Local Government
Upper Gascoyne
Region
Gascoyne
Gascoyne
Upper Gascoyne
Gascoyne
Constructed from 1900
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
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| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 29 Oct 1999 | Category 3 | |
The old cemetery at Gascoyne Junction has considerable historic significance as the first official burial place for the town. Although there is no obvious evidence of the old section of the cemetery, the picturesque and unusual location of the site affords the place aesthetic significance. Further the place is associated with a number of local characters.
The old cemetery is situated immediately to the north of Gascoyne Junction on an island formed by the Gascoyne River and adjacent to the polo ground. The cemetery contains three marked graves positioned side by side. The graves are distinguished by small concrete plinths with attached plaques and a simple metal pole grave surround and a simple metal pole surround. The plaque reads: "Henryk (Harry) Albinski, 1926 - 1984", "James Henry Fairweather, 1922-1984" and "John Anderson 1927-1986".
In June 1917, the upper Gascoyne Road Board wrote to the Lands Department requesting that an area on the island in the Gascoyne River at the Junction be set aside as an official cemetery. The area, which already contained five graves, was subsequently registered as the cemetery. Over the years the cemetery fell into a state of disrepair which was worsened by occasional big floods. By the 1970s the exact location of the graves was in doubt due to the poor condition of the area. Following the death of old-timer Harry Albinski, who had requested to be buried there, a new section of the cemetery was set aside. Among those buried in the old section cf the cemetery are: Philip John Dolton, aged 55, a station hand; Frederick McDonald, 40, a shearer who died on 14 April 1923 from drowning; Fred Cousins, 58, a blacksmith who died of heart failure; Frederick Edward Selway, 75, a contractor who died of natural" causes and Douglas Hugh Phillips, a station manager from Mt Augustus who died in 1942. The body of Douglas Phillips was later taken to Toodvay and reburied in the family grave yard. (McDonald. FR.. "Winning the Gascoyne', Hesperian Press, Perth, 1991. p.21")
Integrity: Medium
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald, R; "Winning the Gascoyne". | Hesperian Press, Carlisle, WA. | 1991 |
Historic Site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | MONUMENT\CEMETERY | Cemetery |
| Present Use | MONUMENT\CEMETERY | Cemetery |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
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