The cemetery is in a bush setting with scattered self-sown trees. It is classified by the National trust as it “displays a high degree of individuality and technical achievement of the craftsmen and forms part of the old village”.

For some years I have been transcribing and photographing cemeteries in various towns. 

This seems to be the best way to combat destruction by mindless idiots who want to destroy heritage. They must get some kick out of smashing an inert object that cannot fight back.

I recently transcribed and photographed the Catholic cemetery at Marulan, a cemetary classified by the National Trust as a “perfect example of 19th century rural lifestyle”. That cemetery is a valuable record, not only for family historians, but as a historical understanding of ‘Old Marulan’, the people, their lifestyle, and religious beliefs.

One of the headstones intentionally destroyed was a most unusual monument to John Anlezark with three Celtic crosses, a sign of respect to a pioneer, installed in 1889.

The William Drennan magnificent monument installed by Richard Chapman tells a story of the kindness of the Chapman family to an old ex-convict employee who had no relations. 

Chapman met Drennan in Sutton Forest and took him to Marulan, where he gave him a small property to be his ‘for the remainder of his life’ when the land reverted to Chapman.

Each one of the headstones tells a story of those who lived long ago. Now the beauty and peace of that rural site has gone forever. I do hope someone will ‘dob in’ the people responsible, although nothing can bring back history.

Lorna Parr, Goulburn.