Excellence Award 2026

This year the CCAV was pleased to reintroduce its Excellence Award.

The response was outstanding, with six submissions received—demonstrating the passion, commitment and pride communities across Victoria have for their local cemeteries.

Submissions were received from:

• Broadford Cemetery Trust

• Bungaree Cemetery Trust

• Whitefield Cemetery Trust

• Moorngag Cemetery Trust

• Inverloch Cemetery Trust

• Cudgewa Cemetery Trust

Every submission was deserving of recognition. Each demonstrated a strong community focus and reflected the respect, passion and care shown for local cemeteries and the communities they serve.

The submissions were diverse and inspiring—from recognising forgotten individuals and memorialising those not previously identified, to undertaking significant improvements that preserve cemeteries and support their long-term future. 

Although the committee faced the difficult task of selecting a single recipient, I am delighted to announce that the 2026 CCAV Excellence Award is presented to Inverloch Cemetery Trust.

Over the past two years, the Trust has revitalised its operations through the development of a comprehensive master plan. Its achievements include establishing a weed and invasive-species management initiative that expanded into a green-waste recycling program supported by the local council; restructuring the Trust to encourage greater member participation; creating a new document library; and reviewing external contracts, among many other improvements.

The Award was presented to Inverloch Cemetery Trust.