Margaret River Cemetery

The Margaret River Cemetery is the principal burial ground for the Margaret River district in Western Australia. It reflects the region’s early settlement history, community development, and the lives of many pioneering families, soldiers, and service personnel.

History

The Margaret River Cemetery dates from around 1920–1921, with the earliest recorded burial being W. H. Percival (Percy) Willmott in February 1920. The cemetery’s establishment coincided with the Group Settlement scheme of the early 1920s, which brought many families to the area to develop farms and small communities.

Listed on the State Heritage Inventory, the cemetery is recognised for its local historic and social significance. It contains graves of early settlers, soldier-settler families, and community members who helped shape the district. The cemetery remains a symbol of the area’s agricultural roots and enduring community spirit.

In recent years, the Shire of Augusta–Margaret River has developed long-term management and conservation plans, including a 50-year cemetery masterplan to ensure the site’s heritage and environmental values are preserved.

Special Events and Community Involvement

The cemetery and nearby memorial sites are central to ANZAC Day commemorations each year. The local RSL and community groups host dawn services and remembrance events to honour local servicemen and women.

Within the broader Augusta–Margaret River region, several pioneer plaques and memorials commemorate the early settlers who contributed to the development of the district. The cemetery plays an important role in connecting current generations with this pioneering heritage.

The Margaret River & Districts Historical Society and local volunteers maintain historical records, transcriptions, and photographic archives of headstones. Community projects have also been launched to preserve and document the stories of local veterans and pioneer families buried in the cemetery.

Notable Burials

The oldest known burial at the cemetery, Percy Willmott was an early settler and lighthouse keeper at Cape Leeuwin. He later built the historic Basildene Homestead in 1912, a local landmark now part of Margaret River’s heritage. The Willmott family remains one of the region’s best-known pioneer families.

Many graves belong to members of the Group Settlement and Soldier Settlement schemes of the 1920s–1930s. These settlers played a crucial role in establishing agriculture and infrastructure in Margaret River and surrounding districts.

Numerous veterans from World War I, World War II, and later conflicts are interred here. Their graves are honoured during annual remembrance events, and many are marked with official service plaques.

The cemetery also includes graves of early business owners, community leaders, and local families that feature prominently in the region’s recorded history.

Summary

The Margaret River Cemetery stands as a quiet testament to the lives and legacies of those who built the region. From early settlers and farming families to soldiers and community leaders, it offers a tangible connection to the district’s past and remains a cherished part of Margaret River’s cultural landscape.

Burial Records