Rumbelow & Descendants

Headstones and Memorials

Headstone Working Group

A sub-committee has been formed to investigate the poor state of some of the headstones of family graves. The sub-committee consists of Peter, Malen, Matt and Charlie. Much information has already been received from the Council.

We have been advised of two headstones requiring attention. We are to visit the Victor Harbor Cemetery shortly and look at all graves. The graves at the Tabernacle Cemetery are beyond repair.

Additional information

Grave Subsidence

The excavation of a grave, or any other reasonable size hole, results in the loosening of the excavated material. When soil is replaced into a grave, it will inevitably contain more air pockets than the compacted soil before excavation. Over time, a backfilled grave will 'sink' as the air pockets escape and the soil settles; this is absolutely natural and practically unavoidable, especially in wet weather.

The amount and frequency of grave sinkage depends upon numerous factors, including: Nature of the backfilled soil Nature of the surrounding ground Depth of excavation Amount of rain, or rainwater runoff Groundwater levels Ground subsidence is more likely after an extreme rainfall events or excessive rainfall over a prolonged period of time.

Burial and Cremation Regulations 2014

18 Nov 2021 — Burial and Cremation Regulations 2014—15.2.2023. Contents. 2. Published under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002. 34.

Cain Jelliff – drowned at the Murray Mouth in 1877.

He married Alice Rumbelow. They had no children, hence no immediate family to maintain.

His headstone is in four parts held together by rusty steel backing and bolts.

Walter Rumbelow - Drowned 23 December 1932.

Walter’s body was never recovered. His memorial is situated on another headstone.

Married with 9 children. The headstone is on a lean which needs to be corrected.

Rumbelow and Descendants Memorial Cairn

62 Franklin Parade, Encounter Bay

The cairn was built from (granite) rock that was cut from the islands and the trimmings from the granite blocks that built into the facing of (South Australian) Parliament House.

We don't know whether scavenged or whether it was legitimately gained but the house on the corner that's now gone had that was the facing of the house and it was saved by the council and we're really appreciative the fact that the council have been able to create this cairn and we as a family are going to unveil a plaque on that cairn that just has the words will you'll see soon that just indicate our love and respect for those that went before us.

Cairn official opening, Yilki foreshore. 17th April 2005

Memorial to Lost Fishermen

Australian Maritime & Fisheries Academy North Parade Wharf (West of the Birkenhead Bridge)
Port Adelaide SA

The monument is a permanent tribute to those who lost their lives whilst working at sea along the South Australian Coast and is located on the wharf in front of the Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy at Port Adelaide.

The monument is a three sided black obelisk situated on two steps listing the names of commercial fishermen who lost their lives at sea in pursuit of their livelihood from the West Coast, Central and South East Coast of South Australia. There are currently 174 names dating back to 1885.

Extract of Memorial Listing (Central

No. Name: Date:

8 Rumbelow, (Malen) 1905

12 Rumbelow, (Walter & David) 1932

18 Hera-Singh (S.) 1947

28 Jones (B.) 1963

39 Rumbelow, (Kevin) 1981

41 Jones, (Laurie) 1982

The memorial is an important reminder to Academy students of how dangerous the sea can be. 20 years prior to the establishment of the Academy there were 60 deaths at sea. In the 20 years since that time there have been 10.

In some instances 2 to 3 members in one family have been lost which has a terrible impact on the families and the communities.

Our CEO tells the story of when the memorial was unveiled; a woman with 2 young children was in tears and told him it was the first time she had a place to mourn her lost husband.

Memorial to Lost Fishermen
Australian Maritime & Fisheries Academy, Port Adelaide

The Memorial to Lost Fisherman was commissioned by Mr Hagen Stehr A.O. Chairman of Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy. It was dedicated in 1998 by the Governor, His Excellency Sir Eric Neal.

Graveyard Working Group - 2008

Following the 2005 Family Reunion, a small group undertook to place informative plaques on family graves in Feburary 2008.

Pte Frank Harris RUMBELOW

Buttes New British War Cemetery, Belgium

The grave of Pte Frank Harris RUMBELOW at Buttes New British War Cemetery, Belgium. On 12th October 1917 he was reported missing in action and this was later upgraded to killed in action in April 1918 aged 23.

He is named in Belgium at the Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen. Frank was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

This photograph was taken by Victor Harbor RSL members Ian & Janet MILNES on 30 October 2015.

Victor Harbor Council Cemetery

Address: 1 Finniss Road, Victor Harbor

Rumbelow Cemetry Search

VH Cemetery Index 15 10 2007

Victor Harbor Cemetery Photos - (C. Rumbelow)

Victor Harbor Cemetery - M. Rumbelow

Tabernacle Church Cemetery Reserve

Tabernacle Road, Encounter Bay

Tabernacle Cemetery also known as Tabernacle Church Cemetery Reserve is of significant local historical importance, being the site of the first Newland Congregation al Church built in 1846 by Reverend Ridgway William Newland. Newland being a leading pioneer, clergyman and the first chairman of the District Council of Encounter Bay, Tabernacle Church Cemetery Reserve is also the last resting place of many of the area's pioneers.

