ESCAPE TO FREMANTLE PRISON!

 

 

Fremantle Prison has opened it razor wire gates again, so go there for a great escape from all the Covid-19 worries.

The history and stories of the prison are huge, there is so much to learn and also enjoy, so take the kids for a visit there soon!

Hear about the convict stories, the Fenians and their escape on the Catalpa, and many many more fascinating insides into Fremantle’s history.

Roel Loopers

WA GOVERNMENT DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT

 

It is unacceptable that the WA State Government neglects Fremantle’s significant heritage, which is a huge tourist attraction for the port city and WA.

World heritage listed Fremantle Prison needs more than $ 13 million to do conservation work as the roofs of several cells have collapsed, but all it will be getting from the State Government is $ 3.5 million and that is not good enough!

The Fremantle Roundhouse, and Arthur’s Head on which it is built, need stabilisation works worth $ 1.8 million but so far the State Government has shrugged their shoulders as if it is of no great concern to them.

The WA Labor government spend millions, if not billions, on getting sport stars and rugby and soccer clubs to Perth to help increase tourist numbers, but two of the state’s major and most significant tourist attractions get F… All from our government.

We have millions to spend on a Quokka Birthday Party on Rottnest Island but let the state’s oldest public building the Roundhouse and it surroundings just fall apart and rot away.

Demolition by neglect is unlawful in Western Australia, so who is going to prosecute the State Government?

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE PRISON SEEKS HERITAGE INTERPRETATION OFFICER

 

 

This sounds like a great job for the right person. Fremantle Prison is looking for a HERITAGE INTERPRETATION OFFICER. It is a PSGOGA 5 level job that pays between $ 87,047-$95,995 p.a.

The director of Fremantle Prison, Paula Nelson, is a can do, visionary, and delightful person with lots of ideas and she will be fantastic to be working with.

Join one of WA’s most innovative and forward-thinking agencies and be part of something rewarding and exciting. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) is responsible for planning and managing land and heritage for all West Australians – now and into the future.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual for the Heritage Interpretation Officer role within the Heritage and Property Services Division. In this role, you will be responsible for contributing to the understanding of the cultural, national and international significance of Fremantle Prison. You will review and develop heritage interpretation programs such as tours, signage, training and educational programs to a diverse audience including international visitors, students, special interest groups and the general public.

This position is based at Fremantle Prison and is a permanent and full-time position; however, consideration may be given to applicants seeking part-time opportunities. Suitable applicants may be considered for appointment to similar (permanent, fixed term, full-time or part-time) vacancies for a period of twelve (12) months from the initial date of the appointment.

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate;

• Your ability to evaluate, develop and deliver high quality content and material for entertaining and educational visitor experiences, training and programs for a diverse audience including international visitors, students, special interest groups and the general public
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with the ability to develop and maintain networks with internal and external stakeholders
• Extensive experience in the cultural heritage sector and an understanding of heritage interpretation and conservation

If you would like to know more, please give Paula Nelson, Director, Fremantle Prison a call on (08) 9336 9213 to discuss the role in further detail.

 

Roel Loopers

BRILLIANT NEW CATALPA RESCUE BOOK

 

 

I highly recommend the just released new book The Catalpa Rescue by famous Australian author Peter FitzSimons.

The very well written and easy to read book is about the historic escape from Fremantle Prison by Irish convicts, who took horse&cart to Rockingham where they boarded the whaling boat Catalpa that had been sent from the USA.

But the book is much more that only the escape, as it also explains The Rising, the rise of the Irish Brotherhood in Ireland and its USA equivalent the Fenian Brotherhood.

I love history and knew very little about the Irish uprising against the English and can’t wait to continue with the book, which I have only read the first 50 pages of so far. I am mesmerised already.

Go and buy it for $ 35.00 at New Edition in High Street! It is well worth it.

The story of the Fenians is also told at Fremantle Prison, so take the kids there!

