The walls of the Taromeo Cemetery are being rebuilt one stone at a time

October 9, 2012

South Burnett Regional Council says work is progressing extremely well on the restoration of the historic Taromeo Cemetery, which was severely damaged during the 2011 floods.

The stone wall which was knocked down is being painstakingly restored by hand.

Local stonemasons Roy Welling and his son Geoff are undertaking the work slowly but surely. Stone by stone, the wall is “rising from the ruins”.

Cr Deb Palmer said the majority of the headstones had also been removed, repaired and were now standing upright in their original locations.

Funding for the restoration has come from both the State Government and the Federal Government (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities).

Volunteer labour also helped to prepare the site, collecting and sorting the stones to enable the stone masons to undertake the work.

Cr Palmer said the work of the volunteers and Council staff had been invaluable and was a testimony to the community spirit of the South Burnett region.

Once the restoration has been completed, the community will be invited to attend an open day to view and appreciate the reopening of the historic site.

The 2011 floods knocked down the drystone walls and tipped over headstones