WORONORA

I grew up in Sutherland Shire in Sydney. In the 50's and 60's it was a working man's area but surrounded by beautiful wild bushland, where my family, friends and I spent many days playing. One lovely spot close to home (Loftus) was the Woronora River (an aboriginal word meaning 'black rock'). Even today it is a pristine place to play. Unfortunately "The Shire" as it is called today is looked down on by many Sydney ites living north of the shire but I have very fond memories of growing up there. It also has lovely bays, beaches and The Royal National Park. There are working class and upper class people living there but some years ago there was a nasty racial incident which took place at Cronulla and that has tarnished the area.

Photo from the web.

Where the hills rise up out of the valley and meet the town of Sutherland, there is  Woronora Cemetery. It is still has bushland on some of its borders and makes it a very pretty cemetery. My father was buried there in 1983. 

This is an area for family memorials and their ashes.

 This area for ashes is called the "Serenity Walk." Fox was impressed with the gazebo.

 My mother moved to Brisbane to be near me in 1990 when she could no longer care for her house by herself.

  In 1999 when she was dying I asked her where she wanted to be buried but she didn't care or want to talk about it. When she died, I thought it would be nice for her to buried near my dad in Sydney, the city she loved. So I had her ashes sent to the cemetery and they found a spot in the same rose garden. When I was in Sydney last week we went to see my parents' resting place. Sonya and the little ones came too. The roses are not in bloom at the moment but is very pretty when they are.  

Sonya tries to explain to 2 year old Fox that this is where your great grandma is sleeping.

It is sad that my parents never saw Sonya become a mother and meet their great grandsons. However mum did meet my brother's grandchildren. 

It is a beautiful environment and one couldn't stay sad for long.