Repairs begin for headstones vandalised in Toowoomba Cemetery
Headstones vandalised in the Toowoomba cemetery last year have been removed for repairs. (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Sanders)
In short:
Work has begun to repair almost 150 headstones that were vandalised in the Toowoomba Cemetery last year.
The repairs will be carried out by TAFE Queensland's stonemason students.
What's next?
A community group is fundraising money to help cover the $300,000 cost.
Repairs have begun on nearly 150 headstones that were vandalised in Toowoomba nine months ago.
Heavy stone monuments have been craned out in pieces from the Toowoomba Cemetery, while smashed marble plaques have been delicately plucked up and stored in boxes ready for repair.
They are the first steps in a long recovery process involving tradespeople in Toowoomba and Brisbane, which could cost families about $300,000.
Two boys have been dealt with under the Youth Justice Act over the matter from August last year.
About $300,000 of damage was done to headstones throughout the cemetery. (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Sanders)
Community group Headstone Healing Project has been driving the collaborative restoration process.
"When something like this comes along, you realise that all of the less-than-wonderful things that happen in the community can be quickly overcome by an act of kindness," spokesperson Greg Johnson said.
"This issue belongs to all Toowoomba people and it's our responsibility to make sure this cemetery is back to where it was."
Greg Johnson says the repairs will be carried out in stages as money comes in. (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Sanders)
In a cost of living crisis, the group had helped to offset the costs for people who could not afford to repair their loved one's memorials.
Mr Johnson said about $12,000 had been raised so far.
Empathetic support
Stonemason Michael Wagner was one of the first people to discover the damaged graves when he came to visit his father's memorial.
Operating a business across the road from the cemetery, he offered to volunteer his time to remove many of the damaged headstones.
Michael Wagner is volunteering his time to help remove some of the memorials. (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Sanders)
"We like everybody else have relatives and friends in the cemetery that we don't expect to be vandalised," he said.
"For days after we had calls from clients trying to find out whether there was any damage to their memorials.
"It shows how many people care and how many people were concerned for their monuments."
Mr Wagner said there was no rhyme or reason for the vandalism.
"It was just a few young people … they made some senseless mistakes," he said.
"For people who are thinking about doing something silly, don't do it in a cemetery."
Building back better
The damaged memorials will be sent to TAFE Queensland's stonemason students for repair.
TAFE Queensland's Stephen Gates said the college was honoured to be involved in the project.
"Any chance we get to combine hands-on training with helping Queensland communities is one we will gladly take," Mr Gates said.
The damaged memorials will be taken to TAFE Brisbane for repairs. (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Sanders)
He said it would give the apprentice stonemasons valuable experience and restore "the dignity of the owners of these tombstones".
Mr Wagner hoped many of the original stone structures could be repaired and preserved.
"In some cases, if inscription tablets or headstones are beyond repair, we'll look at replacing the tablet or doing a marker stone," he said.
Many of the sites will also be reinforced to make sure they are more resistant to damage.
"Back in the 1800s, in an area like Toowoomba, there wasn't the belief that people would knock over headstones," he said.
It is hoped the memorials can all be repaired and reinforced. (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Sanders)
"Now we have Australian standards set up for the upkeep, installation, and the construction of monuments.
"It's never going to prevent [them] being knocked over, but it helps in a safety situation."