Plan of work schedule

PICTURED: this photograph from 1975 shows how free of infestation by Tree of Heaven the plot was.

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NOTE: DUE TO ILLNESS OF KEY MEMBERS OF THE TEAM, this plan of work schedule is being adjusted.

Stage 1: November 2002 – June 2003

• Containment of site – fencing the area securely against stock entry. (Done)
• Recording the site – mapping location of headstones as found; searching for other grave sites (Done)
• Removing vegetation – clearing the site of infestation (Underway)
• Getting headstones up – separating the headstones from salination effect of the soil (Done)

Stage 2: November 2002 – December 2003

• Conducting publicity campaign to alert descendants and general public about the project to attract offers of assistance and information (Underway)
• Researching lives of Michael Lahy and other occupants for information display and booklet (Underway)
• Building mailing list and launching a project bulletin to generate interest among stakeholders, including descendants (On-going)

Stage 3: January 2003 – December 2007

• Cleaning headstones (Underway)
• Reassembling headstones (Underway)
• Resetting headstones (Underway)

Stage 4: July 2007 – December 2007

• Acquiring large stone obelisk for displaying inscriptions (Underway)
• Erecting display stone
• Apply for grant for post and rail fence


Stage 5: 20th December, 2008

• Stage event to celebrate restoration and contribution of pioneers like Lahy
• Date of event could be the anniversary of uprising in Tipperary which led to Michael Lahy’s transportation or the anniversary of his arrival of Lahy in Australia in 1816.

Working group

To date the following people have given support to the project:

1. Headstone restoration and site presentation: consultant stone mason Laurie Thomson. Experience includes Parliament House, Canberra.

2. Heritage conservation advice: Cathy Colville, heritage advisor, Wellington Council; Christo Aitken, conservation architect and heritage consultant, Mudgee Shire Council.

3. Project management: Michael Kiely (former lecturer in Local History at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst; proprietor, “Uamby”); Louisa Kiely (proprietor, “Uamby”).

4. Local government advice and support: James Thompson, Mudgee Shire Councillor and Goolma landowner.

5. Local history and genealogy: Ruth Davis, Gulgong; Diane Campbell, Gulgong Pioneer’s Museum and Gulgong Historical Society; Sue Jones, Wellington Historical Society.

6. Family histories: Margo Anderson, Judy Devonish, Buck Davies, Richard Budden, Glenise Gardiner, Olivia Kemp, Kevin Benson.

7. History of “Uamby”: Mary Bird, David Bird

This project is a community initiative and contributions of information, artefacts and photographs, funds, time and effort are welcome.

For further information

Enquiries can be directed to:

Michael Kiely, Project Manager, Michael Lahy Cemetery Restoration Group, “Uamby”, RMB 384, Uamby Rd, Goolma NSW 2852 Tel. 6374 0354 Mob. 0417 280 540
Email: michael.kiely@boom.com.au

In Sydney: 18 Woodcrest Place, Cherrybrook NSW 2126 Tel. (02) 9484 6761