At the closing service of the South Rhine Uniting Church on 25 April 2010, over 30 people expressed interest in forming a Friends of South Rhine Cemetery group. A society for the Friends was duly formed at an inaugural meeting held on 19^th September 2010.  

The purpose of the Friends of South Rhine Cemetery is: -

• To provide management and maintenance of the Cemetery
• To protect and conserve the heritage of the Cemetery
• To foster within the Cemetery a pleasant place for quiet reflection 

We are keen to hear from anyone interested to help in the care and support of the cemetery.  

We are also pleased to help anyone interested in researching family and district history.

Enquiries to  Lester Miller on 08 8331 0199 or Ross Drew on 08 8339 1838

The South Rhine Cemetery sits on a little rise, halfway up Shearer Rd, at the junction of W Millers Rd (Which provides a direct link back down to the Church).  I understand that the land for this was given by the Shearer family right back in the early times, when it seemed appropriate to fence off a corner of their farm for this purpose. Here is a list of those interred here, and here are some more photos

• Friends of the Cemetery

In previous discussion, the Barossa Council have indicated extreme reluctance to assume control of, or responsibility for the site. Marion McEwin [nee Rundle] suggests  the formation of a group, styled “The Friends of the Cemetery”, with representation from the families concerned, which could regulate the plots, and perhaps administer a small fund for maintenance, etc.  This could well be a very satisfactory answer, if it were incorporated into an appropriate legal entity, such as a “society”, and if it assumed  ongoing responsibility.

• UPDATE:

There was strong support (28 people signed up)  for a Friends of the Cemetery association to be formed, and this is now happening under the initial guidance of Marion MacEwin (neé Rundle).  The web-site specifically for this group – as you see - http://south-rhine-cemetery.com The offering taken up at the closing service is being held in trust to seed an endowment fund for The Friends of South Rhine Cemetery. If you want to offer any support to this group note your suggestions in the “Comment” section below this post.

• What Do You Think?

Please use the “Comment” section below on this page to make any suggestions as to a way forward from here……..

9 Responses to “South Rhine Cemetery”

1. John Citizen says:

   February 12, 2010 at 9:27 am

   This question of the land title needs to be tidied up before the Church property is formally placed on the market after the official closure!

   Reply
2. Lynne Aird says:

   February 13, 2010 at 3:34 am

   The Certificate of Title for this property is held by the Uniting Church [legal owner is The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.)]. For further details regarding this, please contact me at the Uniting Church SA office.

   Reply
   • Rhys says:

     February 13, 2010 at 3:24 pm

     Hi Lynne

     The cemetery is 2.4km away from the church at the other end of W Miller Rd. The present curator, J Shearer believes that the title is still held within the land he sold to the Hammances. We expected that the Church title is held by UCSA as you say, but are you able to confirm that the Cemetery title is also held by the church office?

     Reply
     • Lynne Aird says:

       February 15, 2010 at 5:44 pm

       Yes Rhys, the Uniting Church holds a separate title to the church for the cemetery. The official address being Lot 178 Shearers Rd, Eden Valley. The current CT reference is Volume 5811 Folio 732.

3. Rhys says:

   February 15, 2010 at 5:47 pm

   Thank you Lyn – I’ll pass that info on to the curator. Nice to know there actually is no problem.

   Reply
4. Sue Raggatt says:

   April 6, 2010 at 8:33 pm

   Comment from Mrs Mary Miller.

   “The Miller family request that a substantial portion of the proceeds from the sale of the South Rhine Church be invested to provide funds for the upkeep of the South Rhine Cemetery through the years to come. The people who built, loved and looked after the Church are the ones who are now buried in the Cemetery and have certainly earned a right to be considered in their place of rest.”

   Could you please assist us by making sure the appropriate people in the Church receive this.

   Reply
5. Chris Kingsnorth (nee Miller) says:

   April 11, 2010 at 7:48 pm

   I agree with Mary, and it is not only people of the past who have an interest, but there are those who will want to be buried here in the future.
   I would like to see a trust set up, and maybe “Friends of the Cemetery”

   Reply
6. Briony Argent(nee Shearer) says:

   April 18, 2010 at 1:07 pm

   I agree also about setting up a trust or “Friends of the Cemetery”Our family has a very special interest here for past and future generations.

   Reply
7. Wendy Pycroft (nee Vigar) says:

   April 22, 2010 at 10:26 am

   I too agree with Aunty Mary. I knew our family had a close relationship with people in this area and since I have started researching family trees I didn’t realize there is so much history. Millers, Shearers, Vigars. The cemetery definitely needs to be preserved. I know I will be visiting next time I am in the area now I know where the cemetery is.

   Reply