FREMANTLE SOCIETY BLOG CHANGE

The URL of the FREO TRIBE, the blog of the FREMANTLE SOCIETY, has changed to it’s own domain:

http://fremantlesociety.org.au/blog

HOW A FEW PEOPLE SAVED FREMANTLE

What would Fremantle have looked like in 2010 if the Fremantle Society had not fought hard to preserve the heritage of the city? It could have been terrible!

If you are interested to find out how it all went, hop on one of DON’S TRAM TOURS, where former councilor and long time Fremantle Society committee member, Don Whittington wil tell you all about it. Don is a superb raconteur with a gentle cheeky smile, and insight knowledge of  Freo’s turbulent past. He’ll make you wish the tours last forever.

Join in the fun and fights of Fremantle’s history.

TOUR 1: Saturday. November 6. 4-5pm.Starts at Meeting Place. 245 South Terrace.

TOUR 2: Wednesday. November 10. 12-1 pm. Starts at Fremantle Arts Centre. 1 Finnerty Street

It’s only $ 10.00

SOCIETY MOVING FORWARD FOR FREMANTLE

As a relatively new and active member of the Fremantle Society I would like to share my ideas of what the society should be, and hope this will trigger an on-line discussion, with members of the society, the general public, and city councilors and planners.

First I like to acknowledge the passion, commitment and hard work done since 1972 by present and past members of the society. Fremantle could have been an awful place if it wasn’t for those people voluntarily taking on the custodianship of the city. They stood guard and succeeded in preserving so much of our beautiful heritage.

It has been a long time, and times have changed. We now have access to modern and very fast communication tools like the internet, where we can converse with people all over the world and in real time. No waiting for snail mail anymore. This gives us new opportunities, but also challenges, to reach a much wider audience for our ideas and passions.

The Fremantle Society has reacted to this with starting the FREMANTLE TRIBE blog, they have a FACEBOOK page, members are working on modernising and expanding the website, and there is the launch of the FREMANTLE FIGHTERS book, written by Ron and Dianne Davidson, on November 19 by Premier Colin Barnett at Deckchair Theatre.

All this indicates that this group wants to move on to become more pro-active, and change the image from being seen as negative, anti-development, and against everything. I don’t believe at all the Fremantle Society is against development, they just want sustainable and good quality, not ad hoc, ugly, fast, grab the money and run, style of buildings, some developers seem to advocate.

I believe development is essential for the vitality and future of Fremantle. The city needs an inspiration to move it into a new and exiting phase, with more and better public open spaces, like town squares, mixed, and cheaper, housing, iconic and eye-catching buildings, quality retail outlets, small wine bars, better street scapes, etc.

The East End is in desperate need of revitalisation, the Princess May area near Clancys could become a wonderful community space, the Woolstores need to be developed urgently. I’d like to see a better connection to the train station, with the bus port not hiding the beauty of it, and better direct access to Victoria Quay and the E-Shed Market, cafes, and the soon to open new ferry passenger terminal at the port, and King Square needs to become a real vibrant town square and meeting place.

I would like the society to come up with its own plans for the city, not just being reactive and put essential submissions to the council about new development. I do understand that this will be difficult to achieve for a group with very limited funds, as they would need experts to draw up plans, involve architects, etc.

But there are always solutions, and one of them could be to involve architecture and city planning university students and teaching staff. Wouldn’t it be great if they embraced the concept of assisting the Fremantle Society in helping to make Fremantle a modern, vibrant place, where students can afford the rent and enliven our streets not only during uni hours but also in the evenings, and they too become a vital part of our city, not just day time visitors.

There should also be regular forums in cafes and other meeting places like Kulcha, and the society needs to take a greater part in events that happen in Fremantle. They need to lift their public profile by being out there and amongst the rest of our community, as they did with their strong presence and hard work at the Concert for Pakistan.

I have great hopes for Fremantle. We have a very inclusive mayor in Brad Pettitt and some good young councilors. I am convinced they will work hard on making Fremantle grow in a sustainable and modern way, with great respect for our heritage, and they are aware we are all watching them closely.

Those who believe unlimited high-rise development is the way to go for Fremantle are in the wrong city. Our heritage is non negotiable and we will not compromise the beauty of it. Respect for Fremantle’s history, heritage, and unique lifestyle is the most essential ingredient for any development!

Roel Loopers

PROTECT THE KIMBERLEY RALLY

The Kimberley is one of Australia’s most amazing wilderness regions, and is home to many endangered marine species. Due to it’s isolation and inaccessibility this environment has been preserved in time, remaining almost untouched. Until now…
A major liquefied natural gas processing plant is in the advanced stages of planning for the Kimberley coast in the far north-west of Western Australia by Woodside Energy Ltd.
If this proposal goes ahead this environment will be under serious threat.

FREMANTLE SOCIETY FIGHTING FOR OUR LIFE STYLE

An inspiring meeting of the Fremantle Society’s communications committee this evening, shows that this community group will be going places! There is a great energy for change and becoming more active. If it’s happening in Freo, the society wants to be part of it, so expect a much larger public profile from them in the future.

