A Volunteer-Managed Cemetery

Because the cemetery is managed by volunteers, costs are kept to a minimum.  The Management Committee is an Incorporated body comprised of local people with an interest in serving the local community and preserving history. The Curator is the first point of contact for people interested in laying a loved one to rest in the cemetery, or for reserving a plot.

History of the Old Noarlunga UCA Cemetery

Old Noarlunga

In the early years of settlement in South Australia, the Noarlunga area was cleared for wheat farming.  A flour mill was built in the original town in 1843 along with wharves used for barges to transport produce down the Onkaparinga River  to Port Noarlunga.  In 1846 the Hundred of Noarlunga land division was proclaimed, extending along the coast from the Sturt River to Onkaparinga and named using the indigenous term, nurlo, meaning curve, for the horse-shoe bend of the Onkaparinga River.

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In 1850 the South Australian Company laid out the ‘No-orlunga Township’ at the ‘Horseshoe’ of the Onkaparinga River.   1856 saw the formation of the District Council of Noarlunga which included residents on either side of the Onkaparinga.  By the 1860’s the town boasted a post office, a council chamber, two churches, a public pound, two hotels, a mill, a brewery and brickworks.  During these early years and up to 1956 local citizens were buried at the cemeteries co-located with St Phillips Church and St James’ Anglican Church opened on the hill.

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Establishing the Old Noarlunga UCA Cemetery

As the township grew and time passed, it was clear that these cemeteries were not large enough to meet future needs and in 1943 a two-acre block on Straight Beach Rd, now known as Seaford Road, was purchased from the estate of Mr R Malpas.  It was paid for with church funds and by generous donations form local residents.  It took several years to raise the full amount of the money required.

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One of the main instigators to purchase the site for the new cemetery was Mr Ern King, a parishioner and local farmer who became the first Curator.  The first burial, that of Graeme Harding, five years old, took place in September 1956. After the death of Mr King in 1953, Mr Ben Bailey took over as Curator until 1988 when Mr Neil Marshall acted as interim Curator until Mr Geoff Duffield was appointed in 1998.

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Voluntary Management Committee

The Management Committee of seven local residents was formed in 1994 with the approval of the Uniting Church Synod.  The Committee undertook to care for, and to plan an upgrade of the cemetery and surrounds to cater for all types of burials for people of any denomination.  The original Management Committee consisted of:

• Mr Geoff Duffield – Chairman, Curator and Treasurer
• Mr John Jordan – Assistant Curator
• Mr Clem Hurst. Mr Alan (Darrell) Furler, Mr David Rehn, Mr Doug Rehn and Mr Paul Wildman

Geoff resigned as Chairman in 1997 and Clem Hurst was elected and an operating Constitution was drawn up.  Mr Bryson Fredericks joined the Committee in 1997.  Mr John Jordan took on the position of Secretary/ Curator in 2002 from Geoff Duffield.  John remained in the position until 2017 when Ms Sharon Callaghan took up the position.

Clem remained Chairman until July 2010 and was succeeded by Bryson Fredericks.

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Other long-serving Committee Members

• Mr Richard Baxter joined the Committee in 2000
• Mr Mark Constable joined in 2000 and resigned in 2018
• Ms Dulcie Denson joined in 2000 and served until 2014
• Ms Mary Haggett served for several years from 2003
• Mr Russell Cole served for several years from 2004

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The cemetery continues to be managed by the voluntary committee under the leadership of Mr Bryson Fredericks.  The current committee consists of:

• Mr Bryson Fredericks – Chairperson
• Ms Sharon Callaghan – Curator
• Ms Pam Castle – Secretary since 2017 
• Mr Richard Baxter
• Mr Gary Callaghan
• Ms Marion Millin – joined 2022
• Ms Cheryl Bencetti – joined 2020, and
• Mr Robert Pitt – joined 2021

1972 saw the Main South Road bypass the original town and in 1978, by council resolution it became known as Old Noarlunga.  Hence, the Cemetery is fondly referred to as the Old Noarlunga Cemetery although it is now located in the area known as Seaford.

Cemetery Improvements

In 1997 a masterplan for the ongoing development of the cemetery was drawn up b y the committee under the leadership of Mr Clem Hurst.  Since then improvements have included pathways and the rotunda which was erected in 1994.  Roses and diosmas have been planted in newer sections.  Rosemary was planted in 2021.  Iron fencing was erected along the internal boundaries in 1999.  The distinctive oleander bushes that hedge Seaford Road date back to the 1990’s.

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Among the many notable local citizens laid to rest in the cemetery are Clem Hurst, the Furler, Robinson and Dungee families – all of whom have made significant contributions to the local community.