1WINTER 2012

Winter 2012

funeral home • cemetery • crematorium

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

As we are greeted with brisk wintery days, I welcome you to this latest edition of our newsletter.

I invite readers to visit us and enjoy the picturesque and tranquil setting of our gardens and relax with a cup of tea or coffee in our café and enjoy a warm nourishing meal while you are here.

Despite the colder weather, we have been busy preparing for spring. In Centenary Park, we have created new gardens and memorials, bordering the ponds and gently cascading waterfalls.

I am very pleased to announce that we have received approval from Randwick Council for the construction of our Greek Orthodox Chapel. More on this later…

Our Asian Gardens development is progressing very well as our management team and architects work through the detailed planning, design drawings and costings that are integral to the success of this significant project. We have been consulting extensively with the community leaders to explain the various sections and features that will be unique to this beautiful area and to gain the benefit of their advice.

In relation to our quest for additional burial space, in response to the overwhelming wishes of the broader local communities, I am, sadly, unable to report any significant progress on this. Despite the clear wishes of many thousands of people in the Randwick City Council area, the looming critical shortage of burial space in the eastern suburbs remains unresolved. It is hoped that over the course of the next few months the matter can be resolved so that some certainty can come to the communities most concerned about this very important issue.

Vale Rodney William Arthur (Rod) Neville (16/02/1948 to 06/04/2012)

Vale John Francis (Jack) Walker JP (15/10/1933 to 20/05/2012)

It is with sadness that I inform of the recent passing of ESMP Trustees Rod Neville and Jack Walker.

Jack Walker suddenly passed away on 20th May, 2012. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees in July 1999. He was a member of the Board’s Planning and Works Committee.

Jack saw many fundamental changes at ESMP early in his tenure not least of which was the completion of the current modern ESMP Administration Building, replacing the old, smaller building, and the development of the new burial areas on the northern side of Military Road off land acquired from part of the previously decommissioned Bunnerong Power Station.

Rod Neville passed away on 6th April, 2012 following a long illness. Rod was appointed to the Trusts in July 2007 and became a member of the Finance and Audit Committee. In July 2010 he was appointed Chair of that Committee.

Both Jack and Rod shared with the Board in a number of new initiatives, two of which were major ventures. Firstly, the building and establishment of the Park’s on-site Funeral Home, the first for a Crown Cemetery and, secondly, a purpose-built Condolence Centre, including a café and florist.

The Trustees and I have been grateful for both Jack’s and Rod’s services to the continued development and improvement of the Park, a tradition which we intend to carry on for the benefit of our communities. Both Rod and Jack would, I’m sure, have no difficulty with that philosophy!

George H. Passas FAICD FCIS FCPAChief Executive Officer

PARK NEWS

PARK NEWS2

3WINTER 2012

ASIAN GARDENS

ESMP is currently developing a beautiful and important Asian

memorial garden to become Sydney’s newest and most significant

cremation and burial interment area for peoples of Asian ancestry,

religions and cultures.

We extend our sincere thanks to the leaders of Asian communities

throughout Sydney who are providing valuable advice in ensuring

that these new Asian Memorial Gardens are sensitive to the needs of

their respective traditions and communities.

Our aim is to provide high quality and tradition-appropriate,

interment and bereavement care for families of different traditions

and faiths, including Buddhist, Taoist, Christian and non-

denominational.

It will contain many secluded gardens and Asian families of the same

and different faiths can be memorialised and buried together within

close proximity in accordance with appropriate religious traditions

and Feng Shui principles.

Issues of Filial Piety of having respect for parents and ancestors in a

good society are being embraced, to ensure that the correct rituals

are observed at the time of death to assist both the spirit and the

surviving family.

The gardens will feature sculptures, deities and pathways set within

historical sandstone walls and ponds, similar to those found in

traditional Chinese gardens throughout Asia.

A long, prominent and winding Dragon Path leads visitors through

picturesque hill-side terraces to a traditional Buddhist and Taoist

shrine with Buddha reincarnations, Eternity Lights on either side and

Ancestral Tablets. Families will be welcome to use the shrine during

funeral services, when they visit the Park and for other occasions as

required.

Adjacent to the shrine and overlooking the gardens will be a

Ceremonial Burner and two spacious gathering areas where families

can celebrate grave-side services and participate in important

religious festivals such as Ulambana (Hungry Ghost) and Qing Ming

(Cheng Beng). A Ceremonial Luck Bell is located on the Dragon path,

close to the Shrine, which visitors can use as they enter the Gardens.

The gardens are being designed in consultation with representatives

of the Asian communities. The development application has been

lodged with Randwick Council and approval is expected in August,

2012. We look forward to updating you further on this exciting, new

and important community project.

