WONDERFUL LIVING IN FREMANTLE’S WEST END

I have now been living in the cottage at Arthur Head for just over a week and it is wonderful. It is the firts time for me to live in the West End of Fremantle, and it is a change I like. I always lived East of Hampton Road, first Bolton Place, then Swanbourne Street, Bellevue Terrace, Forrest Street and Mc Cleery Street. Living in the middle of the city and being able to do almost everything on foot is such a good change.

I wake up and through my bedroom window I see the lit Fremantle Ports tower, it is also the last thing I see at night, before going to sleep. I sit on the veranda and watch the activity in the harbour, the coming and going of Rottnest Island ferries, all behind the stoic figure of CY O’Connor, and listen to the sounds  of it all.

The sea breeze keeps the cottage cool, and I wander around the other cottages and discover little spots I have never noticed before. The industrial look of Slip Street with the Maritime Museum in the background looks different from up here, and so does Bathers Beach.

In the morning I walk the empty and quiet streets before sitting down at Tasty Express at B Shed for my first coffee and reading the West Australian. From there I often walk over to Henry Street to have a second Espresso at the Moore&Moore cafe.

The neighbours are lovely and we are planning regular games of boulles, bocce, petangue, lawn balls, up here on the grass around the Round House on Wednesdays around sunset, in the hope to help re-create a deeper sense of community at this end of town.

I feel pretty special that I live in such a historic, and the most beautiful part, of the city, and have joined the Fremantle Heritage Guides, so I can share my delight with tourists visiting the Round House.

Change often is like starting a whole new life. It is pretty exiting!

Roel Loopers

RUDOLF KOELMAN AND THE FREMANTLE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

RUDOLD KOELMAN AND THE FREMANTLE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Conducted by
Jessica Gethin

Violinist
Rebecca White

Brahms Tragic Overture, Mahler Adagietto, Chausson  Poème, Bach  concerto for 2 Violins, Schubert  Unfinished

Saturday 26 February Perth Town Hall 4pm
Sunday 27 February Fremantle Town Hall 4pm

Internationally renowned Dutch violinist Rudolf Koelman, one of Jascha Heifetz’s last students, won the prestigious Edison Classic Music Award for his recordings of the Paganini Concerti 1 and 2 in 2010.  He is the only violinist in the world having recorded them live!  (He is also the only violinist in the world who recorded all Paganini Capricci live.)  But it’s how Mr Koelman plays that makes it pure joy to listen: inspiring, breathtaking, stunning, thrilling, sublime… Music critic William Yeoman wrote in 2009: “sinuous and impassioned… must be heard to be believed.”

Mr Koelman will perform the deeply moving “Poème” by Chausson.  Rebecca White, FCO’s concert master, soloist and Churchill Fellowship recipient will play with him the famously beautiful Bach Double Concerto.  The talented Jessica Gethin will conduct the FCO in this feast of romantic music opening with Brahms’s Tragic Overture, followed by the lush Adagietto by Mahler made famous by the movie “Death in Venice” and concluding with Schubert’s unforgettable Unfinished Symphony.

The Supporters
FCO’s concerts are made possible by the generous support of the Fremantle Herald and Perth Voice, the City of Perth, Fremantle Ports and the City of Fremantle and all enthusiastic musicians.

Your help is needed
Could you help spread the word and invite your friends.  Thank you so much!

Tickets
Tickets are available at the door or via BOCS: all ticketing outlets, 9484 1133, (fax 9486 1711) bocsticketing.com.au; transaction fees apply.  Adults: $35, Concession $30, under 17 years: $15.

Enjoy!

Hans Hug  http://members.iinet.net.au/~hug1/fco/

ONE IINET PERSON WHO DESERVES A MEDAL

The IINET saga now seems finished, thanks to Sonal Kumar in their support group, who refused to give up on me, and kept trying to reconnect my mobile broadband.

It has taken since December 30, so that is not acceptable from that company, but Sonal deserves a medal, as far as I am concerned. His dedication, application, and professionalism make him an real asset to iiNet, so a pay rise is due, I reckon.

Thanks Sonal!

Roel Loopers

NEW AUSTRALIANS IN FREMANTLE

For me as a migrant, citisenship ceremonies will always be special. I understand the emotions of letting go of that deep sense of belonging to one’s own culture and country, and the reluctance of embracing the new. There is the commitment to being part of the decision making process, the freedom and duty to vote in elections. It is also a time to show gratitude for being allowed to live in the new country, while still getting over the culture shock, that will remain with one for many years.

I have never for one single second regretted I made the decision to become Australian in 1985, and to lose my Dutch passport.