The land occupied by the Tabernacle Church Cemetery Reserve forms part of the land grant and the I 840 survey of the pioneer township of Yelkie (Yiiki).

The Tabernacle cemetery was officially used from 1840 until 1860 when it was determined that no more plots could be sold due to the opening in I 855 of the Victor Harbor Cemetery, Only a handful of grave sites are marked, with most remaining unmarked. At least 26 settlers whose names are known have been buried here along with others whose names are not known.

Tabernacle Cemetery

1861 RUMBELOW, ANN

1859 RUMBELOW, DAVID

1855 RUMBELOW, GODFREY

Tabernacle Cemetery Photos - (C. Rumbelow)

City of Victor Harbor - Cemetery and Memorials FAQ

1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor SA 5211

P 08 8551 0500

E localgov@victor.sa.gov.au | www.victor.sa.gov.au

Responsibility for grave sites and headstones is the responsibility of the interment right holder?

See attached the Cemetery Rules of Operation that is available on our website – section 7 outlines the responsibilities relating to memorial plaques and monuments.

Can you provide a list of who is the designate for each of the graves?

A list of interment right holders for each Rumbelow grave can be provided, however there is fee for large searches. Attached is the 2024-25 Fees & Charges Register, page 13 states that searching for records of up to five (5) names is $70 and for additional names the price will be based on the application. A list of the sites/names that you are wanting to enquire about will be required.

How long are the plots leased/confirmed for?

The plots at the Victor Harbor Cemetery and Inman Valley Cemetery are leased for 99 years.

How can we ascertain when the leases will expire?

All interment rights taken our prior to 01.01.2000 have an automatic extension to 31.12.2098. This means that all the interments you listed below have an expiry date of 31.12.2098. These interment rights will remain in perpetuity.

The earliest date of interment right expiration is 31/12/2098, as per section 5, number 5 of the Cemetery Rules of Operation.

Which headstones are considered heritage?

The entire Victor Harbor Cemetery is listed as a local heritage site, according to SA Heritage. The monuments/headstones at the Tabernacle Cemetery are not state or locally heritage listed.

Can our family group undertake repairs and maintenance of the headstones on behalf of other relatives?

Repairs and maintenance of headstones or memorials can be undertaken by appropriately qualified professionals such as a monumental mason, with the permission from the site’s interment right holder. If a sites interment right holder is deceased, the right can be transferred to a living relative. I have attached a transfer of interment right application. Please note, the person/s (up to 2) are to be the highest-ranking person/s of entitlement in relation to the deceased interment right holder.

Who do we report issues to for immediate repair?

As mentioned above, repairs relating to monuments and memorials are the responsibility of interment right holder.

Who is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the Rumbelow Memorial Cairn?

City of Victor Harbor is responsible for the general maintenance of the Cairn. We are not responsible for the upkeep of the plaque, for example if it needs polishing.

Who is responsible for the “early settler headstones” who know longer have living relatives?

The Tabernacle Cemetery is City of Victor Harbor’s responsibility, and I refer you to the answer below. The headstones/monuments within the Victor Harbor Cemetery are the responsibility of the families. If a sites interment right holder is deceased, the right can be transferred to a living relative. I have attached a transfer of interment right application.

Please note, the person/s (up to 2) are to be the highest-ranking person/s of entitlement in relation to the deceased interment right holder.

A suggestion, if there is a Rumbelow Family Trust then you could consider transferring the Interment Right to the Rumbelow Family Trust (instead of just one family member).

Who can repair / maintain headstone on behalf of families?

I refer you to the Monumental Masons Association of SA’s website which provides a list of its members. https://monumentalassociationsa.com.au/

Do you have a list of current heritage listed/protected headstones at Victor or Tabernacle Cemeteries? Can you provide this?

The Property Team has been researching the restoration of these headstones. This will be a lengthy project that will take both time and budget consideration. At this stage there are no funds available but other options are being investigated. The entire Victor Harbor Cemetery is listed as a local heritage site, according to SA Heritage.

How / when is the cemetery database updated?

Unfortunately, our current system is not compatible with the software database which uploads information onto the online Cemetery Database available on City of Victor Harbor’s website. We are transferring to a new computer system and it is hoped that in 2026 the cemetery database will be active.

Are local interest groups available for help in any works (Rotary/Lions/National Trust?)

This will need to be investigated by your members.

Are the council involved with condition assessment and reports for headstones? If so who?

This is responsibility of the Interment Right Holder.

Can headstones be removed for restoration and returned?

I refer you to the Monumental Masons Association of SA and also it would be responsibility of the Interment Right Holder. All work is to be referred to City of Victor Harbor for approval and must be undertaken by a qualified monumental mason.

Is there a local/regional headstone/stonemason available?

As per above information.

Cemetery VH map 2014 A3.pdf

Cemetery-Rules-of-Operation-17-12-2012-1.pdf

2024-25-Fees-and-Charges-Register.pdf

Tabernacle-Cemetery-Management-Plan.pdf

CVH Transfer of Interment Right Form 2024.pdf

West Row UK, War Memorial

West Row, Suffolk, United Kingdom

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