The Echuca Cemetery is governed by local voluntary Trust Members appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Victorian Minister of Health.
The Trust comprises members with a range of skills and interests and members have made a significant contribution to the Cemetery, in some cases over many decades.
In Victoria, all public cemeteries are situated on Crown land and managed by public cemetery trusts.
The primary legislation on which cemetery trusts are governed is under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act.
The objectives of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act are to ensure that:
- human remains are treated with dignity and respect
- all Victorians have access to cemetery and crematoria services
- cemetery trusts operate effectively and efficiently in accordance with the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act.
The Echuca Cemetery Trust is always keen to speak with individuals who may wish to become a volunteer Trust Member or volunteer in another capacity such as cemetery maintenance, special projects or research/information management.
The role of a Cemetery Trust
Cemetery trusts are an integral part of our society and serve the community by providing cemetery services and maintaining public cemeteries.
Ultimately, cemetery trusts are accountable to the Minister for Health and are responsible for the conduct and performance of the cemetery trust entity.
At a general level cemetery trusts have:
- a strategic role in setting the overall operational direction of the cemetery trust
- a stewardship role in ensuring that the cemetery trust’s activities reflect public sector values and employment principles, and that the cemetery trust has arrangements in place to meet its statutory obligations and safeguard assets it has under its management
- a governance role in making sure the functions of the trust and roles and responsibilities of all trust members are carried out in an equitable manner.
Trust members collectively share the ultimate responsibility for the trust’s success. Individually, trust members have a responsibility to ensure the trust is undertaking its responsibilities and are aware of the current regulatory requirements and the evolution of contemporary practices in which the trust operates.