The Old Cemetery, Roebourne is located at the northern base of Mt. Welcome, in the area of the Roebourne housing village. The

cemetery is enclosed by a wire fence with barbed wire and the enclosure spans an area of 150 x 100 metres. The cemetery is in two sections, with a walkway dividing the two halves. Older graves are likely located outside the boundary of the cemetery. Headstones,

predominately made from marble or stone with concrete bases and gravesites fenced with iron are in poor condition.

This was the main cemetery for the district for over 100 years. The site of this cemetery was surveyed in the late 1860's and was located outside the town settlement.

The earliest recorded burial by the Anglican burial register was in 1875, however it is likely that there were previous burials in the area dating from 1866.

It was not until c 1878 that the cemetery was enclosed with a fence and it is likely that unmarked burials lay outside the enclosed area.

Burial records have been kept inconsistently, with few records kept prior to 1911. Evidence from the 1950's suggests that ‘outside the western fence is

the portion used a number of years ago for pagan and heathen burials.'

This cemetery reflects the life and times of the area and the headstone inscriptions give a window on events and attitudes over time. Historically

significant events are invoked through burials of people associated with the Flying Foam Massacre and the Union Bank murders. The changing social

fabric of Roebourne is evident through separate burial grounds for the Asian and Aboriginal community illustrating hierarchies of class, culture and religion.

The place reflects the growth of Roebourne and is associated with a number of industries and people such as colonial public servants, pastoralists and pearlerswho shaped the development of Roebourne.