Conservation

Being an outdoor site the graves and memorials are subject to the weather and there are no guarantees they will last forever. However their deterioration can be slowed or even halted through careful conservation.

Policies have been developed to safeguard the cultural heritage significance of the East Perth Cemeteries. They are based on the principles of the Burra Charter which advocates a cautious approach to change that is “do as much as necessary to care for the place and to make it useable, but otherwise change it as little as possible so that its cultural significance is retained”.

Conservator Piero Casellati undertaking specialist treament of a slate headstone.

Image: National Trust of Western Australia

East Perth Cemeteries is included on the State Register of Heritage Places and therefore protected under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990. The National Trust of Western Australia has delegated authority to approve works to places under its management and care.

The National Trust acknowledges its resources are scarce and so it has established the East Perth Cemeteries Appeal. Descendants and the general community are encouraged to donate funds that are then managed and applied to conservation works carried out by appropriately qualified conservators under the direct supervision and guidance of professional National Trust staff.

Grave #313 before and after conservation.

Image: National Trust of Western Australia

Monument types vary and include slate, sandstone, marble and granite and many have wrought or cast iron fencing. Some have been inappropriately repaired in the past. Different conservation methods are needed for each. Replacement of missing elements, particularly conjectural reconstruction, is generally not supported to ensure that the patina of age is retained at the Cemeteries. The addition of new memorials or plaques is not supported.

In order to best manage enquiries and to minimise the cost of conservation, we undertake pricing and works bi-annually:

Round 1
Enquiries received by 1 March will be costed by 1 April with works undertaken from 1 May.

Round 2
Enquiries received by 1 August will be costed by 1 September with works undertaken from 1 October.

All works are subject to weather and the availability of specialist conservators.

Please note that a National Trust administration and project management fee of $250 will be applied should the works proceed.

Donations to support the conservation of the landscape, St Bartholomew’s Church and the heritage values of the East Perth Cemeteries are also welcome.

All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible.

For further information or if you would like to fund the conservation of a grave or the Cemeteries in general, please contact the National Trust of Western Australia on (08) 9321 6088 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..