Moon Garden Niche Walls

Dragon Garden Shrine

Columbarium

3D Model viewing at ESMP

PARK NEWS4

FUNERAL HOME NEWSThe funeral home has continued to serve families with professional and caring service. To this end, we have sought to expand

our ability the support the cultural, religious and linguistic diversity of our community by employing funeral consultants with

multilingual skills.

Funeral Home Web site - www.esfs.net.au

We have launched our new Eastern Suburbs Funeral Services web site which contains many helpful

and innovative features, welcoming families and visitors to our Funeral Home, providing useful

information and convenient on-line access to our professional services.

The focus of the web site is people and it acknowledges the

diverse circumstances that families and communities

of all backgrounds, cultures and religions need to

embrace when the death of their loved one occurs.

5WINTER 2012

The site contains many features to help people learn about and manage what can be a very difficult and sad time in their lives. These are:

1. Explaining what needs to be done when a death of a loved one occurs; how to arrange a

funeral with our professional assistance; and what happens after the service.

2. Describing how to arrange a pre-paid funeral and the benefits

3. Introducing our on-site funeral home, our beautiful chapel, arrangement and viewing rooms,

on-site mortuary and convenient parking.

4. Providing an extensive checklist which includes the following topics:

• The immediate steps when someone has died

• What will be discussed and arranged by us, the funeral director

• What needs to be done to care for their loved-one’s affairs

• Organising the solicitor, accountant and grief counselling services if needed

• Arranging a burial, cremation and memorial for their loved one

5. Including an extensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section with answers to the many

questions that we receive in relation to what is involved with funeral arrangements, burials,

cremations and memorialisation’s

6. Linking the site to professional services such as the Police, Ambulance, Lifeline Australia,

Beyond Blue, Sids and Kids NSW, the Coroners Court, Aboriginal Land Council, NSW

Trustee and Guardian and the ESMP Park web site.

7. Listing all of the current services that are being arranged for our Funeral Home client

families. This provides the details of when and where the services will be held and families

are able to include additional information that they would like to share with their friends,

family and visitors to the site.

8. Our new “On-Line Memorials” page is a new and important service which will enable

families to post an enduring memorial of their loved one.

9. Families will have the convenience of searching our site on their smart phones using a

dedicated QR Code.

We invite you to visit our new website and explore these many features. Please call us on (02) 9694 9494 if you would like more information or assistance.

Eastern Suburbs Funeral Services welcomes Vasily Makeev BTh

We welcome Vasily Makeev who has joined our

team of experienced Funeral Consultants.

Vasily is fluent in Russian, he can support families

with his extensive knowledge of religions, cultures

and communities. He attended St Andrews Greek

Orthodox Theological College and graduated in

2009 with a Bachelor of Theology.

His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias, Assistant Bishop to His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia, and Sub-Dean of St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College with our new Funeral Consultant, Vasily Makeev.

PARK NEWS6

DELEGATION FROM SUzHOU

In April, ESMP Chairman, Mr John Morrison, OAM was invited by

Mr James Ding, President of the Federation of Australian Suzhou

Association to attend a special function to mark the establishment

of the Federation of the Australian Suzhou Association. At this

significant event, Mr Morrison had the opportunity to meet the

Delegation from Suzhou.

Suzhou, known as the “Venice of China” because of its many canals,

has a population of 13 million. Its GDP is the fourth largest in China.

Suzhou is west of Shanghai and famous for its gardens and is also

known as the beautiful garden city.

ESMP Chairman, Mr John Morrison, OAM and Professor James Ding, President of FASA attend the Celebration of the establishment ofThe Federation of Australian Suzhou Association (FASA).

Mr. Victor Z. Ding, Senior Adviser of FASA.

Greek Orthodox Chapel

Construction has commenced of the Greek Orthodox Chapel which will provide a

central focal point and a place where memorial services can be held for families of

Greek Orthodox faith who live within our community. It represents the strong ties that

ESMP has with the Greek Orthodox community.

With the migration in the 1950’s of young Greeks to Sydney, a large portion of them

settled in the eastern suburbs. As a result of this, ESMP represents the last resting

place for a large number of these people and their family members.

The design of the chapel reflects the form of a contemporary interpretation of a

domed structure over a circular enclosure of the altar. The external paving will

represent the main body of the church with the congregation placed three steps

below the alter level.

With the chapel doors open, the clergy can perform a service for the attending

worshippers. A permanent ‘Candilli’ box will be placed outside the altar for the

benefit of the faithful.

The Trust has also commissioned the erection of a rotunda of contemplation structure

which will serve as a place where the faithful can sit, rest and contemplate. This will

be conveniently located within close proximity to the neighbouring car park area.

7WINTER 2012

The Customer Service team is committed to providing professional guidance and service to families, Funeral Directors and

visitors to our Park. Our new consulting rooms, brochures and PowerPoint presentations enables us to welcome, advise and

support families as they discuss and decide the most appropriate memorial for their loved ones.

