NEW IT equipment funded by the State Government is expected to play an important role in assisting record keeping at Chiltern Cemetery and allow ease of access for the public and cemetery members.

The Chiltern Cemetery Trust was recently awarded $2278 under the government’s 2023/24 Cemetery Grants Program, with the funding immediately directed towards upgrading the cemetery’s waning IT infrastructure.

Trust member Wendy Grover said the funding had been 10 years in the making, and will assist essential record-keeping at the site.

She said upgrades were needed to improve the cemetery’s accessibility for the public and local members, as well as to support the hand-over of information when needed.

Across the North East, seven other cemetery trusts received varying funding between $4200 and $28,200, including Boorhaman, Eldorado, Tarrawingee, Myrtleford, Harrietville, Havilah and Milawa.

Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes said the grant funding would be valuable within the community.

“Cemeteries play an important role in our local community – this grant will allow them to get much-needed upgrades,” she said.

The grants are designed to support volunteer-run cemeteries in operating as “peaceful and welcoming” places of remembrance for the community.

Grant rounds are awarded twice yearly, with applications for the current round set to close on March 31.

“Providing Victorians with peaceful places to visit and honour loved ones who have died makes these grants all the more important,” according to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas.

For more information and to apply, visit health.vic.gov.au/cemeteries-and-crematoria/cemetery-grants-program.