HERITAGE VANDALISM FOR NEW FREMANTLE POLICE COMPLEX

Well-respected Fremantle heritage architect Ralph Hoare is rightly concerned about the plans for the new Fremantle Police Complex, next to Fremantle Oval.

Ralph Hoare picked up from the plans that large sections of the heritage Convict Wall will have to be removed to create access for police vehicles.

The Convict Wall, that runs from the old synagogue to Fremantle Hospital, is made of capstone and is the most western boundary of the Convict Establishment, that includes the World Heritage listed Fremantle Prison.

It is my understanding that the State Government planners believe that putting some of the rocks of the demolished wall into metal cages, will be enough heritage interpretation of the Convict Wall. That is just a plain quick-fix ‘solution’ by lazy bureaucrats.

A better solution, if the wall can not be preserved, would be to use the capstone of the demolished parts and replace them for the topped up newer 1970s additions of the wall. That way we get much better heritage interpretation and preservation.

I wonder though; has this not been debated at the Heritage Council, that surely needs to give its OK to demolish all, or large parts of the historic wall?

Roel Loopers

DON’T FORGET TO WATCH NINGALOO/NYINGULLU

Don’t miss the second episode of the wonderful Ningaloo/Nyinggulu with author Tim Winton on ABC TV this evening.

The outstanding documentary by Fremantle’s Artemis Media is a must watch for all those of us who love that very special part of Western Australia. It is on from 8.30pm today.

For more information of the need to protect Ningaloo and Exmouth Gulf go to http://www.protectningaloo.org.au

Roel Loopers

THREE MILLION DOLLAR CONSERVATION WORK FOR FREMANTLE PRISON

Extensive conservation works on Fremantle Prison’s Commissariat, Main Cell Block and Parade Ground have been completed following a $3.16 million, 20-month program funded by the State and Federal Governments.

The Prison secured more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 stimulus funds from the Federal Government for works on the Commissariat and the Main Cell Block.

Another $1.6 million in funding from the McGowan Government was invested mainly in the conservation of the Parade Ground, with $500,000 going to the prison hospital, currently leased to The Literature Centre.

The conservation program involved restoration work and repairs to original elements of each area, access improvements, and the installation of new interpretative signage.

A universal access platform lift has been installed in the Commissariat, allowing visitors using mobility and ambulant devices to access the basement level for the first time. A compliant staircase has been installed, as well as handrails and railings on existing steps.

Within the Main Cell Block, two new universal access ramps have been installed on a key tour route with other work allowing for wheelchair access through an isolation cell and out to the solitary confinement block. Drainage and service improvements in the Parade Ground support ongoing sustainability of this significant building.

Kardan Construction, an Aboriginal business with extensive experience in the refurbishment and renovation of many challenging buildings including heritage sites, worked on the Commissariat and Parade Ground (north).

Colgan Industries delivered on conservation works for the Main Cell Block. In partnership with the Prison, Colgan Industries also provided on-site talks and demonstrations to university students on best practice heritage conservation.

Delivery of the conservation works marks the completion of the Prison’s significant projects.

Built by convicts in the 1850s and decommissioned as an operating prison in 1991, Fremantle Prison now offers a range of interpretive tours, as well as exhibitions and cultural events.

Fremantle Prison is enjoying record visitor numbers with 119,599 people visiting in the year to date, a 3.45 per cent rise compared to 2019-20 visitor numbers.

Roel Loopers

FREE OPEN DAY AT FREMANTLE PRISON

Fremantle Prison will throw open its gates next Monday 8 November to give visitors a rare chance to explore the site and its conservation achievements, free of charge.

Fremantle Prison: 30 Years Unlocked is being held to commemorate the historic venue’s decommissioning as an operating prison and highlight conservation and engagement practices by the award-winning tourist attraction and only built World Heritage site in Western Australia.

The prison was built by convict labour and replaced the Roundhouse, which was the first prison in Fremantle.

