Failford

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NEGLECTING OUR PAST

I have been reminded once again of how much Australians neglect our past. I have thought this for a long time and my visit to the Nabiac/Failford Cemetery reconfirmed my thoughts on the matter.

In the case of cemeteries the state of a cemetery quickly betrays this state of mind. Generally the lawns are very poorly maintained and most of the older (and a good number of the younger) graves are very poorly maintained. If there are gardens and/or lawn plantings – these also will be neglected.

When it comes to trying to read a headstone, generally speaking, the older the headstone the more difficult it is to read. Most of the older headstones are in varying degrees of decay (so to speak).

This neglect is not limited to cemeteries. In my travels around the country I have seen many examples of our heritage being allowed to fall into further ruin through neglect.

I really do think that the majority of Australians do not appreciate our heritage and history. Perhaps we are still too young as a country.

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NABIAC/FAILFORD CEMETERY VISIT

I have been to the Nabiac/Failford Cemetery now, but failed to photograph all of the headstones in the cemetery. I will need to return in the next couple of days to complete the project. I will probably also visit the Bulahdelah Cemetery and photograph the headstones there.

I probably still have about one fifth to one quarter of the cemetery to photograph. I have come across a number of headstones that I recognize from my family history research, which is the main reason for taking the photographs.

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OFF TO NABIAC CEMETERY

Sometime this week I’ll be heading to the cemetery near Nabiac, just south of Taree on the Pacific Highway. I believe the cemetery is located at Failford to the north of Nabiac.

What is the point of this particular trip to Nabiac? It will be same goal as that for the weekend (just passed) trip to the Coolongolook Cemetery – that is, to photograph the headstones in the cemetery for my family history research.

Following the trip to Nabiac I’ll probably pop up to Tinonee and visit my brother and his family.