He said the wider area around the grave was also “much improved”, adding that the council’s commitment to pay $165 a year for the upkeep of the site was “a spit in the ocean”.
Largely responsible for establishing the municipality of Holroyd in 1872, Mr Holroyd was a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly and Cr Garrard, who is chair of the council’s heritage committee, raised his concerns about the poor state of his grave in December.
Deciding to look for the the grave after reading a little about Mr Holroyd in a local history book, he said he was disgusted by the poor condition of the overgrown site.
“You can actually see it now. I’m quite pleased,” he said.
Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou also said it was an important step “in recognising those who came before us”.
“I am honoured to be able to pay my respects to a man of history and a forefather of the area,” he said.
Fix grave issue to recognise legend
WORK to clean up the area around Arthur Holroyd’s 1887 gravesite at Rookwood Cemetery, has been welcomed by Cumberland Councillor Paul Garrard (pictured).