The NSW Government has begun the search for highly skilled and experienced people to join the new Metropolitan Memorial Parks Board when it is established later this year.

This marks another major milestone as the former crown cemetery land managers (which includes Northern Metropolitan Cemeteries Land Manager, Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Land Manager and Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Land Manager) transition towards an exciting new future as a united entity. 

In his media statement announcing the search, NSW Lands Minister Steve Kamper states the Board will be “supported by the Government to oversee Metropolitan Memorial Parks’ operations and work on interesting opportunities and challenges, including creating more cemetery space for Sydney, helping rethink the role cemeteries play as shared public open spaces, and engaging with key faith communities and stakeholders to meet consumer needs.”

The Board will play a critical governance role for the organisation, representing the long-term 
interests of the people of NSW as the body which is responsible for the strategy and performance of Metropolitan Memorial Parks.

The Public Service Commission has determined that the Board will be a skills-based board made up of seven members, including the Chair. 

The Minister has flagged that he is looking for people with skills and experience in the following areas:
• Financial management
• Governance and risk management
• Organisational performance
• Stakeholder engagement 
• Commercial strategy
• Legal.

Other desirable experience includes place management, construction and development, change management and information technology. Diversity and multiculturalism will be highly valued. I expect that the final Board will include some directors with experience in the cemetery sector and others who will bring fresh experience to the role.

The Board search process is being conducted by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, with the Board roles to be advertised in major metropolitan newspapers, online and government board sites. More details and the candidate information pack can be found here.

In parallel with this, the Metropolitan Memorial Parks Administrator, Mr. Ken Morrison, will shortly commence the search process for a permanent CEO timed so that the final CEO appointment decision will be made by the new Board.

These two milestones are an important step towards ensuring the provision of affordable interments for all communities, and long-term sustainability of crown cemeteries in NSW.