Yvonne Van Ruskenveld

The Old Cemeteries Society’s AGM took place on a mild spring evening, April 16, at the Windsor Pavilion in Windsor Park in Oak Bay. We had an excellent turnout of thirty-five attendees. The evening included both the business meeting and a talk by Ben Clinton-Baker, curator of the Wentworth Villa Architectural Heritage Museum.

As usual with AGMs, the main event was the election of officers. However, as main events go, it was straightforward since the nominations were not contested. The OCS Board for 2025 is: president, Yvonne Van Ruskenveld; vice president, Janet McMeekin; treasurer, Gudrun Leys; secretary, Michael Halleran; directors at large: Wilf Bruch, Larissa Ciupka, Diana Pedersen, Ken Sudhues, Paul Taylor, and Amber Woods. Gerry Buydens remains as past president.

Two items of “Other Business” proved to be the highlights of the evening. The first was a brief report about our current major project—the restoration of the Edna Farnsworth grave in Ross Bay Cemetery. We announced this project on a tour about past OCS projects last June. Wilf, our project manager, obtained an estimate of $7,000 for the required work, and the OCS Board agreed to commit $3,500. For the remaining amount, we are relying on fundraising. I was able to announce at the AGM that we had raised $1,585 to date, and I was delighted to announce that an anonymous donor has stepped up and offered to match donations until we reach our goal. Thank you so much to that donor! I encouraged everyone to pick up a postcard of Edna’s grave that provided information on the different
ways to donate.

One more item of “Other Business” came as a complete surprise to long-serving Board member, Wilf Bruch. Wilf has been on the Board and managing and doing cleaning and restoration projects, mainly in Ross Bay Cemetery, for over twenty-five years. He is responsible for the beautiful gate at RBC, and he also managed the development of the Ross Bay Cemetery records, leading to their addition to our website, with the help of Leah Freedman. In addition to cleaning and restoration and website enhancement, Wilf sometimes gives tours and helps out with office tasks, such as replacing the printer. All in all, Wilf Bruch is an outstanding volunteer, so, to honour his many years of service, the OCS has established The Wilf Bruch Outstanding Volunteer Award, with Wilf as its first recipient. He is an inspiration! The award will be given annually.

Following that high point, the meeting adjourned for a break while the speaker set up. The break featured a delicious selection of home-baked cookies and squares provided by three Board members: Amber, Diana, and Larissa. Gudrun looked after the coffee and tea.

Ben Clinton-Baker gave a fascinating talk about the photographer Harry Upperton Knight, whose career in Victoria spanned decades from the 1920s through the 1960s. Ben captured the context and influences on Knight, while illustrating his talk with beautiful photos. Knight’s work is currently featured at the Wentworth Villa Architectural Heritage Museum. After his talk, Ben kindly stayed on to draw the tickets for the book raffle.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped to make this AGM so enjoyable.