TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW 04 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN 08 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO 10 MESSAGE FROM THE CFO 12 HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015 14 OBJECTIVES 15 2 3 DEVELOP A BEST PRACTICE MODEL FOR RGCRT 16 DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY INTERMENT RELATED SERVICES 30 BROADEN ENGAGEMENT WITH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS 36 DEVELOP OUR PEOPLE & CULTURE 42 CREATING A SUSTAINABLE CEMETERY 54 CONSERVE ROOKWOOD’S HERITAGE 60 FINANCIAL REPORT 65 DISCLOSURE INDEX 84 GLOSSARY OF TERMS 85 Tadgell’s Bluebell, Rookwood Cemetery OUR HISTORY OVERVIEW Rookwood Cemetery has operated continuously since 1867, making it one of the oldest working cemeteries in Australia. Today, Rookwood serves as a significant and fascinating ABOUT THIS REPORT source of Australian history. This Annual Report meets our compliance and government requirements and is designed to provide our stakeholders with easy to read information on the performance and activities of Rookwood RGCRT acknowledges the Wangal people as the traditional 1948 – 1980: In 1948, after 80 years of service, the historic General Cemeteries Reserve Trust (RGCRT) for the 2014/15 financial year. It is also available online custodians of the land upon which Rookwood Cemetery is Mortuary Station ceased operation, due largely to the rise of at www.rookwoodcemetery.com.au. located. The Wangal people are part of the oldest continuous motor vehicles as a form of transport. culture in the world and we formally pay respect to their elders, The Station gradually fell into disrepair and was eventually sold in RGCRT see Annual Reports not only as part of our compliance with the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act both past and present. 1951 to Reverend Mr Buckle for 100 pounds. It was dismantled (2013), but also as a governance document. This is the third Annual Report for RGCRT and the first official brick by brick and transported to Canberra in 83 semi-trailers, Annual Report from a compliance perspective. The Annual Report enables RGCRT to encourage effective : Sydney’s first cemetery, known as the Old Burial 1792 – 1861 where it was converted into the All Saints Church of England in communication of financial and business information. Ground, was situated where Sydney Town Hall stands today. Ainslie, Canberra. By the early 1840s, this burial ground was becoming overcrowded Also, this annual report outlines the interaction RGCRT has with the community and recognises how and the need for a new cemetery was apparent. In 1860, an 1981 – 2011: The idea of storing genealogical information on a effectively this engagement has developed over 2014/2015. advertisement appeared in the Government Gazette seeking land computer database was first discussed as a possibility in 1981. for this purpose, to be located between Sydney and Parramatta. A call went out for volunteers from the Society of Australian Genealogists to assist with the process of transcribing information ABOUT ROOKWOOD GENERAL CEMETERIES 1862 – 1875: In 1862, the government purchased 200 acres of from Rookwood Cemetery’s headstones and around 90 people land at Haslem’s Creek from Messers Cohen and Benjamin, for gathered to assist with what became known as the “Rookwood 4 RESERVE TRUST which they received the sum of ten pounds per acre. Project”. 5 The first burial reportedly took place in 1867, when the body of Over the next seven years, the volunteers visited Rookwood on Rookwood Cemetery is co-managed by Rookwood General Cemeteries John Whalan, an 18-year-old pauper, was laid to rest. many Sunday mornings to continue the transcribing. Reserve Trust (RGCRT), a not-for-profit organisation established in 2012 by Friends of Rookwood established in 1993 are a community based : Residents of Haslem’s Creek began agitating for a the then Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson, MP. 1876 – 1912 group interested in the restoration of Rookwood Cemetery, who change of name for their suburb to remove its association with proactively promote awareness of the location. the cemetery. The local railway station and suburb were renamed RGCRT unites the former Anglican, General, Independent, Jewish and Muslim Trusts, each of which had Rookwood and were commonly known by this name by 1878. previously managed parts of Rookwood Cemetery. 