Fremantle Cemetery Manager, 1958 - 1988 [oral history] / / interviewer: Margaret Howroyd

DESCRIPTION

AuthorMcClurg, Albert Porter, 1923 -; Howroyd, MargaretDescriptionWorked in accountancy in Ireland before migrating to Australia in 1958 on board the "Fairsky" on its maiden voyage -- Interview for the job at Fremantle Cemetery -- Appointed 1 October 1958 -- House provided -- Conditions at the cemetery at the time of the appointment: neglect, shortage of money, misappropriation of funds, no crematorium, grave maintenance -- Crematorium loan -- Opening of crematorium in 1959 - Claude Nicholas, architect -- First cremation -- Putting the accounts in order -- Five year plans -- Revenue generation -- 5 staff in 1958: 1 gravedigger, 4 general gardeners and handymen -- Staff increased to 12 or 14 -- Loan discharge -- 1964 agreement: local authorities to take a more active part in administration of cemetery -- New board, no clergy on it -- Sir Frederick Samson -- Wally Doust -- Albert McClurg attending board meetings -- Lawn cemetery in 1965 -- Upkeep of family graves -- Monumental masons and funeral directors -- Bookings -- Possible problems with graves -- Digging by-laws -- Public relations -- Holidays from the job -- Problems with living in a cemetery -- Margaret McClurg's employment -- Office work at the cemetery -- Week-end duty -- Vandalism and insurance -- Exhumations -- The cemetery and the media -- Records system and genealogical research -- Improvements -- Anniversaries, special days -- Special grave for stillborn and miscarried children -- An exhumation described -- Custody of old gravestones from Skinner Street and Alma Street cemeteries -- Upkeep of avenues within the cemetery -- Waterside workers' graves -- Servicemen's graves upkeep -- Interesting headstones -- Fremantle Cemetery Board -- Resignation in 1988 -- Delegate at conferences -- Retirement after 30 years as manager of the cemeteryImprintFremantle, W.A. : LHC, 1992Collation2 sound cassettes (120 min.) + Guide to contents (8 leaves)LanguageEnglishDate Published1992Dewey ClassOH/MCCAudio FormatCassetteDigital ItemYes

COPIES

Barcode30118000425052LocationOral History Collection

PeopleAlbert Porter McClurgSubjectFremantle CemeteryCemeteriesFuneral rites and ceremoniesCollectionOral History Collection

ACCESS

Request AccessPlease email the Fremantle History Centre: lhc@fremantle.wa.gov.au