla District Lions Club who are looking after a number of the cemeteries in the district, the Yankalilla Men’s shed for creating the replica wooden gate placed at the end of Caroline Thurston’s grave, and the Delamere Action group who are in the process of placing plaques on unmarked graves in the Bullaparinga cemetery and who provided the plinth for the plaque to be unveiled. Sue also thanked the Yankalilla District Council for the small funding grant which went toward the printing of the book, and then asked District Council Mayor Darryl Houston to launch the book.
Mayor Houston spoke of how this publication contributes to preserving and sharing of our local history. The work done to research, photograph and verify burial sites adds to our collective knowledge and supports heritage tourism across the region. He thanked the Historical Society for helping keep history alive and accessible for future generations.
The group then moved outside to the state heritage listed 1856 cemetery and to the plaque recognising the last burial, that of Caroline Thurston in 1893. Descendant Mr. Graham McAinsh and Mayor Houston unveiled the plaque and replica grave gate.
Dr. Margaret Morgan then gave a tour of the cemetery outlining the history of the church and graveyard. Nelson Leak donated the land and built the chapel. His wife Elizabeth was the first one buried there in 1856. Many of the headstones in the cemetery are magnificent examples of carved slate, most of which were carved by George Sara of Willunga. One of the saddest tales was that of one year old George Fergusson the miller’s son who died tragically in 1858 of an accident where he was fatally scalded after falling into hot water from a boiler which was being emptied into an ash pit.
The book Cemeteries of the Yankalilla District – Early Burials lists known burials from the period of the 1850’s to 1900, and gives a short history of the various cemeteries established in the Yankalilla district after the arrival of European Settlers.
The book is available for purchase from the Fleurieu Coast visitor centre. Ph.85580240 email cooee@visitfleurieucoast.com.au.