Fremantle Prison was decommissioned as an operating prison in November 1991 and opened as a tourist attraction only a few months later in January 1992.

In the 30 years since, more than 4.4 million visitors have passed through the Wray Gates to enjoy tours, movies and events at the venue.

People are invited to come along and find out more about what’s behind the Prison’s limestone walls and enjoy an afternoon of discovery and insight into its unique history and conservation achievements.

Free entry to the Prison will start at 1.00pm with a traditional smoking ceremony in the Parade Ground and visitors can explore the Main Cell Block ground floor, engage with specialist conservation and museum staff, and experience evocative retellings of prisoner and officer experiences from 1.30pm onwards.

Visit http://www.fremantleprison.com.au for more information about Fremantle Prison: 30 Years Unlocked.

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 CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OPEN

 

Fremantle Prison will be unlocked tomorrow, Tuesday January 24 from 2-6 pm to celebrate 25 years of being open to the public.

Get a FREE  sneak peek  inside the World Heritage listed old gaol that was built by convicts when the Swan River Colony became a penal colony for England in 1850.

Explore the large main cell block, check out the art exhibition and have a cold drink in the cafe.

Roel Loopers

HOW TO HAVE FUN AT FREMANTLE PRISON

 

Fremantle Prison is holding a community workshop at 6pm on Tuesday February 23 to gather ideas for new uses of the 160-year-old world heritage listed building.

They are thinking about concerts, festivals and even extreme sports, but recognise there might be better left off field ideas they could take up, so if you are keen to participate contact them on:  functions@fremantleprison.com.au or phone 9336 9205.

The building is already very popular and gets around 200,000 visitors per year. They have been holding art exhibitions and other events and the prison is now also home to a backpackers.

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE URBAN ADVENTURE TOUR

As part of ARCHITECTURE MONTH walking tour operators Two Feet & a Heartbeat are organising a Fremantle Urban Adventure Tour on Saturday 4th November

This tour winds its way through Fremantle, which is renowned for its well preserved architectural heritage, including convict built colonial era buildings and one of the most notorious prisons in the British Empire, the World Heritage Listed Fremantle Prison.

You will hear of astounding Irish prisoners escaping, comical British Bushrangers, its impact as a port during World War II and shameful expulsion of aboriginals to Rottnest Island.

Starting at the Fremantle Town Hall, this tour takes a non-traditional route through Freo discovering the factual, irreverent and anecdotal on the way to the vibrant cappuccino strip and the Roundhouse.

For bookings and information go to: http://www.twofeet.com.au/tours-booking/fremantle-urban-adventure

WARDERS’ COTTAGES DEMAND URGENT CARE

I walked through Henderson Street today and noticed that all the world heritage listed Warders’ Cottages there are now all fenced in, so what is going to happen to them. Will they be like that for many months, even years, and invite vandalism and people illegally occupying them, without any supervision?

Is the Minister for Housing, Troy Buswell, going to spend the money his department committed a few years ago to renovate the important twelve buildings, and if so, how soon will it start?

The cottages I talk about are hugging the Fremantle Markets, one of the most frequented Fremantle destinations by tourists and visitors to the city, so the status quo is not acceptable for a long period. Henderson Street carpark is also very popular and people parking there will walk by the cottages and notice their state of disrepair.

Is anyone at the City of Fremantle talking to Troy Buswell’s staff and putting pressure on, so that we don’t have the cottages looking derelict for much longer?

Interesting to note that ROA, the famous Belgian street artist, will be painting the wall of the Pine Shop opposite the cottages next week, so we’ll have a brand new public art work on one side of the street and neglected heritage cottages opposite it. Talking about priorities hey.

Roel Loopers

PORTRAITS IN PRISON

I walked up to the Fremantle Prison to have a look at the 2011 National Photo Portrait Prize, but it did not inspire me at all, in fact I am quite disappointed that there were not more creative and outstanding photos.

While there I took some photos of our World Heritage listed prison.

Roel Loopers

This slideshow requires JavaScript.