A history of family involvement with the Dimboola Cemetery has led to Dimboola Cemetery Trust receiving a most generous bequest from Peter and Jan Gooding.

Jan's son Jeff Barry and his wife Krissy travelled to Dimboola to make the official bequeath presentation of behalf of the family.

Above - Rhonda Huf, Dimboola Cemetery Trust President; Debra Nelson, Dimboola Cemetery Trust Secretary; Jeff Barry. Photo contributed.

Peter's mother Gert was Secretary of the Dimboola Cemetery Trust for years 34 until her passing in 1997 and Peter became a Trustee at the age of 22 in 1971.

Gert was a humble person and is fondly remembered for her delicious suppers following trust meetings and contagious laugh.

Peter's wife Jan took on the role as Secretary in 1997 and served for nearly five Years.

Peter was an active volunteer and took great pride in the maintenance of the grounds. Like most community groups the Dimboola Cemetery Trust has also seen a decline in numbers of people willing to commit to volunteer work. Peter was concerned that unless the trend changed, there was a very real possibility in the future, that grounds maintenance may need to be conducted by paid employees in the absence of willing volunteers.

It was for this reason that Peter decided to bequeath $100,000 to the Dimboola Cemetery Trust with the principal to be invested for a minimum period of twenty one years to provide funds to maintain the Cemetery to the high standard that the community has been proud of to date.

After the presentation Jeff said "It was an great honour to be able to carry out Peter and Mum's last wishes in handing over this money on behalf of the family, that will help secure future maintenance and improvements to the currently well maintained Dimboola Cemetery where both Peter and mum are interred."

Rhonda Huf, President of Dimboola Cemetery Trust said "On behalf of all the Trustees I would like to express the deep sadness felt by all with the loss of Peter and acknowledge the huge contribution that Peter, Jan and Gert made to the Trust over many years and also thank the family for honouring Peter's wishes."

Peter served as an active volunteer on the Dimboola Cemetery Trust for a total of 44 years until his sudden death in 2015.