I went to visit my late father for Father’s Day at Keilor Cemetery and I was absolutely appalled not to mention heartbroken at the flooded and muddy conditions of the footpaths. My mother and I walked through many aisles and had to detour throughout the cemetery in order to get to dad’s gravesite and my brother’s, who are side by side. I have complained numerous times but my attempts to try and upgrade the cemetery and it’s run down paths seems to fall on deaf ears. 
The day of my father’s funeral back in May this year, we had torrential rain during the burial. We were all covered in mud, shoes sinking into the clay soil and constantly had to watch our step to avoid large puddles and mud. The day after I went to visit my fathers grave site to ensure they had covered it properly and what I saw appalling. The grave was only half filled with soil and the rest was water. There were gapping holes from either side and you could see through to the next grave. Rather than fill it completely they put a steel frame over the top to make it safe. Rain or no rain it should have been covered completely. All I could think of was my poor father was laying in a pool of water. 
We have been visitors to this cemetery since my brother passed away 28 years ago and the gravel and mud paths have not been upgraded since then and have only eroded further. These paths should be properly concreted to allow easy and safe access at all times, not to mention better accessibility for those with wheelchairs and walking aids, as everyone should be able to visit their loved ones in a safe, clean and hazard-free environment. Also within the 28 years since my brother’s passing, I have noticed the cost of grave sights increase exponentially, yet the only upgrades I have seen have been through the removal of some trees and minor beautification of the front area. Just because our loves ones are deceased, it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to rest in a well maintained cemetery. We need safer access and better attention paid to the burial of our loved ones. 
Through signing this petition, we will be demanding that Keilor Cemetery act on this issue through upgrading all footpaths to concrete, provide better drainage throughout the area and an upgrade of the car park which is full of pot holes and a risk of getting bogged. Together we can work towards creating a safe, clean and peaceful resting place for us to visit our loved ones.