Welcome to Bellbrae Cemetery
Like many public cemeteries, large and small, in the state of Victoria, the Bellbrae Cemetery is administered by a Cemetery Trust. The Trust consists primarily of local community volunteers and are unpaid positions. Trusts operate cemeteries on behalf of the State Government who has overall responsibility for the operation, rules and regulations concerning cemeteries as they are generally located on Public (Crown) Land.
The Trust meets regularly throughout the year. Items of business include correspondence, finance, sexton’s report, budgets and planning.
The Trust has a part time Administrator. The Trust Members and the Administrator work together to ensure required tasks are carried out e.g. forward planning, cemetery development, funeral services and grave digging, grounds maintenance, overall administration of the Trust and public enquiries.
The main source of income is from burials with ad hoc government grants for special projects. Donations and bequests are occasionally received and always welcomed from our community, service clubs and individuals.
Trust Member vacancies are advertised in the local press when available and are for a period of up to five years.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the cemetery exists, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
History & Community
The Bellbrae Public Cemetery (also known as Jan Juc and Puebla Cemetery) was approved by the Governor in Council in March 1864 (gazetted in September 1864). It is classified as a Class B Cemetery Trust under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003 (amended 2010) and the powers of the Trust are specified in this Act. A Cemetery Trust in Victoria is also a body corporate, created by Regulations (introduced 1995 & updated 2015) under the Cemeteries Act 1958.
The Trust consists of community members who volunteer their time and skills to govern and manage the Trust and the Cemetery for their community. This includes Governance, Finance, Reporting, Maintenance and Planning.
In addition Trust Members are charged with ensuring funding provision for perpetual maintenance of the public cemetery. They must adhere to and respect the cultural and religious values of the community as well as the heritage values of the cemetery.
Our Mission
By working with our community we will:
- Deliver a quality & caring service with compassion; and
- Create & maintain an enduring & accessible remembrance into perpetuity
Our Vision
We will achieve our Mission through:
- Building & fostering positive Community Engagement & Service
- Responsible & visible Financial Accountability & Governance
- Respecting and Valuing our Environment & Grounds
- Proactively Managing our Projects & Infrastructure