Published on Thursday, 12 March 2026 at 8:34:13 AM
The Nannup Friends of the Cemetery is a dedicated community group transforming the Nannup Cemetery into a place of beauty, remembrance and pride. Through quiet commitment and growing community support, the group has expanded its impact well beyond routine maintenance.
Increased funding has enabled the Friends to undertake larger and more meaningful projects. Financial support has come from the Teddy Bear Chair at Tiger Valley Gallery, the Nannup Lions Club, the Community Op Shop, the Nannup Tip Shop, Gentle Gym, relatives of those interred, and ongoing Shire funding. This collective generosity has underpinned some of the group’s most significant achievements.
One recent project, made possible by a generous donation from Michelle Ingarfield, was the identification and marking of 150 previously unmarked graves of children up to nine years old, including stillborn babies. For years, families searching for loved ones struggled to locate resting places after original picket fences deteriorated. Through careful research of Shire records, public archives and the Historical Society, the Friends worked to identify those buried. They chose to mark stillborn baby plaques with a butterfly symbol and personally wrote the wording for each plaque. Group members set every plaque into cement at home before installing them by hand at the cemetery, ensuring each child’s resting place is now respectfully acknowledged.
Additionally, plaques in the rose garden and niche wall have been beautified with stones, ornaments and flowers, while older ornaments throughout the cemetery have been lovingly cleaned. A table in the gazebo, along with two seats handcrafted by the Nannup Men’s Shed, offer spaces for quiet contemplation and rest. A donated angel now stands at the gate, welcoming visitors and watching over the grounds.
For ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans’ Day, the group ensured all service men and women resting in the cemetery were honoured with Australian flags. The jars holding the flags were decorated in silver, with red and white ribbons added to symbolise remembrance and courage.
Beyond major projects, the Friends continue regular maintenance and beautification. They carefully select gravel for individual graves, weed and tidy plots, straighten flowers and ensure the grounds look especially lovely when a funeral is scheduled, allowing families to focus on remembering their loved ones.
Looking ahead, the group hopes to place plaques on all remaining unmarked graves and create a peaceful remembrance area in the bush behind the cemetery. They also hope to commission a mural to better integrate the niche wall into the landscape.
Their passion and compassion were recognised in 2025 when they received Community Group of the Year. The plaque now displayed in the gazebo reflects what community spirit can achieve. The group frequently hears from families, including those unable to visit, expressing gratitude for the care shown to their loved ones. When asked about the work they do, the group say they love making the cemetery a welcoming space for visitors, caring for those within its grounds and giving back.
The Friends credit Heath Pickett, Shire Head Gardener, for his ongoing work and dedication, Kim Dolzadelli for supporting cemetery initiatives and Lorraine Learmond for her leadership of the group.
Meeting fortnightly on Tuesdays, weather permitting, the Friends welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities. Whether gardening, researching, cleaning or lending a hand, it is peaceful work where, as members say, you ‘get in the zone’ and time disappears. Together, they continue ensuring every story is honoured and every resting place cared for.
If you would like to be involved, please contact Lorraine Learmond at the Shire of Nannup for further information.
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