MILDURA councillor Min Poole said she was “really saddened and shocked” by the findings of a Victorian Ombudsman investigation into the conduct of a former council employee at the Mildura Cemetery Trust.
The Ombudsman’s report, tabled in parliament on Wednesday, alleged that former team leader of the trust Darren Bock illegally exhumed four bodies, sold memorial chairs for personal gain and received cash payments on the side from funeral directors to lift grave lids, enabling interment of additional people in a single grave.
Cr Poole, who has served on the Mildura Cemetery Trust for 2½ years, said she was unaware of the extent of the allegations until reading the report.
“We are really saddened and shocked … quite distressed really,” she said.
“Unfortunately over the past 25 years, there have been various people on the trust and often for very short terms.
“Even through the Ombudsman’s 12 to 18-month investigation, they’ve tried to clarify the intricacies of governance at the Cemetery Trust because it is quite unique.”
Mildura chief executive Sarah Philpott said she was greatly concerned by the issues identified in the report and apologised on behalf of the council.
“On behalf of the trust and the council … we once again apologise wholeheartedly to those families affected and acknowledge the impact of the events outlined in the report,” Ms Philpott said.
While the trust was established as a separate entity to manage the operations of two cemeteries, the council still plays an active role in providing employees and councillors to undertake cemetery duties.
Ms Philpott said confidentiality requirements imposed by the Ombudsman restricted the council from informing the community of the investigation.
“The governance arrangement between (the council) and the cemetery trust is fairly complex,” she said.
“What we will be doing is having a look at all of those structures as well as the employment relationships.”
The Ombudsman made a number of recommendations for the council as part of her report, including working to improve governance, training and processes for the two cemeteries.
Ms Philpott said the council and trust had accepted all five recommendations and would implement them.
“We understand this kind of incident does shake confidence in the process,” she said.
“That’s one of the reasons we’ve said up front we accept the recommendations, we apologise for the fact that this has happened and we are committed to fixing it.
“We are acutely aware of the community’s expectations when it comes to dealing with their deceased loved ones with care and compassion and the consequent importance of the proper provision of cemetery services.
“To have this questioned disappoints us all – we all expect better.”
Victorian Ombudsman’s recommendations to Mildura Council and Cemetery Trust
1. Refer a past employee’s conduct to Victoria Police for investigation.
2. Investigate disciplinary or management action in respect of the Manager referenced in the report.
3. Work with the Department of Health and Human Services to resolve the historical governance issues surrounding the cemeteries.
4. Ensure suitable replacement memorials be installed if memorial chairs subject to the report need to be removed due to deterioration over time.
5. Provide suitable support to individuals and families affected by the report.
