Cemeteries in the South West - Western Australia

This is rather delayed as you can see by the date but now I would like to share some of my pictures from our trip to Western Australia, and specifically the South-west. Here is a map of the region and I will try to get to these in the order that we saw them. This page will serve as the main page for navigation to the various picture collections but each cemetery will have its own description and some choice photographs.

Itinerary
Nannup
Pemberton
Walpole
Denmark
Albany
Kojunup
Wagin

Cemeteries in the South-West of Western Australia - October 2009

Nannup Cemetery

I like the idea of these angles laying atop the gravestone in such a manner.
There were a number of this kind of ornament in this cemetery -
the flower headdress being particulary common

There is not much information about this cemetery but I have scrapped together some material for this post. The town of Nannup has a population of about 1200 people and is located 282 km south of Perth.

According to the Municipal Shire of Nannup, the land for the cemetery was set aside in 1906. The first recorded Church of England internment was in 1908. The cemeteyr includes sections for various denominations and paupers. It is still in use today.

I love the effect that moss has on these simple figures.
Sometimes they can look rather menancing with the eyes
blackened but this seems to hold its innocence.

Sources:
History of Nannup
Shire of Nannup Municipal Inventory

Pemberton Cemetery

Ned Kelly

Pemberton is located 335 km south of Perth and is in the heart of karri country. These trees are huge and there is a famous one that you can climb called the Gloucester tree (here is a picture of me climbing it!)

It was initially hard to recognise this figure, a horse,
because of the strange angle it is on. It looks as though
it is curling its head around the headstone.

Pemberton Cemetery
The following information is taken from the Cemetery and Historical Records in the Manjimup District website created by Judith Chequer.

"The Pemberton Cemetery was founded in the early 1920's with the earliest grave memorial remaining being for Wallace Thomson, who was buried on the 20th Dec 1920 in the Anglican section. Almost all the graves in this cemetery have grave number makers and the sites are easy to find. The Cemetery was initially divided into 3 sections; Catholic, Methodist and Anglican - which are now full - and a new Non Denominational section has been added to the South of the original site.

The graves without headstones are in the process of being restored by the Cemetery Committee, with the assistance of the RSL, and there is now a white cross marking each grave. The Cemetery Committee is also working on upgrading and correcting the records for the Shire Council and are to be commended for their wonderful work.

Pemberton Niche Wall

The Niche Wall is situated in the Pemberton Cemetery information building and was erected by the residents of Pemberton, with the assistance of the Green family. The Wall was dedicated on the 19th November 1993 and there is a plaque thanking the Green Family for their contribution to the wall."

This is layout map of the site including names and denominations. You can find a list of the names included in the niche wall here.

This piece actually had the thumb print of the sculptor visible on it.
It reads, "He died for freedom and honour".

Sources:
Shire of Manjimup
Pemberton Cemetery

Walpole Cemetery

I thought this worth including both for its kitche factor but also
because I love the detail of the whale following Noah's Ark.

Walpole is situated 430 kilometres from Perth and has a population of about 500 people. Its main attraction, apart from being a coastal town is the Tree Top Walk in the Valley of the Giants. Here you can walk in the canopy so having a bird's eye view of the karri and tingle trees. Here is a picture of me on the specially designed suspension type bridge.

Walpole Cemetery

I wasn't able to find any information about the cemetery's history. However I did find mention of it in one (relatively) recent issue of the Walpole Weekly. In November 2008 there was an entry is about the need for a gazebo type building to be included in the grounds for the benefits of visitors. I don't recall seeing this gazebo when we were there so am not sure if it has gone ahead or not.

This is a rather motley collection of item which is why it is so interesting.
A clear stone, an angel head, a rocking horse, cupid and dead leaves.
An art work by accident.

Here is a link to the layout of the cemetery which includes the names and denominations of those buried there.

I often photograph broken items on gravestones. I think this is because
they seem to break the spell of the serenity of the grave itself. They are
unsettling but strangely beautiful.

Denmark Cemetery

Denmark Cemetery

You will often see gnomes in cemeteries.

People like them in life...and in death it seems.

A dogs view of the cemetery. 

Denmark is 414km from Perth and has a population of about 5000 people.

"The Denmark Cemetery is located on South Coast Highway and managed by the Denmark Shire Council." (Denmark Council) Committee meeting minutes are available here.

A cemetery map is located here.

Here is a link to the register of names of those buried.

