Help Us Choose the Memorial Rock to Honour Those Who Rest in Unmarked Graves
Did you know more than 700 people, including stillborn babies, immigrants, and early settlers, are buried in unmarked and pauper graves at the Timaru Cemetery?
Many were laid to rest without headstones, without ceremony, and sometimes without family present. The records are sparse, and some of the stories have been lost. These are people who lived, worked, loved, and contributed to our community, and are currently only recognised online as "Row 0".
With the support of the Timaru Civic Trust, Les Jones and I are working together to create a memorial that helps our communtiy recognise and remember these people. We are planning a simple boulder and plaque to acknowledge and honour those inteered with funding from the government and those who rest in unmarked graves. It will help explain to visitors to the grass area why so many humps and hollows lie beneath the lawn.
We would love your feedback. We’re on the hunt for the right memorial rock. Something that feels grounded, strong, and timeless. A stone that can stand on behalf of those whose names were lost. If you'd like to help us choose, please keep an eye out. We’ll be sharing some options soon.
Please pop over to Facebook to vote - or flick me an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Check out the Timaru Herald article here: https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360773273/south-cantabrians-asked-choose-rock-unmarked-graves
If you’d like to support the project financially, thank you so much. Every donation helps us make this happen. The Timaru Civic Trust is a registered New Zealand charity, so you can claim back 33 percent of your donation through the IRD.
To donate:
Account: Timaru Civic Trust: 03-1715-0012771-00. Reference: monuments
Please send me an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let me know you have donated so we can reconcile the accounts.
And please let us know:
Would you like your donation to be anonymous, or is it okay to acknowledge you publicly?
Would you like a donation receipt emailed to you?
You can read the full story here: wuhootimaru.co.nz/help-us-honour-ann-and-all-who-rest-in-unmarked-graves
Memorial Fundraising Goals
Ann Williams Memorial
Honouring Timaru’s first European mother with a rock from her son’s goldmining site in Kumara, to be placed beside her husband’s grave.
Plaque cost: $900 + GST $135 = $1,035
Unmarked and Pauper Graves Memorial
A second boulder and plaque to recognise 700+ people buried without markers or headstones.
Option A – Medium (300x200mm): $1,300 + GST $195 = $1,495
Option B – Extra-large (400x300mm): $2,600 + GST $390 = $2,990 (preferred option)
Fundraising Progress (as of 08/08/2025)
Total needed (Ann + Option B): $4,025
Raised so far: $1,595
Still to raise: $2,430
Thank you for helping us remember those who rest in pauper and unmarked graves.
Roselyn Fauth (Wuhoo Timaru, and Timaru Civic Trust member), and mason, Les Jones from Aorangi & Harding Memorials.