Today I photographed our new brothers and sisters, when they committed themselves to Australia, at the Fremantle Esplanade, as they were sworn in my Mayor Brad Pettitt. Councilors Georgie Adeane, Josh Wilson, Robert Fittock, and Bob Massey where there, as were politicians Melissa Park, Lynne McLaren and Adele Carles.

Australia Day is a very special day for all the good reasons, and for all the good people who have made it this special place for all of us.

Roel Loopers

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

PHOTOS COPYRIGHT ROEL LOOPERS-PROFILE PHOTOGRAPHY

AUSTRALIA DAY THONG CHALLENGE

The Australia Day Great Thong Challenge was held again at Cottesloe Beach, with the aim to set a world record for the most floating thongs. Young and old joined in the fun and it was a colourful spectacle, but not as good as last year, when all thongs were  in the Australia flag colours, this year the thongs were white with only a small australian flag on them, and of course the sponsor’s name.

Roel Loopers

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photos COPYRIGHT Roel Loopers-Profile Photography- for sale

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY EVERYONE! It is a day to celebrate who we are, but not one where we should overestimate ourselves and believe we live in the best country in the world. It is a day to reflect what we do well, and the things we need to improve on. A day to remember that we are still putting women, children and men in detention centres for years; people who came here to enjoy freedom and a better and safe life. We need to give them that.

Today is also a day to be aware that there is still much racism in Australia, and that none of us should tolerate that and speak out when it happens. And for our Aboriginal brothers and sisters this is Invasion Day, a day that was the start of much shame for us as a nation.

Let us think, while having fun, of all those around Australia who suffered in the floods. Let us reflect on those who were beaten and killed in drunken violence, because today this will happen again, because when Australia celebrates there are many who go on drunken rampages.

I love Australia and love living here, but perfect it aint!  A small change for the national anthem: Australia let us all improve, for we are we are proud and free, ……………….

Roel Loopers

FISH&CHIPS ICECREAM AT CICERELLO’S

The Fremantle Gazette today reports that Cicerello’s in Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour, has created a Fish&Chips Icecream. I am not sure if that is with salt and vinegar, or if the fish is deep fried or barbequed, but I hope the quality and price are better value for money than the fish&chips there is.

I used to be a big fan of Cicerello’s, but they became famous, too busy and too big, and the quality dropped, so now I go over the road to Sweetlips. Not as good a setting and views, but I think better quality and better priced food.

Roel

CHOGM, NOT CHOKE THEM, MINISTER!

Western Australian Police Minister Rob Johnson has done it again and is now trying to sneak in a Stop&Search law for the international CHOGM conference in Perth later this year. It appears the Liberal government is committed to choking the life out of Perth, just because many international politicians will attend, and the liberties of the Western Australian people will be eroded.

One has to ask why expensive stop&search laws are considered, when much cheaper options are available to stop the public from lawful protests or even rubber necking. Instead of having hundreds of police on the streets for days, the state government should issue house detention for all people living in the wider Perth metropolitan area, and jam all internet, email and mobile phone communication. That way we can all have a peaceful, and less costly CHOGM. It will also make sure there will be no traffic jams in Perth.

Or if they want it really safe, do what we are best at in W.A. FIFO! Fly the whole lot of them out to a secure mine site, let them indulge in the spin speak they love so much, issue mindless media releases, and do the odd photo op, so no egos get hurt.

Just get it over with!

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE HERITAGE GUIDES

Today I signed up to become one of the FREMANTLE HERITAGE GUIDES, who are keeping watch over the old ROUND HOUSE PRISON on top of Arthur’s Head, overlooking Bather’s Beach.

I believe it will be fun to deal with tourists for a day or two each week and am looking forward to it. Already I told an Adelaide visitor today that the cannon shot fired at 1pm is sponsored by St John ambulances, who collect the people who have heart attacks from getting a shock from the noise, so more or less history will change according to Loopy.

Only kidding! I will seriously read up on the real history of the building and be truthful about the past.

Roel

CAPPUCCINO STRIP STREET CLUB

Better late than never. Due to internet problems I was unable to post these photos of last month’s Cappuccino Strip Street Club event in Fremantle’s Market Street behind Gino’s. The “urban guerrillas” were out and about and having fun. Mayor Brad Pettitt and several councilors participated with big smiles on their faces, while eating large slabs of pizza. The hoola hoops were popular with young and old, and a game of chess, a wee bit of knitting and banner painting, did not go amiss either.

This will become a regular event on each first Thursday of the month, with the next one being in Collie Street, so come and join in the fun!

Roel Loopers

This slideshow requires JavaScript.