  This bird was laying on its side in the middle of the rows of headstones. 

I wasn't sure where it belonged. I like the way it is just laying there.

Source:

The Denmark Cemetery - Denmark Shire Council.

Albany Cemetery

Albany is located 409 km from Perth. It is famous in the region for being a whaling station. Operations ceased  20th of November 1978.
I learned on our trip here that this site was often the last seen by ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand ArmyCorps) troops as they left for World War I. More information on this can be found on this site. 


Albany Cemetery
I was able to find some information about this cemetry which is included below the image:

 

 The crack cuts right across the head of this angel.

The current name of the cemetery is the Albany Memorial Park Cemetery . Former names include; Memorial Park Cemetery, Old Albany Cemetery, Middleton Road Cemetery and  Pioneer Cemetery. It is located on Middleton Road in Albany.

"Albany Memorial Park Cemetery, a hillside cemetery reserve of just over 2.5 hectares divided into denominational sections and containing approximately 5,000 graves, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

• the place is the first consecrated cemetery in Western Australia;
• the place has a landmark quality on both sides of Middleton Road,which has provided the basis for the development of further recreational developments in the immediate vicinity;
• the place is the burial ground for many people involved in the European settlement of the region, and of members of families prominent in the early history of Western Australia, particularly those prominent within the Great Southern regions;
• the place is significant for the number of burials of people from different cultural backgrounds and is representative of the multicultural foundation of the development of the town and region; 
• the place is valued by the Albany and the Plantagenet regional community as a tangible reminder of the historical development of the town and region. The place is valued through its religious, historical, familial, personal and social associations and contributes to the local community’s sense of place; and,
• the place is significant as a cultural landscape, a topographically unusual cemetery, and a collection of sepulchral masonry and ironwork" (Source: Heritage Council of Western Australia) 

"The National Trust of Australia (WA) classified the Memorial Park Cemetery in December 2000 and it was placed on the permanent register of the Heritage Council of WA in 2003 and is also included in the Municipal Heritage Inventory of the City of Albany.
The entire Memorial Park Cemetery presents as a fascinating visitor experience – the setting, the landscape, the grave markings and the memorials commemorating the burials of people over one hundred years of the developing community of a port settlement which began in 1826, became a Town and finally a City and major regional centre.

 Unusual item. Perhaps this person was a Doors fan? 

"Peace Frog" being a famous song of theirs. 

All the burials in the cemetery are significant from a social history point of view. Others are important for the materials used or for aesthetic appeal of the tombstones and railings. Many of the interest as servicemen, as mariners or as people of high profile in the life of Albany; most are relevant as ordinary people with no claim to notoriety." (Source: Albany Cemetery Board)

A List of famous people buried at the site is available here.

I have absolutely no idea what this is, however the shapes and 

colours and interesting and provide a stark contrast to the grey of the headstone. 

Sources:
Whaling in Albany - WhaleWorld
Albany's History - Albany Historical Society
Register of Heritage Places - Heritage Council of Western Australia
Albany Cemetery Board

Kojonup Cemetery

Konjonup is located 260km  from Perth. I wanted to visit this place as my great grandmother and great grandfather are buried here. I managed to find the grave after consulting the friendly and helpful staff at the local tourist information centre. 

Konjonup Cemetery

  This is the gravestone of my great grandparents. The inscription reads:

In Loving Memory of George Emery Gare

Beloved Husband of Henrietta

Loved father of Frank, Joan and Dick.

Born 1.9.1880   Died 28.4.1949

Later, when my great grandmother died, my grandfather (Frank Ellis Gare 1918-2003) 

interred her ashes in the same grave and provided the additional inscription (see image). 

The inscription reads:

And his loving wife

Henrietta

Born 11.3.1894   Died 2.9.1990

Together Again.  

I was not able to locate much information on the internet, save for this link to the record of the cemetery under the Kojonup Cemetery Act of 1928.

I like the effect of the spider web on this angel's head and wings.

 

Someone has given this angel a flag to hold, rather unceremoniously held together with masking tape.

Wagin Cemetery

Wagin is located 229 km of Perth. We only stopped here briefly on our way back to Perth, hence the small number of photographs.

I could not locate any online information about this particular cemetery.

 The blue sky contrasts so well with the white angel in this shot.

This is a rather disturbing find. The child looks so agonised, but beautiful surrounded by flowers. 

I love the singing trio. The red dust gives a real outback feel to this picture.