Roel Loopers

NEW BOOK ABOUT FREMANTLE PRISON’S GREAT CATALPA ESCAPE

 

 

Famous Australian author Peter FitzSimons has written a new book and it is about the intriguing escape from Fremantle Prison by six Fenian prisoners in 1876.

The Catalpa Rescue tells the story of Fenians in the USA collecting money to buy the whaling boat Catalpa that then sailed to Rockingham to pick up the escapees. There is a great Wild Geese artwork on the Rockingham foreshore about it.

The book will be released on April 23, so make sure to get a copy as this is one of Freo’s great historic stories.

Roel Loopers

AUSTRALIAN CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS IGNORE WA’S OLDEST PUBLIC BUILDING

 

 

I just became aware of a new website Cultural Attractions of Australia and of course wanted to find out what this site is all about and how well it promotes Western Australia and Perth, and especially Fremantle.

When I clicked on Perth only two attractions appeared, the Fremantle Prison and the Maritime Museum, no other historic and cultural attractions in Perth or Freo, such as WA’s oldest public building the Roundhouse popped up, so that is not actually giving comprehensive information to all those around the world who are interested.

But it became more clear what the site is all about when I Googled it:

Cultural Attractions of Australia will provide a single point of contact for travellers, trade partners and media to access premium, behind-the-scenes cultural experiences in iconic locations. As a collective, its strength lies in the diversity and iconic nature of the sites and collections represented, as well as the direct connection they hold with the people and cultures of Australia.

The founding members of Cultural Attractions of Australia are: Adelaide Oval, Arts Centre Melbourne, Australian War Memorial, WA Maritime Museum, Fremantle Prison, Melbourne Cricket Ground, MONA, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Opera Australia, Parliament House, Port Arthur Historic Site, Qantas Founders Museum Longreach, Sovereign Hill and Sydney Opera House.

It is just plain self-promotion of certain cultural attractions and is not at all as inclusive as what the name lets us to believe. Very disappointing!

Roel Loopers

SPOOKY GHOSTS AT FREMANTLE PRISON

 

 

Genrefonix is back in Fremante with another amazing show in February, after four sold-out Frankestone shows in the Roundhouse late last year.

Ghosts is back at Fremantle Prison on February 9 after sellout Fringe shows in 2018.

Join the outstanding actors and musicians in the atmospheric Fremantle Prison Theatre for a fictional multimedia show featuring original horror music and soundscapes. All performed live alongside compelling imagery of Fremantle’s architecture and its ghosts.

See some of WA’s most haunted buildings brought to life through emotive tunes, eerie sound effects and imaginative ghost portraits.

The original theatre screen used for prisoners will fire up once again, bringing history and imagination to life. Each ghost has a story, each building a unique ambiance. Share in the power and passion of the supernatural landscape of Fremantle. Spooky fun! Rockin’ tunes!

There are three shows on February 9, at 7pm, 8.15pm and 9.30pm so don’t miss out!

Tickets can be booked on the Fringeworld website.

Roel Loopers

CONVICTS WALKING TO FREMANTLE PRISON ART

 

 

A new artwork of cut-out figures of convicts and prison wardens walking up to Fremantle Prison has been installed along the wall of Fremantle Oval.

It looks great, so go and have a look at it, and also at the prison entry building lit up in different colours at night. The kids will love it!

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE PRISON LIGHTS UP AT NIGHT

 

 

Christmas has started early at Fremantle Prison with the old entrance building now all lit up in different colours at night. It looks great!

Thank you to Ivan Dzeba from Benny’s bar&cafe for making me aware of it!

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE PRISON WINS MORE AWARDS!

 

 

Congratulations to FREMANTLE PRISON, for being inducted into the Hall of Fame, winning GOLD in the Cultural Tourism category and SILVER in the Major Tourism Attractions category at the 2018 Tourism Awards.

Well done to all the hardworking staff!

Roel Loopers