2012 – Today: RGCRT was established in 2012, following NSW cemetery legislation reforms. This united the Anglican, General, : By 1913, Rookwood’s residents complained that 1913 – 1947 Independent, Jewish and Muslim Trusts that had formerly RGCRT operates under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act (2013), which is overseen by the NSW once again, their suburb was too closely associated with the managed Rookwood. Today, RGCRT operates for the whole Department of Primary Industries. cemetery, which had gradually adopted the name of the railway community within the principles outlined under the Cemeteries station. The suburb’s name was again changed, this time to and Crematoria Act (2013). We are proud custodians of 190 hectares of the cemetery land, which equates to over two-thirds of the Lidcombe, a combination of the names of two former mayors of site. The remainder of the site is managed by the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (CMCT) and the the town, Lidbury and Larcombe. The cemetery continued to be The Future: Our role is to safeguard and celebrate the important Rookwood Memorial Gardens & Crematorium (InvoCare). known as Rookwood. heritage of Rookwood Cemetery, while also ensuring its viability Rookwood was a significant part of the Sydney rail network; with and relevance to modern life. special funeral trains running from purpose designed “receiving houses” beginning at Regent Street in the city and ending in the centre of Rookwood. Twice daily services operated and tickets were one shilling each way, however corpses travelled for free. MISSION, VISION & VALUES CORE ORGANISATIONAL COMPETENCIES The following core organisational skills and competencies are vital to achieving our mission: Our vision is realising our full Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust (RGCRT) Customer Service potential to create a sustainable is a community minded, innovative organisation Provide an efficient and empathetic customer service team who are trained in all aspects of the cemetery and funeral industry, to provide excellence in future, whilst considering cultural that works in collaboration with all stakeholders to customer service, in a transparent way and in accordance with the Cemeteries diversity and spiritually engaging with encourage best practice standards within the and Crematoria Act (2013). the communities that use the funeral industry. We manage Rookwood historically rich and iconic as a sustainable resource and heritage Rookwood Cemetery. site, whilst conserving history and O being proactive in environmental Adaptive Management N U awareness and preservation. The ability to cater to over 90 denominations and adapt expertise and O R burial techniques with 15 burial practices. I M IS I V S R S I U O Managing Change N O 6 The ability to demonstrate support for innovation and for organisational 7 changes needed to improve the organisation’s effectiveness; initiating, sponsoring and implementing organisational change; helping others to successfully manage organisational change. Strategic Thinking The ability to analyse the organisation’s competitive position by considering OU S market and industry trends, existing and potential customers (internal and R VALUE external), and strengths and weaknesses as compared to competitors. The team at RGCRT prides itself on three key values: Technical Expertise Respect Reflect Remember The ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in interments that We engage the We honour loved ones We provide honest, acknowledges cultural requirements and customs. RGCRT also design, construct community with by providing a unique, professional and and conserve monuments and memorials providing recognised expert service sensitivity, empathy, diverse and historical equitable services and advice regarding heritage related monuments and stonework. integrity and dignity. place of rest. through burial and memorialisation. A Changing Community The strategy will include using renewable Importantly, the RGCRT has been able The population of Sydney is increasing at tenure as part of its expanded products to achieve this change without affecting a rapid rate, and at the same time that and services. current business delivery. The quality of population is ageing. For the first time, services delivered to people visiting the RGCRT will maintain the traditions cemetery continues to improve and has the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy has of Rookwood, but modernise and acknowledged the importance of providing been delivered by a competent, well-trained commercialise our approach. Our efforts and pleasant staff. There have been only for interment space. In addition, the NSW in the coming months will be to bring the Government has continued its program to minor complaints about services and the community and the regulators with us on Board is satisfied that they have been reform the funeral industry and strengthen this journey. the competitiveness of Crown cemeteries. quickly dealt with. MESSAGE FROM THE The Government commenced A Changing Climate Financing the Future implementation of the Cemeteries and The ongoing changes in climatic conditions The RGCRT has continued to build up its Crematoria Act in the past year, and the pose a risk to Rookwood over and above Perpetuity Reserve, which is designed Cemeteries and Crematoria Board was the