Anglo American was delighted to open up the site to the community to celebrate the history of the cemetery, which dates back to 1828, and the restored grounds of the accompanying Riverview house.

Anglo American Rural Property Manager Ian Curtis said the event was a huge success with more than 250 history buffs from across the Hunter Valley, Sydney and even the Gold Coast, Queensland, visiting the site to explore the cemetery.

“Anglo American has been a long-time supporter of the local heritage group and we have been committed to undertaking ongoing maintenance and restoration on the site to ensure it can be enjoyed and celebrated in years to come,” Mr Curtis said.

“This was a great opportunity to invite the community to share in the history, character and significance of the site.

“A number of former Kayuga residents attended the event, including two families that had lived in Riverview house in the 1950s to the 1980s.

“The event was a community effort, with locals providing historical photos, documents, an old black and white video and a number of audio interviews related to the site.”

Mr Curtis said it was also great to have the support of State MP Michael Johnsen at the event, along with the ongoing support of the Muswellbrook Local and Family History Society, Upper Hunter Museum of Rural Life and the Aberdeen Rifle Club.

The event also saw local historian Rob Tickle launch a new book about the history of the cemetery. 
Mr Tickle said Anglo American’s support of the book and ongoing maintenance of the heritage listed cemetery was much appreciated.

The cemetery is the oldest in the Upper Hunter Valley and had 22 gravestones when it was placed under the Heritage Act’s protection with its significance embedded in providing the resting place for members of the area’s convicts and pioneering families.

ENDS

Contact: Corporate Affairs, Vanessa Davies – 0400 927 185

Notes to editors:

Anglo American is a global and diversified mining business that provides the raw materials essential for economic development and modern life. Our people are at the heart of our business. It is our people who use the latest technologies to find new resources, plan and build our mines and who mine, process and move and market our products – from bulk commodities and base metals to precious metals and diamonds (through De Beers) – to our customers around the world. Our diversified portfolio of products spans the economic development cycle and, as a responsible miner, we are the custodians of precious resources. We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the long-term value that those resources represent for our shareholders, but also for the communities and countries in which we operate – creating sustainable value and making a real difference. Our mining operations, growth projects and exploration and marketing activities extend across southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.

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