Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust

This year, we’ve achieved remarkable outcomes for our people, community, and environment. From improving safety and fostering innovation to building stronger community connections, we’re proud of what we accomplished in 2024.   Here’s a snapshot of our 2024 highlights – focusing on our growth, our people, and our relationships. These achievements reflect the commitment of our teams to work with passion, respect, integrity, dedication, and empathy every day.   We wish our team members, partners and community a safe and happy holiday season. For everything you do, thank you! We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025! ✨   #YearInReview #Teamwork #Community #Innovation #ThankYou

Earlier this month, we welcomed families and friends to Bunurong Memorial Park for our annual Children's Remembrance Service. The festive period can be an especially difficult time for those affected by such profound loss, and we are privileged to provide a space to reflect on and honour the memory of cherished loved ones. Over 150 guests attended the event, which featured a speech from SMCT Interim CEO Lucinda Nolan and the lighting of our Remembrance Candle by SMCT Trust Chair Dr Vanda Fortunato PhD, FAICD. During the service, families were invited to illuminate a personalised white lantern with their child's name and to reflect on 'Eternal Light,' a star owned by SMCT symbolising the everlasting love we hold for those we have lost. Thank you to all who joined us, including City of Greater Dandenong Cr Lana Formoso and Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS) Founder and President Melissa King. Read more about the heartfelt event here: https://lnkd.in/gTNDyPTQ #ChildrensRemembranceService #CommunitySupport #BunurongMemorialPark #EternalLight

Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is excited to announce a new wetlands project for Bunurong Memorial Park (BMP) in Dandenong South. Funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program and SMCT, the new wetlands and habitat project will transform BMP into a model for healthy urban waterways and biodiversity. Through sensitive waterway design and sustainable management of urban water resources, this project aims to: - Introduce vegetated wetlands and restore ecologically significant grassy ephemeral wetlands. - Link waterways to increase and diversify habitat for native wildlife. - Establish an important ecological link to the nearby Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Ramsar site and the remnant wetlands of the former Carrum Carrum Swamp. - Protect and restore indigenous vegetation and support vulnerable bird species in Victoria, including blue-billed ducks and musk ducks. - Build on community connections to our natural environment through improved access to green and blue spaces. This exciting new project will be conducted in project partnership with Melbourne Water, South East Water and City of Greater Dandenong and key stakeholders Mirragimpah Cultural Consultancy. We take this opportunity to thank the Australian Government for their contribution. The project will be delivered over a three-year period, with an expected completion in late 2027. #UrbanRiversandCatchmentsProgram, #NaturalHeritiageTrust, #UrbanRivers, #ClimateResilience, #NaturePositive, #Biodiversity, #DCCEEW, #NativeSpecies, #SaveNativeSpecies, #Conservation 

We are privileged to collaborate with Grief Australia on such a beautiful and heartfelt event. This annual remembrance event was an opportunity for our community to remember their loved ones before the often-difficult festive season. Our Chief Customer Officer Damian Ramondetta says, "these partnerships are incredibly important to SMCT. They allow us to work together to provide so much more support for our grieving community." Thanks again to our partners, including The Compassionate Friends Victoria Inc. (TCFV) and especially to everyone who had the courage to attend, share their memories and stories, and connect in this meaningful space. #grief #partners #remembrance #LoveNeverDies

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to celebrate the diversity of our colleagues and community. At SMCT, we're committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment, guided by our values of respect and empathy. As part of our ongoing commitment, we’re excited to develop our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, which focuses on removing barriers and creating a more equitable and safe space for all. We're engaging and working with our team members to gather lived experiences and insights to shape this plan. #IDPWD #InclusionMatters #DiversityAndInclusion #AllAbilities

At Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, our sites are the final resting place for many Australian servicepeople, and we are privileged to honour their legacy. Remembrance Day is always an important day of commemoration, and this year events were held at both Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Brighton General Cemetery to remember and honour the sacrifices of service personnel. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gyEkMsuQ

It's National Recycling Week, and we're celebrating the steps we've taken to reduce waste around our sites. ♻️🗑️ From soil to cardboard and paper to coffee cups, we're dedicated to environmental responsibility in every area with recycling initiatives across our organisation. See how much we've saved from going to landfill in just over a year, plus learn about some of our initiatives below 👇

Today, on 11 November, we honour the anniversary of the moment in 1918 when the gunfire on the Western Front fell silent. We pause to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. As the final resting place for many Australian service men and women, we are privileged to honour their legacy. On Remembrance Day, we take a minute's silence to reflect on their courage and sacrifice.

We're excited to share that we have won the NSCA Foundation National Safety Award of Excellence in workplace health and safety (large business category) for our innovative solutions to make working around open graves even safer for our teams and community. Our custom-engineered grave safe rails and gantry system, developed in collaboration with Geelong Cemeteries Trust and WorkSafe Victoria, eliminate manual handling risks and ensure safe, respectful lowering of coffins. Through training and engagement with funeral directors and cultural groups, we’ve transformed cemetery operations for a safer future. Our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager Rhiannon says, "at SMCT, we’re not just preserving traditions—we’re pioneering safer practices for generations to come." Congratulations again to all our team members involved in the process, especially Rhiannon Puddy, Josh Ertan, Scott O'Beirne, Ben Hannah, Mark Eaton, Glenn Stow, David Jepson, Katie Ward, Nicole Stow, Kerry-Ann Slade BA(SocSC), MComm and Jenny Parry. #WorkplaceSafety #Innovation #EmployeeExperience #CommunityCare #CorporateResponsibility #Cemeteries

Today is All Souls Day, a special time of prayer and remembrance observed by the Catholic and Christian community. AT SMCT, we warmly invite you, your family, and friends to honour your loved ones by visiting our cemeteries and memorial parks.   While we will not be hosting activities on the day, our beautiful grounds, reflection spaces, and on-site cafés and florists offer comfort and support during your visit. We encourage you to check with local churches for mass services and join the community in commemorating this meaningful day.   Find out more about All Souls Day here: https://lnkd.in/g_zmCEhq   #AllSoulsDay2024