Four life members are being recognised by a new group of trustees for the Katamatite Cemetery Trust.
The old cemetery sign has been replaced to acknowledge the life-long community service of Ray Mills, Pat O'Kane, Selwyn Lukies and Chris Crawford.
Mr O'Kane has been mowing, slashing and working at the cemetery since he was 14, only stopping five years ago at the age of 90.
He served as chairperson 2004 to 2019, taking over from Mr Lukies, who chaired the trust for 15 years from 1989 to 2004.
Mr Lukies said his father was president before he took over.
“I remember at the end of spring when the grass was drying out, they would get the fire truck and some volunteers and would burn it to prevent summer bushfires — it was the only way to control the situation,” Mr Lukies said.
“There used to be a lot of burning around town in those days.”
Mr Lukies, who lived in Katamatite until he was about 50, said he felt privileged to be recognised for his service.
“It's all very nice — when you do these community things you only do it to help, being recognised is not a forethought,” he said.
“I think it’s extremely important that the local cemetery is looked after by people of the local community who will keep it in order”.
The trust committee was also recognising past secretaries Elaine Barnes (2001-2017) and Ms Crawford (1983-2000) for their contributions.
Ms Crawford moved to Katamatite in 1971 and said she was humbled to be recognised as a life member.
“Being a small town, we didn't want the cemetery to be taken over so we maintained it ourselves,” she said.
“I was a member of Katamatite Lions Club at the time and we would hold working bees at the cemetery.
“Lawn cemeteries were starting to become popular and as a community we realised we were going to need that to keep the locals in the area.
“My husband Rod designed the cemetery and worked on the irrigation system.”
Ms Crawford said it was a credit to Katamatite Lions Club members who have been maintaining the cemetery for many years.
The club recently added a fully automated watering system and will soon be making improvements to the cemetery garden beds.
The Katamatite Cemetery Trust members, including Darryl Lukies, Ray Mills, Robert Peachey, Leonie Hodge, Michael Coates, Andrew Moffatt, Graham Lukies, John Parnell, Debbie McGurgan and Stephen Dickie, thanked Edna O'Kane, Rod Crawford and Rodger Dowsett for their service.