Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Heather and Michael manage the gardens of the places Canberrans go to honour and remember the lives of their loved ones.
If you’ve experienced loss, it’s likely there are strangers who made an impact on this period of your life.
Kind emergency services staff, compassionate healthcare workers and caring funeral directors can make a big difference.
But something you might not have considered are the people who take care of the spaces where loved ones rest. The workers who carefully and respectfully plan and maintain the places that Canberrans go to grieve and remember.
Michael and Heather are horticulturalists who maintain Canberra Memorial Parks, including Gungahlin Cemetery and Crematorium and Woden Cemetery.
“We’re creating an environment that is part of a sacred place that people go,” Heather said.
“Potentially for some people it’s one of their worst days or times, so there’s an opportunity for us to in some tiny way try and make that better.”
From a horticultural point of view, working on the Memorial Parks is multifaceted.
“We manage a lot of plantings. We’ve got a lot of high-care gardens, which have a lot of input,” Heather said.
This can include:
- pest and disease management
- formative pruning
- weed management
- planning.
“We take things into account like being culturally aware,” Michael said.
“There’s lots of different plants and there are plants that aren’t native to Australia. But they’re still beautiful and very significant to many people. When someone sees those plants that may make them think of home and that may make them feel a bit more comfortable.”
Creating and maintaining a space that provides comfort is key for both Michael and Heather. As Canberra locals, they are keenly aware of the impact that the Memorial Parks have on their community.
“You drive through the gate and you just have that inbuilt job satisfaction,” Heather said.
“You know that you’re part of something that is important to the local community and their family members, as well as local residents that spend time here and cherish the area.”
“I don’t just come to work for the money,” Michael said.
“I come to work because I love what I do. I love the people I work with. I love maintaining and creating an environment that helps families and loved ones when they want to come to the cemetery. They feel comfortable. They see it’s well maintained.”
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