By using modern communication tools the society hopes to attract many more members and hopefully become known as the go to group for those who want to find out about Fremantle as a unique place, with unique people, and a pretty special unique life style.

The launch of the society’s book FIGHTING FOR FREMANTLE, by W.A. Premier Colin Barnett in November will be the next public action of the society.

Don’t be Swiss and sit on the fence. Join them and participate in our mutual passion for Fremantle! Become a member of YOUR Fremantle Society. I am!

Roel Loopers

MELISSA PARKE. MP. SPEECH IN CANBERRA

I would like to share only a small part of the speech by Fremantle’s Labor MP Melissa Parke, which she gave on October 20 in the House of Representatives in Canberra:

“When we look to characterise the nature of Australia’s outlook on the world, it is hard not to be struck by our record of deep generosity and compassion in relation to events like the tsunami in
the Indian Ocean, the floods in Bangladesh and the earthquake in Haiti. That outward-looking concern for our fellow human beings, and especially for those who live in less secure or well-off circumstances than we do, is an extension of our openness and sense of fairness.

It is fitting, therefore, that I finish this speech by making mention of a fundraising concert I attended in Fremantle on Saturday. This event, titled simply ‘Concert for Pakistan’, was organised by a group of Fremantle people, from the local Oxfam group and including other community members, who recognised that the flood disaster in Pakistan had not registered as strongly on the public consciousness as the scale of the catastrophe demands. I suspect that one of the contributing reasons for its lack of profile was the federal election and its aftermath, which dominated the media and public focus at the time.
In any case, the Concert for Pakistan involved a large number of people from across the greater Fremantle community who gave their time and resources to raise money for the ongoing effort to deal with the terrible impact of the floods in that country. I was very happy to be there to introduce a couple of the bands who donated their performances on Saturday, and it always lifts the heart to be in a group of people—men, women, and children—who come together to contribute their time, money and good wishes for men, women and children who are just like them but who, by fate and circumstance, are suffering terrible privation.
I would particularly like to recognise the work of Jon Strachan, who until recently was a councillor in the City of Fremantle. He continues his longstanding efforts as an environmental and social campaigner and he certainly lives by the motto ‘Think global, act local’, or to borrow a mantra from Mahatma Gandhi ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world’. That is the principle on which I am happy to conclude my speech at the commencement of the 43rd Parliament. It is a principle that applies to some of the greatest challenges we face in Australia, and as a global
community. It applies to climate change, it applies to the finite and dwindling supply of hydrocarbons that dominate our current energy-use profile, it applies to the issue of global poverty and the insecurity and conflict that flows from desperation; and it flows from the disparity between those who have and those who have not.”

Melissa Parke MP

OLD WARRIORS WITH NEW WIG

THE FREMANTLE SOCIETY launched its new modern image at the X-Wray Cafe last evening, with a new logo, blog, website and manifesto.

Fremantle architect and counilor Andrew Sullivan talked about his vision and challenges for the city.

The cafe was packed full with around 70 people, including Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt, Greens Lynn MacLaren, and prominent architects and members of the community.

FREMANTLE SOCIETY REBIRTHING

The launch of the Rebranding of the Fremantle Society will be held at the XWray Cafe in Essex Street on Monday October 18th from 6pm.

This is a special event where we are launching the re-branding of the Society.  City of Fremantle Councillor Andrew Sullivan, Chair of the Planning and Development committee, a well-known local architect and a member of the Society for over ten years, will speak briefly on his vision for Fremantle and will answer questions.

It is a free event. Food and drinks available from the bar. Do join us and bring your friends.

RSVP to: rbelben@iinet.net.au by Friday October 15.

For Fremantle People and Places

# The Fremantle Society is a tribe of dedicated people working for a better future for Fremantle.
# The Fremantle Society, since 1972, has been improving the quality of life and working hard to protect the unique built and cultural heritage of Fremantle.
# The Society is proactive on heritage; productive for community; progressive about development; and inclusive for everyone. You can join the Freo Tribe and contribute your views and voice to Fremantle’s future.
# An exciting new era in Freo has emerged, with a greater focus on community connectivity and involvement in local issues.
# The Freo Society is responding to that change by re-branding its look and feel with a new logo, new colours and a newly developed Manifesto. Join us on the 18 October to be part of the launch of the refreshed Society and hear all about it and what is planned for the future.

Come and meet the Committee members, who will explain the Society’s new, refreshed direction, introduce you to the Freo Tribe blog and new Facebook page.

Have your say and be an active force in Freo’s future.

WATER MEDITATION

Water is one of our most precious resources, but also an inspiring subject for photographers.

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Photos copyright Roel Loopers    Profile Photography

COLOURFUL HULBERT STREET FIESTA

The Hulbert Street Sustainability Fiesta in South Fremantle was perfect relaxation on a stunning Sunday. Delightful  and colourful people created a buzz and great atmosphere in the narrow suburban street. Dancers, singers, painters, sustainable gardens and homes, yummy food and drinks, all that with plenty of music and smiling faces.

PHOTOS COPYRIGHT ROEL LOOPERS                 PROFILE PHOTOGRAPHY click on photos to enlarge