Families help with Bendigo Garden of Angels works

Mum thankful for Angels work

Planting seeds for healing

Remembrance Parks Central Victoria had hoped inviting people to plant a tree in the Garden of Angels would assist with reflection and remembrance for people impacted by the loss of a baby.

Looking at the smiles on the faces of the participants as they left Bendigo Cemetery on Thursday morning, it would seem they succeeded. 

People said they appreciated the opportunity to be involved in the beautification of the area.

Many had a family member buried under a plaque at the heart of the garden. Others came because they felt a connection to the site. 

It was a momentous occasion for Kangaroo Flat couple Ian and Jan Delves. 

The plaque they came bearing, which will be cemented into the garden as soon as works are complete, was recognition of a long-lost sister after 67 years. 

Valerie Elizabeth Delves was born sleeping on April 9, 1949 – about 12 months before Mr Delves entered the world. 

“I always knew I had a sister and she was stillborn,” he said. 

“My mum never knew where she was buried.”

As the years went by, Mr Delves said he started thinking about it more.

“My wife and I decided to do something about it,” he said.

He thanked his wife for doing the “hard yards” in the search for his sister, and said knowing where Valerie was buried and being able to lay a plaque in her honour was a proud moment for his family. 

“She was a no-one – now she is a someone,” Mr Delves said. 

He was appreciative of the beautification works Remembrance Parks Central Victoria is carrying out at the Garden of Angels.

“This is just fantastic, and being able to get involved in it is only better again,” Mr Delves said. 

Attendees passed around plans for a sculpture featuring colourful butterflies, to be placed in the centre of the garden, after speeding through the planting. 

Remembrance Parks Central Victoria business analyst Joanne Trickey said some of the attendees told her the tree planting had given them closure. 

“It was a privilege and an honour to be part of that,” she said.

“They have a huge investment in this and their involvement is what makes it successful.”

Kathie Secombe had not been to the Garden of Angels before, having had a connection with another part of the cemetery. 

“It’s an excellent spot, isn’t it?” she said. She attended to support Sands Bendigo, which provides stillborn and neonatal death support. 

One of the women who re-awakened the group, Carmel Fitzgerald, was also in attendance. 

She had just come out of retirement after being a pastoral associate before she was asked to set up a support group for people who had lost a baby about nine years ago. 

Mrs Fitzgerald encouraged people to in need of help to call the 24-hour Sands National Support Line on 1300 072 637.