CCAV 60 years
Take a look back at the rich history of CCAV and where it all began.
18 May 1965
First meeting
A group of Cemetery and Crematoria managers came together with the aim of forming an association that would provide understanding, assistance, discussion and alliance for the cemetery and crematoria industry in Victoria.
1965-1966
Chairman: W J MacGill
Cemetery advisory council reformed.
The constitution and bylaws of the association were adopted.
Log of claims and lawn cemtery cost issues are discussed.
1967-1968
Chairman K D Neville
Industrial unrest leads to stop-work meetings at Western Suburbs Memorial Park.
1969
President: C W Sidway
Wage Board issues are discussed
1970-1971
President: H J Crowhurst
Resignation of the Chariman and Secretary in June 1970 due to lack of involvement by mmebers.
Stonemason allege in The Herald newspaper that cemeteries take commissions.
1980 -1981
President: G Lumsden
Monuments and Monumental Masons cause concern to some Cemteries.
Wage board and Log of Claims are discussed.
1974-1979
President unknown
According to meeting records from individual Cemeteries, on of the major issues discussed during this period was the potential formation of a separate association for cemetery trustees.
A seperate association was never formed, but the issue of trustee involvement was highlighted.
1973
President: Unknown
Undertakers Assistans and Cemeteries Employees Union requests a hearing in support of wage increases.
1972
President: H J Crowhurst
Issue of burial ground space shortage in metropolitan areas is discussed.
1982
President: W Shears
Wage board agrees to a 38-hour work week.
The association now has 38 members
1983
President: W Shears
Draft copy of a new Cemeteries Act is written, copies are distributed for comment
Standardisation of fees is considered.
1984
President: G MacGill
The role of the Association is reviewed and the aim is stated as:
To continue to provide industry knowledge and to extend member services and increase membership.
1986-1987
President A B O'Connor
DHS allocated funds for a new cemetery in Lilydale.
Trustees are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting for the first time in order to raise awareness of the types of Business discussed at CCAV meetings and to give trustees the chance to meet with their colleagues from other cemeteries.
1985
President; G MacGill
John Coyle and Jack Thomas are both made life members of the Association.
Gippsland Crematorium opened.
1988
President: G Fagg
DHS Proceeds with 25 land purchases for Cemeteries in Victoria.
Geelong Crematorium opened, 19 May 1988
1989
President: I Keith
CCAV continues to lobby for urgent amendments to the Cemeteries Act of 1958
1990
President: I Keith
Revision of the Rules for incorporation is adopted by members and approved by the Office of Coroporate Affairs.
1991-1992
President: I Roddick
Bendigo Crematorium opens in November.
CCAV opposes the introduction of mausoleums in Victoria until a satisfcatory limit is placd on the relative tenture.
1993
President: M Tucker
The Regulatory Impact Statement for Mausolea is being finalised.
1994
President: M Tucker
Industry faces threat from private memorials being allowed in church grounds and prive operators wishing to enter the industry.
1995
President A B O'Connor
14 Cemeteries are placed under the Finanial Management Act
Lilydale Crematorium officially opens on 27 May 1995.
1996
President: B Macumber
CCAV has a combined meeting at Coonawarra with the Cemetery Association of South Australia.
1997
President: B Macumber
Meeting Procedure Guidelines are reviewed.
The Cemeteries Act 1958 is reviewed.
1998
President: M Godfrey
CCAV Delegation meets Mr Robert Doyle (Parliamentary Secretary), regarding the maintenance fund.
1999
President: P Tocknell
Review of the Cemeteries Act 1958 continues to move slowly, as a result CCAV engaged a lobbyist
2000
President: P Tocknell
Spiritual Diversity Seminar and Hortskill courses are conducted.
2001
President: P Bachelor
DHS Training package begins.
Re-draft of Standardisation of Monumental Regulations consultative progress commences.
2002
President: P Bachelor
Monumental Regulations Guidelines are completed.
Privacy Statement is developed.
2003
President: J Gilbertson
Membership reaches 152
Certificate of Merit is developed and Ian Keith and Ian Roddick are inaugural recipients.
2004
President: J Shaw
Completion of DHS Training Project Trustee's Manual.
Rules and Regulations of the Association updated.
2005
President: J Shaw
DHS implements the Cemeteries and Crematorium Act 2003 from 1st of July.
CCAV introduces Affiliate and Associate membership catergories.
2006-2007
Presdient: B O'Connor
Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park: 100 years of service
CCAV assisted the Government with Pandemic Planning guidelines.
State Services review of the Victorian Cemetery sector.
2008
President: D Thomas
Change of secretariat from ORB Mangement to PAMS
2009
President: D Thomas
CCAV and VMIA developed a Risk Management Framework Document.
2010
President: G Solomano
New Reforms introduced, commencement of Class A and Class B Structure.
2011
President: R Shell
Change of Secretariat from PAMS to ACCA
2012
President: F De Groot
Homesglen Tafe appointed as CCAV Training Facilitator.
Asbestos was found to be present in old mastic glue used to adhere bronze plaques to niche walls.
The CCAV Program of recycling of metals collected following cremation has been signed by all Victorian Crematoria, being the first state in Australia to recycle.
2013
President: F De Groot
Inaugural 'Excellence in Cemeteries' award - Recipient Wendy Ohlsen, Creswick Cemetery Trust
2014
President: B O'Connor
Geelong Cemeteries Trust celebrates 175 Years of Eastern Cemetery
Benalla Cemetery Trust celebrates 160 Years
2015
President: B O'Connor
The CCAV has delivered over 160 Lone Pine trees to Members throughout Victoria. To commemorate 100 years since the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.
CCAV sponsors the 5000 Poppies project - A community tribute of respect and remembrance.
2016
President: F De Groot
2017
President: D Crowe
Appointed Bronwyn Rowbotham as part time Executive Officer.
Developed the strategic place 2017-2020
2018
President: D Crowe
CCAV Annual Awards - Above and Beyond (For an individual) Innovation Award) Team project
2019
President: J Voce
Participated in the DHHS Cemeteries Strategic Working Group Sponsorship survey was undertaken by Evergreen independent consultants.
2020
President: J Voce
AGM was conducted remotely via ZOOM.
A vote of members at the March meeting was taken, and the unanimous decision was to postpone the 2020 Annual Conference as a result of COVID-19 and to reschedule for 2021
Participated in the DHHS COVID-19 Working group meetings and provided up-to-date information to members in a rapidly changing environment.
2022
President: A De Jong
Finalise agreement with Worksafe Victoria to develop a training program: Safety in and around Graves.
2023
President: A De Jong
Combined AGM and Trade show event.
Rye Cemetery Trust advised that they would cease providing secretariat services in 2024.
2024
President: R Luscombe
Employed Norelle Cole as Executive Officer.
Launched Worksafe Training Package
Trade show held at GMCT Lilydale.