Pioneer Graves in Western Australia

A great deal is written about the history of Western Australia but most times people don't get to see pictures of memorials, grave stones and the like of the people who endured unimaginable hardships to carve out a life in Western Australia. Here a few few photos I have taken on my travels

Arthur River

Adjacent to St. Paul's Anglican Church in Arthur River is the churchyard which contains many pioneer graves. A very hard life in the old days and a number died at quite a young age. Here is one of the more ornate tombs dated 1884-1885, indeed pioneering days. Shown respectfully. Photo - February 2013

Coogee

Charles Yelverton O'Connor was probably the most visionary, gifted and prolific engineer that Western Australia ever had or ever will have. Due to mental illness, he rode his horse into the sea at Coogee Bach on the morning of 10th March 1902, then used his revolver to take his own life. This statue, about a hundred metres from shore, man and horse, is a memorial to Mr O'Connor. It is located just out from the Omeo wreck and was created by Tony Jones. Photo - August 2012

East Perth

One of the many pioneer graves in the cemetery of St Batholemew's Anglican in East Perth. The earliest marked grave is of someone who died as early as 1830. There are many well known West Australian names on the headstones. Despite the fact that the church here is Anglican, the cemetery is multi-denominational and as such has separate areas for the various creeds. December 2012

Gingin

I was walking around the graveyard at the Anglican Church in Gingin and came across this old grave-stone. Not stone though, it's actually made of wood, it reflects the length of settlement in the Gingin area and its rich history. Elizabeth Rudrick was born in 1795, only a handful of years after the 1788 Sydney settlement. Photo - August 2011

Henley Brook

Along the walls of the inside of the All Saints Church In Henley Brook are a number of memorial stones. This photograph captures the story of local James Minchin. The memorials give an incredible insight into the long history of this area and the pioneers who lived here and opened up the land. July 2011

Henley Brook

In the churchyard of Henley Brook All Saints Church are graves dating from very recent to back to the beginning of European settlement in Western Australia. This is the headstone of Henry Morley who was born in 1802 - 25 years before Captain Stirling came through this area. Photo - July 2011

Mandurah

The grave of pioneer Thomas Peel in the grounds of the old church on the corner of Sholl Street and Pinjarra Road in Mandurah. Peel is the definitive Mandurah pioneer such that the locality and many other things are named after him. Thomas Peel arrived in what is now known as Mandurah on the ship 'Gilmore' on December 15th, 1829. Photo - October 2010

Marradong

Shown respectfully, here are some headstones on the graves of some of the pioneers who were instrumental in opening up the Marradong district for farming and settlers. Photo - April 2014

Pinjarra

Mr William Beacham arrivied in Western Australia on the "Lotus" on 8th October, 1829, the year the colony of Western Australia was established. Mr Beacham was therefore one of the state's very first European settlers. The Beacham family is still well known in the Pinjarra district. Photo - April 2014

Walkaway

The old Walkaway cemetery is set a couple of kilometres from the hamlet. It is on the main Dongara - Geraldton road, just north of the Greenough River bridge. This is a pioneer cemetery with about 28 people interred here. Pictured is a very old grave which may not be in its original position. Photo - September 2014

Walkaway

The grave of pioneer Hannorah O'Brien who passed away in 1904. Photo - September 2014

Walkaway

I don't usually include photos of signs but this one is a little special. So many unmarked graves here. Photo - September 2014

Yelbeni

A couple of kilometers north of Yelbeni is the cemetery. Respectfully, here is the grave of pioneer Thomas Dunlop who died at such a young age only 5 years after Yelbeni was established. It is difficult for modern people to conceive the hardships these pioneers endured to open up places like this. Photo - April 2012

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