General
Central Victoria’s last gravedigger Alan Graham is hanging up his pick and shovel
In 42 years as a gravedigger, Alan Graham has never known the weather to delay a funeral. When he gets the call, no matter how bad it is outside, he takes his pick and shovel and goes to work.
Key points:
- Alan Graham has dug about 4,000 graves, including almost every one in Daylesford Cemetery since 1979
- He prepared the grave for his daughter when she died in a car crash
- It’s a noble job, says wife Anne, and he does it with pride and care
“You could have a hurricane blowing and they’d still try to do the funeral,” he said.
“We had bushfires lapping around Daylesford eight years ago and they had to let me through roadblocks to get in so I could dig the hole.”
The 65-year-old is retiring next month after digging more than 4,000 graves in…
Continue Reading