Kalila Matthews

This presentation will explore how social media can foster community engagement and preserve cemetery heritage. Drawing on my volunteer work at South Brisbane Cemetery, I will share how platforms like TikTok and Instagram have helped educate people of all ages about grave cleaning, cemetery history, and unique grave types. I will also highlight how my content has encouraged more people to participate in grave cleaning events and other activities. The talk will focus on: Personal Experience: My journey as a volunteer cleaning graves and connecting with others through Guardian Angels Days; Social Media Impact: How my videos and posts inspire participation in grave cleaning and spark interest in cemetery heritage; Community Engagement: Stories and quotes from viewers and participants who were motivated to engage with cemetery preservation efforts.

About Kalila

Kalila holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Film, TV, and Radio. She works as a camera operator while also creating social media content for fun, amassing a following of over 36,000 across various platforms (see TikTok: @Kalila_Matthews and Information / All my links). Passionate about cemetery conservation, she volunteers with Friends of South Brisbane Cemetery, using digital storytelling to educate and engage the public. Her videos on grave cleaning and cemetery history have reached thousands worldwide, inspiring greater community participation and historical awareness.