As New South Wales is fast running out of Crown burial space, one of the key missions of the Board of MMP is to identify new burial space to meet the demand of our religious and secular communities.
MMP was established in 2023 by the NSW Government from the merger of three former Crown cemetery operators to provide affordable and inclusive cemetery and crematoria services to all members of the community, regardless of faith.
MMP manages significant cemeteries in NSW including Rookwood General Cemetery and Crematorium, Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium, Frenchs Forest Bushland Cemetery, Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery, Woronora Memorial Park and Crematorium, Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park and Crematorium at Matraville, Field of Mars Cemetery in Ryde, and Sandgate Cemetery in Newcastle.
Mr Elliott is the CEO of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (NSW & ACT) and an experienced former member of NSW Parliament for 12 years, including time as Cabinet Minister for Corrections, Emergency Services, Veterans, Police, Counter Terrorism, Transport and Western Sydney.
Mr Secord is a Senior Adviser to the Ted Noffs Foundation and was previously a member of the NSW Parliament for 12 years, including time as the NSW Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Shadow Treasurer and various Shadow Minister roles.
The Board is established under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 and is responsible for controlling the affairs and governing the strategic direction and financial management of MMP.
Mr Elliott and Mr Secord will join five other members on the board of MMP, Ken Morrison (Chair), Mark Bloom, Arthur Diakos PSM, Professor Roberta Ryan, and Alice Spizzo.
MMP Board Chair Ken Morrison said:
"Metropolitan Memorial Parks welcomes the appointment of these two new Directors at this important time as we work to secure more interment space for the community.
“Losing a loved one can be the most difficult time in a person’s life, so it’s vital that we have a skilled and experienced board overseeing our Crown cemeteries to ensure they operate effectively to support communities and residents when at their most vulnerable.”
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“Mr Elliott and Mr Secord will bring strong experience and skills to ensure the MMP Board is equipped to meet current and future challenges.
“The NSW Government is focused on building better communities. We want all people to have access to sustainable and affordable burial and cremation services that are respectful of culture and faith, and provided in a compassionate, consistent, transparent, and accountable way.”