By Eloise Fuss
Volunteer conservationists are striving to uncover the history behind a collection of unmarked graves near the outback settlement of Innamincka.
Located on a windswept, gibber-rock coated hillside in the state’s dry north east, most of the cemetery’s graves were just outlined with rocks, and only a few were identified with fading headstones. Read more “SA’s outback history told through unmarked graves at Innamincka”
We have enjoyed many delicious meals at the Innamincka Hotel. Our 2012 working bee supported them through cleaning up all of the weeds in the allotment beside the Hotel. Management at the Hotel showed their appreciation by providing a boat-ride for the group, down the Coopers on dusk. A memorable evening!
The Friends Group also perceive their role as one of supporting the local community in any way possible. In 2011 we assisted the Innamincka Sporting Club Inc., to clean up the local race course in preparation for the annual race meeting. The floods of 2010 had left debris and silt in every building and adjoining surrounds. Our efforts were greatly appreciated by the organisers of this event. We again decided to assist in the preparation of the race course in 2012 and timed our working bee to end the day before the race meeting.
This historic site, just on the out-skirts of Innamincka, has been sadly neglected over time. The Friends of Innamincka have spent a good deal of time in researching the actual burials at this site. This has proven to be a very difficult task as no records seem to be available. We would be very appreciative of any further information on the cemetery.
In 2011 the Friends Group demolished the remains of the old fence around the cemetery and put a new one. In 2012 we spent many hours weeding and redefining the outlines around the graves.