Metropolitan Cemeteries Board

Last Sunday, we hosted our annual All Souls’ Day Catholic Mass at Karrakatta Mausoleum, a meaningful occasion where families and community members came together to honour and remember loved ones who have passed. All Souls’ Day, observed on November 2nd, is a tradition in the Catholic Church dedicated to prayer and reflection for the faithful departed. Our service is delivered in both Italian and English, embracing the cultural diversity of our community. With Father Marcellinus retiring from leading MCB services last year, we were pleased to welcome the Rev Fr Oscar Aguilera OSM, a Servite priest originally from Chile, who led the service with warmth and compassion. Fr Aguilera and the MCB wish to extend our sincere thanks to: - The readers and special ministers for their contributions, - All those who assisted with the collections and event coordination, - The St John Ambulance paramedics for their support. It was a special service that offered space for quiet reflection and connection among families and loved ones.

A final act of charity. Through our Surgical Metals Recycling Program, we ensure that metals remaining after cremation, like titanium from joint replacements, are ethically recycled via our partnership with Orthometals | innovating crecycling, ensuring they do not enter landfill or harm the environment. In 2024–25, the program recycled 5,255 kilograms of surgical metals, equivalent to approximately 18x44-gallon drums! Importantly, 100% of funds raised are donated to charity, reflecting our commitment to compassion and community care. Since 2013, this initiative has donated $3.4 million to WA charities. This year, thanks to the program's growth and increased donation capacity, we made the decision to expand the program’s recipients, inviting our staff to recommend charities they believe would benefit most from this support. This week, our CEO and team visited each organisation to personally present their donations, complete with giant cheques! While our day-to-day work often involves supporting people through grief, it was a welcome change to share some uplifting news and see the positive impact these contributions make. Each charity expressed heartfelt gratitude, and we were privileged to see firsthand the difference these contributions make. Our donations proudly supported: Cancer Council Western Australia – who received $424,809.40 This helps to continue their vital work without disruption in supporting Crawford and Milroy Lodges. These facilities ensure that regional WA cancer patients don’t have to worry about finding accommodation in Perth during their treatment, offering comfort and stability at a challenging time. Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia (RMHC WA) – who received $212,404.70 This donation will assist families with seriously ill children receiving treatment in Perth, ensuring they have a place to stay close to the Children’s Hospital. Children are tragically overrepresented in our cemeteries, and supporting families during these critical moments helps reduce the burden and improve outcomes. Lifeline WA – who received $212,404.70 These funds will be used to train approximately 25 crisis support volunteers, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to provide life-saving assistance to those reaching out in times of crisis. Beyond training, this donation will enable Lifeline WA to deliver essential wraparound support to their Crisis Supporters, including ongoing professional supervision and wellbeing services critical to sustaining their ability to respond effectively and compassionately. Our support aims to help prevent people from ending up in our cemeteries due to suicide, by ensuring timely and compassionate intervention. For more information about the Surgical Metals Recycling Program, visit, https://lnkd.in/gMsPkjeU

It’s been an incredible week for the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, with our people and programs recognised on both state and national stages. At the PASA Conference in Melbourne, Adam Blackheart proudly represented the MCB at the ‘Nigels Awards’, where we were named Most Improved Procurement Team, a testament to the dedication and progress of our Procurement team and everyone who supports their work. This recognition is a testament to our incredible team’s dedication to evolving our procurement function, from process and technology enhancements to a culture shift with a clear focus on its people as experts. The MCB received over 200 votes with the peer-reviewed award highlighting our transformation in capability, not just scale. A big thank you to Adam, the Procurement team and everyone at MCB who has contributed to this journey. This award belongs to every team member who embraced change and helped elevate our procurement capability. Closer to home, Charli Sherwood, our Youth Trainee, achieved outstanding recognition by winning Student of the Year for Workplace Industry Pathway Training Award and also received the City of Swan Commitment to Excellence Award. These are remarkable achievements that reflect Charli’s enthusiasm, professionalism, and the supportive environment our teams create for emerging talent. Charli has been part of the Student Based Trainee Program with the MCB for the past 18 months and has also been offered a 12-month contract as a Youth Trainee, working towards her Certificate III in Government. She recently took part in the Public Sector Commission’s SBT Campaign which was shared across multiple channels. Since joining the MCB, she has contributed to many MCB teams, supporting projects in a range of capacities. We’re incredibly proud to see Charli representing the MCB with such professionalism and commitment to excellence.

