Published on Tuesday, 19 December 2023 at 12:02:30 PM

The Shire of Meekatharra and Chronicle Work Together for a Better Community Space

Supporting the Shire of Meekatharra, Chronicle is bringing digital enhancements to the historic Meekatharra Cemetery. This collaboration focuses on introducing modern digital solutions to preserve the cemetery's rich history and make it more accessible and interactive for the community.

Shire of Meekatharra's Commitment to Heritage and Community

Meekatharra, a town in Western Australia's Murchison region, derives its name from the Yamatji word meaning "place of little water." The town is home to the Meekatharra Cemetery, originally established in the early 1900s but closed in May 1907 due to its unsuitability next to mining operations. On June 21, 1907, the town council organized a creation of a new cemetery, which continues to serve the community until today. It is easily accessible from the town on the Murchison Downs Road to the airport. This cemetery covers approximately five acres and is the final resting place for many, with 1330 interments across 1276 plots. This represents the local history that the Shire, in partnership with Chronicle, is actively working on to create a space where the public can engage with and appreciate their local heritage.

Enhancing Public Access and Engagement Chronicle's role in this project is to offer tools that facilitate a more profound emotional and educational bond between the community and their heritage. These resources are available through our online platform, encompassing, but not limited to:

• Easier Access to Historical Records: With the digitization of cemetery records, including a comprehensive headstone survey, the members of the public can now easily trace their lineage and connect with their ancestors' stories.
• Improved Navigation: The introduction of interactive digital GIS mapping and the use of drone aerial surveys make navigating the cemetery grounds more intuitive, ensuring that visitors can find their loved ones' resting places with ease and respect.

Continued Commitment to Community Service

The Shire of Meekatharra CEO highlights the software's user-friendliness and the valuable online knowledge base provided by Chronicle, stating, "The software is fairly easy to use, and Chronicle has an extensive online knowledge base. This software is going to make our lives easier as the general public will be able to search for a loved one and see vacant plots themselves."

In addition to these benefits, the public now has the opportunity to share heartfelt tributes to their loved ones at Meekatharra Cemetery by submitting online memorials through Chronicle's online map. This initiative further strengthens the emotional connection between the community and the cemetery, providing a meaningful way to remember and honour their dear ones.

Chronicle is privileged to contribute its expertise to support the Shire in this endeavour. In addition, the Shire of Meekatharra expresses his gratitude for Chronicle's seamless collaboration, noting that "The team at Chronicle has been very easy to work with and the process was quick and concise. Nothing was too much trouble for the team and they responded promptly to all our questions."

The digitization project between the Shire of Meekatharra and Chronicle shows the Shire’s dedication to preserving Meekatharra's history while embracing the future, ensuring that the town's stories and memories endure for generations to come. Visit the Meekatharra Cemetery’s online map on Chronicle here.

You can also follow the Shire of Meekatharra’s effort in digitizing your cemetery and engaging your community. Schedule a free consultation with us at your convenience.

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