A group of community offenders has embarked on a large-scale project to maintain historical cemeteries across the Maitland region.
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During the past few months offenders – sentenced to serve Community Service Orders and Intensive Corrections Orders – have maintained the grounds of cemeteries at Lochinvar, Bishops Bridge and Branxton, saving the community up to $50,000.
“This is all about people repaying the community for their behaviour and each person is carefully vetted and assessed for community safety,” Maitland Community Corrections manager Daniel Wilson said.
“And this sort of work is generally not being undertaken by anyone else in the community.
“So we’ve had a specific focus on cemeteries in the area so they are nice and presentable for family members and other members of the community.”
Mr Wilson said the project is also about instilling a sense of community in the offenders.
“It’s important these guys feel that the work they’re doing is fulfilling and that they are repaying the community,” he said.
“Quite often people will stop by and thank them and gives them a sense of achievement for what they are doing.”
