As many of my followers will know I was conducting tours for over a year at a local pioneer cemetery at Minmi in 2011 - 12 with a great little following, until it was ceased a few months ago after I received complaints by some people who voiced their concerns at such an activity.
These people suggested terrible things that I was allegedly allowing my clients to do while on site such as playing on top of the graves, rubbishing and drinking alcohol on the site and generally disrespecting the memory of those buried there.
If you had been on one of my tours there you would know how false these accusations are.
I chose to shut down this activity down, due to some bad publicity egged on by one local journo and because I never meant to cause anyone grief, despite most of the local people being in favor of me continuing.
I had not been back to this site since then.
Today I was out visiting some local cemeteries and decided it was time I paid my respects to those souls I felt I had abandoned.
When I arrived at Minmi this afternoon I found a huge pile of rubbish that someone had just dumped in the car park to greet me.
An old tv set, food, garbage.
There was some tape put around the pile saying that it was illegally dumped and being investigated.
This rubbish was strewn everywhere.
The site itself was overgrown with weeds taller than I had ever seen them and one headstone had come out of the ground and had cracked into pieces. This headstone was dated 1871.
It broke my heart.I hoped it hadnt been pulled out by vandals.
When we were on site we did keep an eye on the place.
I was then given the opportunity to work at another local cemetery, although it took over six months of negotiations.with, again the approval of the local volunteer committee but now the local Council overseeing that site has placed a fee on my tours which I must pay them and this is making the whole situation too costly.
I had also made a commitment to give a donation to the volunteers from each tour at the cemetery to help them pay for the work that they do in the upkeep of this site - but now with the fees having been increased it looks like I will have to rethink this whole thing.
As much as I think there is value in bringing to light the important history of these two sites and bring people in to learn about them in a guided, respectful ( contrary to what some may say ) and safe way it looks like I am just being met with obstacles.
Such a shame.
These people suggested terrible things that I was allegedly allowing my clients to do while on site such as playing on top of the graves, rubbishing and drinking alcohol on the site and generally disrespecting the memory of those buried there.
If you had been on one of my tours there you would know how false these accusations are.
I chose to shut down this activity down, due to some bad publicity egged on by one local journo and because I never meant to cause anyone grief, despite most of the local people being in favor of me continuing.
I had not been back to this site since then.
Today I was out visiting some local cemeteries and decided it was time I paid my respects to those souls I felt I had abandoned.
When I arrived at Minmi this afternoon I found a huge pile of rubbish that someone had just dumped in the car park to greet me.
An old tv set, food, garbage.
There was some tape put around the pile saying that it was illegally dumped and being investigated.
This rubbish was strewn everywhere.
The site itself was overgrown with weeds taller than I had ever seen them and one headstone had come out of the ground and had cracked into pieces. This headstone was dated 1871.
It broke my heart.I hoped it hadnt been pulled out by vandals.
When we were on site we did keep an eye on the place.
I was then given the opportunity to work at another local cemetery, although it took over six months of negotiations.with, again the approval of the local volunteer committee but now the local Council overseeing that site has placed a fee on my tours which I must pay them and this is making the whole situation too costly.
I had also made a commitment to give a donation to the volunteers from each tour at the cemetery to help them pay for the work that they do in the upkeep of this site - but now with the fees having been increased it looks like I will have to rethink this whole thing.
As much as I think there is value in bringing to light the important history of these two sites and bring people in to learn about them in a guided, respectful ( contrary to what some may say ) and safe way it looks like I am just being met with obstacles.
Such a shame.
Cemeteries, graveyards, and burial grounds are wonderfully historic locations. I'm sure that on one of your tours, the chances of me learning some history is much higher than seeing a ghost.
ReplyDeleteThough these areas are not as haunted as lore would lead one to believe, you can learn about genealogy, art, art, literature, horticulture, and many other things on their revered grounds.
As you noted, these locations can be problematic when it comes to associating them with paranormal activity.
But seriously, if there are people hanging out in the graveyard causing problems, that's the towns problem and certainly not yours.
We cannot rule out the remote possibility that you have an powerful negative influence on the entire area. Perhaps you attract things like old television sets, food, and garbage.
Looking back on it deciding to use ATVs and offering $3.00 pitchers of margaritas wasn't such a good idea, but we live and learn.
But seriously. What a shame! Your tours generate the most appropriate type of attention to these types of places and contribute a way more powerful positive effect than anything negative.
I can tell from your immensely interesting blog.
So true Renata good post! Minmi has always had a reputation of ghostly goings on. Way before any tours were out there. Solid professional businesses keep an eye and presence on a place which helps keep the vandals away.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys for your positive responses. None of us would ever dream of being disrespectful on sites such as these.
ReplyDelete