2012 Mother’s Day ServiceSydney was treated to a magnificently warm and sunny day on Mother’s

Day this year and many people took the opportunity to visit our

beautiful Park, to pay their respects and enjoy its peaceful surrounds.

ESMP hosted our annual Mother’s Day service in the South

Chapel, to provide comfort and support to the many families in

attendance.

While Mother’s Day for most of us is a happy and joyful

occasion, it can be a difficult time for families who have

recently (or not so recently) lost this very important person in

their lives.

We warmly extend an open invitation to anyone in the community

who would like to come to our annual Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or

Christmas services. Please call us on 9661-5655 if you would like

us to mail you an invitation. We find that these services offer great

benefit and everyone is welcome.

Forthcoming Father’s Day ServiceOur Father’s Day service will be held at 10am on Sunday 2nd September, in the South Chapel.

CUSTOMER SERVICE NEWS

Eastern Suburbs Crematorium welcomes Concierge

We are very pleased to introduce Greg Agius who joined

the Customer Service Team on the 31st May as our Chapel

Concierge. His important role is to assist Funeral Directors and

families with all audio visual requirements in our chapels and

ensure that the services run as smoothly as possible.

Greg’s professional background and Concierge experience

makes him ideal for the role. He has a very friendly disposition

with excellent communication skills, and takes pride providing

a professional and seamless service to our clients.

PARK NEWS8

Our Centenary Park gardens will feature a new sandstone bridge which is currently being constructed to cross the lower level of ponds.

The inviting and serene ambience of this tranquil garden area will be further enhanced with the planting of additional plants, shrubs and trees.

The walls of the ponds in this area have been secured and raised to create new memorial areas. This will include 20 family gardens, additional pedestal gardens and the bridge will have memorial plaques installed.

Enquiries can be made at the Administration Office or by calling 9661 5655.

PARk AND GARDENS NEWS

funeral home • cemetery • crematorium

61 www.esfs.net.au9694 9494

funeral home • cemetery • crematorium

61 www.esfs.net.au9694 9494

11WINTER 2012

ASSISTANCE TO ARRANGERSESMP’s customer service team welcomes Funeral Directors to ask for assistance with the following:

• Booking the on-line Web Casting service.• Organising Audio/Visual equipment• ESMP staff (if required)• Testing of PowerPoint presentations prior to the day of the

service. • Arrangement of DVD keepsakes.• Viewings and witnessing.

CONTACT INFORMATION• Appointments for families wanting to choose the grave site of

their loved one can be made by calling ESMP on 9661 5655.• Condolence room, florist and café enquiries and bookings can

be arranged by phoning Eastern Suburbs Memorial Centre• on 9661 8865.• Clergy and celebrants are welcome to call 9661 5655 to

make appointments to familiarise themselves with our chapel facilities.

• If you require a funeral director contact our Funeral Home Consultants on 9694 9494.

Eastern Suburbs Memorial ParkPost Address / Administration & Cemetery Office12 Military Road Matraville, NSW 2036T | (02) 9661 5655F | (02) 9311 3654 E | enquiries@esmp.net.au

Eastern Suburbs Memorial Centre49 Military Road Matraville, NSW 2036T | (02) 9661 8865F | (02) 9661 8952

E | admin@esmc.net.au

Crematorium OfficeAt the Crematorium between the West and South ChapelsT | (02) 9661 5655F | (02) 9311 3654 E | enquiries@esmp.net.au

Funeral Home61 Military Road Matraville, NSW 2036T | (02) 9694 9494F | (02) 9694 9495E | funeralhome@esmp.net.au

ParkingA public parking facility is available to the

left of the Crematorium entrance.

Gate Opening TimesGates open at 6.30 am.

Cemetery gates close at 6pm.

Main Crematorium gate closes at 8pm.

Botany

Rd

Botany

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Bunnerong

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Bunnerong

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Anzac

Pde

Beau

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Rd

Beauchamp

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Franklin St

Military

Road

Bum

borah Point Rd

La Perouse

Eastern SuburbsMemorial Park

Southpoint ShoppingCentre

Father’s Day 10am, Sunday 2nd September, South Chapel

ESMP Open Day 11am - 2pm, Saturday 27th October

FUTURE EVENTS CALENDAR

Christmas Service6pm, Wednesday 19th December, South Chapel

Quarterly Masses Saturday 8th SeptemberSaturday 10th November

All Saints Day2pm, Sunday 4th NovemberEastern Suburbs Memorial Grove(Crypts and Vault area)

12 Military Road, Matraville NSW 2036 P | (02) 9661 5655 F | (02) 9311 3654 e | enquiries@esmp.net.au

www.esmp.net.au

Administered by:The Botany Cemetery & Eastern Suburbs Crematorium Trusts

Member of:Cemeteries & Crematoria Association of NSWAustralasian Cemeteries & Crematoria AssociationAustralian Funeral Directors Association