The ashes of Victorian war veterans are to be protected under new legislation introduced into the state parliament.
Currently cemetery trusts have no legal power to extend the tenure of expired ashes without instructions from family members.
In the case of the ashes of many WWI veterans with no descendants to ensure their protection, a number of cemeteries have been removing ‘orphaned’ ashes after the obligatory 25 years.
Lambis Englezos – who campaigned for WWI soldiers buried in mass graves at Fromelles, France, to be re-interred – said he welcomed the move.
“Thankfully the government has moved to protect the sanctity and the remains of war veterans,” Mr Englezos told Neos Kosmos.
“Perpetuity is no longer 25 years. For those who had no family to extend their resting place, perhaps we are their family. Their service has been acknowledged.”
Mr Englezos said that he would continue to campaign to identify WWI veterans buried in unmarked ‘dirt plots’.
Mr Englezos and other researchers claim that the remains of hundreds of Australian servicemen from the Great War still lie unidentified in a number of cemeteries and the grounds of former psychiatric hospitals in Victoria and NSW.
“Now the identification and marking of ‘dirt plots’ can proceed, without begrudging bureaucracy,” added Mr Englezos.
“We need dignity and identity for our war veterans, and to mark them at their point of burial.”
Steve Kyritsis, president of the RSL Hellenic sub-branch, told Neos Kosmos that he also supported the state’s new legislation.
“All those who served our country deserve to be respected,” he said.
“If the family of that veteran is not known to look after the grave or ashes, the authorities should make sure to protect the history and honour of our servicemen and servicewomen for future generations.”
State Minister for Health and Ageing David Davis said that the government had acted after it had “listened to community concerns that cremated remains of war veterans could be discarded or scattered, should trusts not be able to contact their family.”
“Thanks to these changes, cemetery trusts will now have the power to convert these limited tenure rights to permanent tenure, where no-one can be found to take responsibility for their ongoing care.”
The new legislation comes following recommendations from the state’s Ministerial Advisory Committee for Cemeteries and Crematoria, which provides independent advice on strategic planning in the sector.
Mr Davis confirmed that the changes would also give cemetery trusts the ability to move remains to a place of remembrance.
“Our new laws will ensure that the ashes of war veterans will be protected for eternity, ensuring future generations can honour the sacrifices of deceased war veterans.”
The minister said it was particularly fitting “to pay this tribute to our veterans, past and present, at a time when our nation pauses to consider the momentous and terrible events of the First World War”.