Day 25-28 May 16th-19th
If we had not already made our booking in Fremantle for four days, we would have stayed longer, but on the other hand we could not secure a booking in Fremantle for the previous night so ended up on Blairs property. Love surprises that take your breath away.
Leave our donation in a structure called The Hobbit, built into a mound, with doors and windows only on the front, inside is, you guessed it lime stone structure, full facilities, amenities, four beds, open fire, couches, cooking facilities, large library (lot of plane info, brother Chris & Tim would be interested), all this for your use if required.
On a sadder more reflective note, there is a Cycas Palm planted on the property, in memory of Thomas Howe, Blair & Sue’s son who died in 2008 aged 33, four children and wife Buffy. We are grateful for your part in how you contributed to your parents generosity of heart in making their home available to so many people Thomas.
We are in this region for four days, as Perth /Fremantle has much to offer. Originally established due to goldfields and in recent history the wealth is built on the mining industry. 20 billion tonnes of iron ore alone is exported from WA last year. It is also a great opportunity to catch up with Michael, Jan and family.
The Roundhouse was the first permanent building in the Swan River Colony and oldest in Western Australia. Built in 1830 (local limestone). The first of the Free Settlers came to Fremantle and this prison was built as a lock-up for them as opposed to convicts being sent to the colonies. As labour was scarce, the prisoners were allowed out during the day to help establish the colony, but had to be back for a 10pm curfew. The bell above was rang at 9.50pm signalling their return.
The larger prison est. 1886
Fremantle Port, my first sighting of Australia in June 1969 with family, before disembarking 3 days later in Melbourne. Saw the light from WA (which I realised yesterday would have been the lighthouse from Rottnest Island) hours before docking and arriving at 11pm approx. Family came ashore briefly, Noel kissed the ground (long before Pope John), bought a Mars Bar, 10 cents, and returned on board. The next day traveled into Perth City. This is my first time back since then. Too long. What a beautiful city. Was original known as the Swan River Colony, then changed it’s name to Perth, (after Perth in Scotland) in 1856.
The traditional owners of this land, the Noongar have lived here for 38,000 yrs
Port of Fremantle and The Swan River entering the sea.
Sarah and family had a similar experience in February 1970 before disembarking in Melbourne. Their family returned to live in Perth for six months later that year, but again returned to Melbourne. This is the house and street where they lived.
Time to catch up with Michael, we both went to Cheltenham High and he has lived in WA with his family since 2002. Michael played football (Soccer), which was unusual for an Australian in 1970 unless you or parents had links to the game. A huge influx of European migrants came to Australia after WWII on an assisted passage (10pounds $20). We were commonly referred to as “10 pound Poms”, which I gladly fired back, no it cost me nothing as I was under 21 years old.
Michael took me under his wings, he was the Captain of the soccer team at school, a force to be reckoned with in the defence. Michael introduced me to Moorabbin City Soccer Club which we played for and had an association with until it’s demise in 1998.
The list of people who played and were associated with the club from school is immeasurable. We were talking about how many people from school played for and contributed to the MCSC. Ian Knight, introduced Michael to MCSC, then me, brother Chris, Neil Evans, Richard Wabinski, Inga, Graham Wormell, Tony Yates, Tony Winton, Vince Carter, Sam Castellano, Paul Waite, Mick Stevic and others to name a few. Great work Ian, from little things, big things grow.
Had a wonderful evening with Michael, Jan and Jennifer (Dixie, dog). Lovely roast Michael, also a loaf of bread he made for us to take home. You are a surprise package.
Some of the lovely malls and buildings in Fremantle
Today Michael is our tour guide, and what a delightful city Perth is, the expansive Swan River, and the Canning River which joins further downstream closer to Fremantle. The Matagarup Bridge above.
Spectacular view from Kings Park, a 1000 acre park, misty early on, but clears into another warm day, 27 deg, not bad two weeks out from the official start of winter.
Winter rainfalls are quite high compared to the Eastern States, but the four months from Dec-Mar yield only 65mm. They can have five months, Nov-Mar, where temperatures can reach into the 40’s
Rhino sculpture made entirely from truck parts. Familiar Meerkats Compare the Market.com
Kings Park view. Met Graham & Lynda. The night before Trish, Declan, Sarah & myself were talking about ‘fate’ well I saw Graham who had an ‘I Pad’ with a personalised cover Manchester United, ( now if it was an Everton Cover, we would have kept walking) so me and Michael started to talk with him, he said he trained with MCSC in the early 1970’s for 3-6 mths, we had no re-collection of him, but he was good friends with Les Stirrup, Davey Maine, and George Blakey, and also confirmed the coach at the time was Don Cameron. He left with his good friend George to join Mornington SC. Graham (Olive) said he played one game under Les Stirrup’s registration. Lives in Mt Eliza, and George lives here in Rockinham WA. Now that’s fate!
A drink and food at Michael’s favourite pub. A few nights earlier Michael was on Channel 9 News commenting on a local issue regarding smoking on the foot path outside still being legal. We all saw him. Your a natural Michael.
Rottnest Island is 18klm offshore and takes 30 mins by ferry.
Rottnest is well known for its population of quokkas, a small native marsupial found in very few other locations. The island is also home to colonies of sea lions and fur seals.
The island is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people. Dutch sailors landed there on several occasions during the 17th century, by which time it was uninhabited. The island was named by Willem de Valmingh in 1696, who called it Rottenest (“Rats’ Nest Island”) after the quokka population, as he thought they were large rats. Good job he didn’t land on the mainland and saw our spiders, snakes, crocodiles & roos, what would he have said about them!
On the way home after a wonderful four days in Perth. Special thanks to Michael, Jan, Jennifer & Andrew. Thanks for everything you did for us to make it such a memorable trip. Take care, best wishes from us all.
