This historic finding has secured Cootamundra a $50,000 Federal Government Grant to restore the gravesites and surrounding areas, subsequently turning them in an attraction for the town.

Volunteers from the Australian Lebanese Historical Society first came to Cootamundra in July of 2007, undergoing research to capture the stories and experiences of pioneer Lebanese immigrants.

Having returned to Cootamundra a number of times after visiting hundreds of cemeteries throughout NSW and Queensland, the volunteers are convinced that one grave in Cootamundra’s cemetery is the oldest tombstone found in Australia with Lebanese connections.

The particular gravestone belongs to Thomas McGuire who died on November 19, 1896.

The sandstone grave, which was erected by Thomas’s then surviving brother George McGuire, is in desperate need of restoring.

The weathered and cracked tombstone is on a significant lean and the lead and chiselled lettering needs to be translated and replaced.

The entire tomb will also have to be gently cleaned and the lower sandstone base replaced.

Another two graves were also found to have connections with Lebanese immigrants.

Salam Orah Matha died on April 3, 1905 sharing a grave with Annie Matha who died on August 30, 1950.

Both graves will also undergo repair and restoration work.

The Australian Lebanese Historical Society used the knowledge of Peter Kabilia, the same Heritage Consultant used by the Cootamundra Shire Council, to conduct a conservation management strategy for the grave sites.

Freda Backes and her partner Paul, who are part of the Australian Lebanese Historical Society, met last week with Cootamundra Shire Council Manager of Facilities and Services Barry Turner, landscape architect Alex Dalglish and her assistant Emma Baldry to discuss options for plants.

Alex measured many of the areas, drawing a design of the cemetery and targeted areas, including important details such as drainage to feature gardens relevant to the history of the graves found of Lebanese heritage.

Alex, who has undertaken many landscape designs for the Cootamundra Shire Council said plants she is thinking of using are all commonly seen throughout the Cootamundra district including olive trees, thyme, pomegranate and oleander plants, which all adapt easily to Cootamundra’s climate.

Work is expected to start by September of this year.