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Farewell for Broadford Cemetery Trust stalwarts

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Max Davies
Max Davies
Max is a journalist for the North Central Review. He joined the paper as a cadet journalist in 2021 and graduated from La Trobe University in 2023. He takes a keen interest in motorsport and the automotive industry.

By Max Davies

THE Broadford Cemetery Trust last week passed on its gratitude to retiring members Alan and Lorraine Cook following a combined 48 years of dedicated service.

Alan joined the Broadford Cemetery Trust in 1991 and became a familiar face at the cemetery, spending numerous hours during his 31 years with the trust quietly attending to maintenance and capital works.

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Lorraine took responsibility for hosting trust meetings and was the go-to person for any cemetery visitors looking for a particular grave, enquiring about a proposed burial or commenting on the cemetery itself, while also managing the phones and dealing with issues as they arose since joining the trust in 2001.

The pair lived next to the cemetery in Mollison Street until earlier this month and will now spend their retirement together at Willowmeade in Kilmore.

Lorraine Cook, left, with son Peter and husband Alan. ​

Broadford Cemetery Trust secretary Brian O’Dwyer said Alan and Lorraine’s time with the trust had left a memorable mark on the other members and the families of Broadford Cemetery.

“The Broadford community is very appreciative of Alan as he really was the ‘face of the cemetery’, who met most of the visitors, showed them around and was able to assist with their enquiries,” he said.

“Alan was particularly passionate in restoring the very old graves that had fallen into disrepair, underpinning them and making dangerous graves safe. He spent many hours cleaning the old marble headstones and repairing the engraving.”

The farewell was also an opportunity for people close to the Cooks and the cemetery to share memories and extend thanks to the pair, including Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens and cemetery gravedigger Archie Baines, who worked alongside Alan and Lorraine for many years.

Broadford Cemetery Trust chairman Paul Fleming reflected on memories with the pair and said Alan’s experience with other groups in Broadford helped to shape his approach to the cemetery.

“I have known Alan and Lorraine for most of my life and have admired them as they quietly and humbly ran a successful motor repair business in the town while also participating in sporting and community activities,” he said.

“[Alan] was often exposed to conflict, criticism and dispute from mostly emotionally driven families. He was so often the daily face of the cemetery – good days and bad days – and understood the emotion of dispute which he quietly absorbed and patiently, in most cases, resolved.”

The trust prepared a collection of historical images and accounts as additional certificates of appreciation, which was gifted to Alan and Lorraine at the farewell event.

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