National Trust of Australia (WA) Education & Learning

EAST PERTH CEMETERIES
Bronte St, East Perth

When Governor Stirling arrived in the Swan River Colony in 1829, one of his first acts was to set aside land for public needs including the practical requirement of a cemetery. In November 1829, land was allocated for public burial grounds on what became known as Cemetery Hill. Today this is a part of East Perth.

East Perth Cemeteries are significant today because they were the main burial grounds for the Swan River Colony from 1829 to the end of the 19th century. The site is a remnant of what originally comprised seven independently owned and managed cemeteries. It has been estimated that there were 10,000 burials in the East Perth Cemeteries. To date some 800 graves have been identified.

Visiting East Perth Cemeteries will bring to life the experience of death in the early days of the settlement of Western Australia. Your students will learn about the history of the site, discover the graves of early settlers and pioneers and explore the symbolism of headstones.

Bronte Street has pay parking. There is a free bus bay outside the main gate.

Students' Comments
It was a great place to explore. Sophie
It was amazing to see that John Septimus Roe was buried there. Harry
I thought it was very interesting because one of my relatives was buried there. My favourite grave was the one with the angel on top. Grace
I thought the grave yard was a great excursion to go to. Liam
I had no idea that John Forrest and John Septimus Roe were even buried here in Perth. Suhasini
I thought it was going to be really creepy but in the end it wasn’t at all. Daniel

READING ROCKS for years 2 - 7

INVESTIGATING EAST PERTH CEMETERIES for years 5 - 10

ADOPT–A-GRAVE for years 10 - 12

Teachers of S&E for years 8 to 12 should contact the National Trust to discuss curriculum specific needs.

Bookings essential. Please allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for your visit.

Cost: $4.50 per head half day visit; $5.50 full day visit. Accompanying adults free of charge.
(National Trust member schools receive reduced rates)

To make a booking or for further enquiries contact The National Trust of Australia (WA)
Phone: 9321 6088
Email: trust@ntwa.com.au

Teaching resources are available

TOUR THROUGH TIME webquest
With heritage as a central theme and using Western Australian history as a base, teachers are able to engage students in a variety of fun activities. The curriculum linked activities in the Webquest relate to Tranby, The Old Mill and East Perth Cemeteries. They are suitable for primary students and relate to the Tour Through Time CD resources to supplement teaching and learning.

INSURANCE, EXCURSION MANAGEMENT & EVACUATION PLAN

View Larger Map

READING ROCKS
suitable for years 2 to 7

Gravestones can give us a great deal of information about specific periods of history.
At East Perth Cemeteries students will learn about the history of Perth and the Cemeteries site in the early days of the Swan River Colony. They will be given a tour of the Cemeteries and use the Reading Rocks Trail workbook to discover more about the people buried there.
Download Reading Rocks Trail

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INVESTIGATING EAST PERTH CEMETERIES
suitable for years 5 to 10

Students are introduced to the historical and heritage significance of this site and St Bartholomews Chapel. They will explore the cemeteries and graves. Extend your visit with an art or drama activity. Resources are available for students to continue their introduction to one of Australia's last remaining Colonial Cemeteries in the classroom.

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ADOPT-A-GRAVE
for students in years 10 to 12

‘Adopt-A-Grave’ brings together the skills of research and website technology with gardening and maintenance.

Students taking part in the program are given the opportunity to research and interpret an important period and theme of local history and are empowered to present this information in a meaningful way to their peers and others.

They are introduced to East Perth Cemeteries by expert guides, trained in maintenance of heritage places by curatorial and heritage staff, taught research skills at the State Library of WA and finally create web site information pages at school that are made available to the public through the National Trust website.

ADOPT–A-GRAVE - view students work

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Public Events: NTWA 'What's On' Page

Photography & Story Competition 2010

Year 11 Local History in the Pilbara - The Burrup and Beyond

Golden Pipeline Research Assets

Reminiscence Boxes and Conversation Cards

Tour Through Time Webquest

Professional Learning