We're #hiring a new Human Resources Business Partner in Greater Perth Area. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We’re Hiring! The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board is seeking talented HR professionals to join our team in two key roles: Human Resources Business Partner (Level 6 - 2 positions available) and a Human Resources Coordinator (Level 3). These permanent, full-time positions, based at Karrakatta, will support our people and organisational growth across our metropolitan cemeteries, ensuring a positive and productive workplace culture. We’re looking for individuals who can provide expert HR advice, support recruitment and employee development, and help drive organisational initiatives. The successful candidates will be collaborative, organised, and proactive, with strong communication skills and a focus on building positive relationships with staff and leaders. Experience in HR systems, employee relations, or workforce planning will be highly valued. If you’re passionate about supporting employees, fostering a culture of engagement and wellbeing, and aligning with our values of compassion, integrity, and connection, we’d love to hear from you. Applications are only accepted via the Jobs WA website. Applications close Wednesday 22 October 2025 at 4pm. Visit Jobs WA or search “Metropolitan Cemeteries Board Jobs” for more information.

This week is WA Mental Health Week! Since 1967, WA Mental Health Week has been bringing WA communities together to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health and wellbeing.  This year's theme is ‘Empowering communities, thriving workforces’. At the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, we understand that a thriving workforce is one where people feel supported, especially when their work involves helping others through grief and loss. Our employees regularly work in environments where compassion and care are essential, but these experiences can also be emotionally demanding. We take staff wellbeing seriously and have several measures in place to help our team manage the emotional weight of their work: • Employees are encouraged to take time out for a walk or use our respite room if they need a moment to step away and regroup after an emotional encounter. • We provide training to front-line staff which explores grief and emotional resilience, helping our team understand how to separate their own emotions while continuing to offer compassionate, understanding service. • A confidential counselling program is available to all employees who need professional support. By looking after our people, we’re better able to care for the families and communities we serve. For tips on how to look after your own, or support others’ mental health and wellbeing, visit thinkmentalhealthwa.com.au For helplines, visit mhc.wa.gov.au/helplines In an emergency, call 000 #MentalHealthWeekWA #mhw2025

We're Hiring! We are currently looking for a Memorial Sales Consultant to join the MCB team and support families with compassion and care through our memorial services. Based at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, this permanent, full-time role also provides support across our other metropolitan cemeteries when required. We’re looking for someone with excellent customer service experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Experience with customer databases or systems, along with a talent for soft sales and relationship building, will be highly valued. If you’re passionate about helping people, find purpose in building genuine connections, and align with our values of compassion, integrity and connection, we’d love to hear from you. Applications will only be accepted via the Jobs WA website. Applications close Friday 10 October 2025 at 4pm. Visit Jobs WA or search Metropolitan Cemeteries Board Jobs for more information.

Today we welcomed Nomfundo Mcoyi and the Icebolethu Group team from South Africa to Karrakatta Cemetery. Their visit provided an opportunity to share insights into how we manage our cemeteries, including a tour of the grounds and crematorium. With the sun shining and flowers in bloom, it was a fitting backdrop for showcasing the heritage and serenity of Karrakatta. We were delighted to hear the group's warm comments on the beauty of the site. Tomorrow, the Icebolethu team will continue their visit at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, where they will see a very different type of cemetery and gain an appreciation for the distinct attributes of our sites. We thank the Icebolethu Group team for their interest and look forward to ongoing knowledge sharing.

The Norfolk Chapel at Karrakatta Cemetery is now ready to reopen following extensive restoration works after a deliberately lit fire in October 2024 caused extensive damage and forced the chapel’s closure. The Norfolk Chapel, a significant community space for funerals and memorials, has been carefully revitalised to ensure it continues to provide a dignified, comfortable, and welcoming environment for families and communities. The project has included modern upgrades to the chapel and condolence lounge while preserving the character of this much-loved facility. The official reopening was led by our Chief Executive Officer, Kathlene Oliver, at a small ceremony this afternoon ahead of services recommencing on Monday 15 September 2025. The event was attended by the Hon Dr Katrina Stratton MLC, on behalf of the Hon Hannah Beazley MLA, Minister for Local Government; members of the funeral industry; contractors, architects and suppliers who worked on the renovation; MCB Board members; and members of the media. We look forward to welcoming families and the community back to one of our largest chapels, providing a beautiful space for services and remembrance once again.

Today, despite the steady rain, families came together across Perth’s cemeteries to honour the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who are no longer with us. At Karrakatta Cemetery alone, more than 500 vehicles passed through the main entrance, a reminder of the enduring importance of these spaces in the lives of our community. Here, bright umbrellas bloomed among the headstones, creating a moving picture of colour and love against the grey sky. Rain did little to dampen the spirit of remembrance. Instead, it served as a backdrop to heartfelt moments of connection, as families gathered around graves to share stories, place flowers and reflect on cherished memories.