Cassilis-History-Stories

Cassilis Cemetery

The Cassilis Cemetery would have been a snapshot of the history of the town, which no longer exists, other than by a name on the map. Like so many towns that grew like mushrooms out of the ground fertilised by the gold found in an area. Cassilis appeared. Not as a township at first, but with hope people named it. Mining was often intermittent, because there was little water. Certainly no permanent water, exacerbated by an unpredictable and unreliable rainfall. There was nothing glamorous about the mining boom in the area, and this was further dulled by the dangerous work and harsh living conditions that those early miners and other workers endured to collect a wage.

The Cassilis historic cemetery is on the other side of the parking area of the Cassilis recreation reserve. This is fortunate, because it gives the visitor to the small amphitheatre like cleft between the hills more to look at and enjoy. Both these public facilities are a feature of the area. The trust of the former and committee of the latter are working together ensuring that the both these become more relevant for the visitors from outside the region and small communities that surround them.

Members of the Cassilis Cemetery Trust taking
delivery of the new mower.

The current trust members have managed to secure some funding that will save them costs for maintenance of the cemetery and allow them to perform other tasks.

Many forebears of local families are buried in the cemetery and probably enjoyed days upon the reserve where they could share a day with their families and in some small way include those who had perished from the many causes of death which occur in a mining community of bygone days.

The recent memorials show that there are still many people who would like to visit and remember there loved ones in the peace and quiet of the hills, in the company of residual memories of others in the ambiance of the small picturesque valley. It is a quiet place and maintained and encouraged to be so.

Some aspects of the Cassilis Historic Cemetery

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal has bestowed a grant upon the Cassilis cemetery. The grant is for the purpose of replacing trees which have died of extreme old age and been removed for reasons of safety and aesthetics and to plant trees that will produce shade and demonstrate the diversity of the community who interred the tangible remains of their loved ones into this ground.

The project financed by the grant has already attracted other suppliers who have donated trees, shrubs and plants that will enhance the natural focus of the cemetery as being a tranquil place for those who wish to use the cemetery as a place where they can contemplate and enjoy the memories of time and events shared with their loved ones. It is becoming a place where peace can be found, and tranquility embraced.

As stated above, the Cassilis Cemetery board of trustees have received a grant from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal organisation to replace trees lost and to complement and enhance the Cassilis Cemetery. The funds are provided in collaboration with the R. E. Ross Trust.

The Board of Trustees is grateful for the assistance from these organisations. The cemetery is more a place of tranquillity, restful contemplation and celebration of life, for all members of the local communities and visitors alike. It's a place where any who visit can enjoy the simple pleasure of being alive and consider a history and those who were part of it, to get a better understanding of the impacts that are being made today.

The cemetery is an area used by people from all walks of life and socioeconomic environments who have a interest in history, genealogy and the plain curious who would like to glance over or delve deeper into the areas past.

The grant assists the board of trustees not only to maintain the history which is left and viewable, but also that which is imaginable and no less real. It also allows features that were lost to be replaced and new purpose to be generated.

So it begins.

Many in the local communities and visitors see the Cassilis cemetery as a venue. Not merely to visit the departed, but much as the original residents did; to be in a place with meaning for the living. A place where past is in tandem with the present and death in tandem with life. This appears to be the way it was from stories told. An example of which is Chinese families bringing food to the departed to sustain them on their journey.

Hence the recreation reserve is cheek by jowl with the cemetery. All members of the past and present, with varied interests and employment, meeting together in a common environment that shows an interest in life and living, side by side with an acceptance of mortality. The latter required to enrich the life experience.

The current board of trustees has been pleased to allow the cemetery to host the textile sculpture of Chaco Kato in recent times and be a place holder for other such events.

This seems to be in keeping with the definitions of action and purpose of the cemetery as decreed by those who requested it's creation in the first instance. Using the location as a portal through which those whom they love, departed to reach what they aspire to attain. It seems to be a sacred trust of purpose. To ensure those interred are not left alone and apart from the living. But rather part of the celebrations and in view of people moving ever on through life. The living knowing the comfort of being in the spiritual presence of the departed, who have a connection to this place.