HISTORY SOCIETY

Established 1994

The Secretary, PO Box 1305 FREMANTLE WA 6959

Winter Edition, 2019 https://fhs.org.au

Spanish flu nurses, Pneumonic Influenza Hospital, 1919. Fremantle Local History Collection 2714

PNEUMONIC INFLUENZA Dr Michelle McKeough

Between June and August one hundred years ago, Fremantle was in the grip of an influenza epidemic. The virulent ‘Spanish flu’, was already causing wide- spread devastation in Europe, and by June 1919, the number of cases in began to increase, rising to figures of nine and thirteen at a time.

Initially, the old military camp at Blackboy Hill was used as a hospital for influenza patients, and part of Fremantle Hospital was also put aside. However, the disease became wide-spread very quickly, so much so that on 13 June, the Premier received notification from the Prime Minister that ‘action will now be taken under Quarantine Act to declare State of Western Australia infected with influenza’. On 30 July, the Health Inspector’s report revealed that in Fremantle, ‘during the past fortnight 48 cases have been reported. 36 houses have been quarantined and the majority of these premises have been visited twice daily’. By 2 August the situation had become so grave that a special meeting of Council was called by the mayor ‘to consider and deal with the problem of the large increase in the number of cases suffering from influenza in Fremantle’. At the conclusion of the meeting it was resolved to create a fund for the relief of necessitous cases and for voluntary workers to do domestic work.

By 18 August, 75 cases of pneumonic influenza had been reported in Fremantle; ‘63 new premises quarantined, 253 patients in 50 premises have been supplied with food. Cases have been removed in the ambulances from Rockingham, North Fremantle, Cottesloe, and Cottesloe Beach to the Fremantle Hospital and Blackboy Hill’. As the burden on Fremantle Hospital already exceeded its capacity, and for the safety of the patients there, the Alma St School in 1

 the heart of town was established as a Pneumonic Influenza Hospital. Fortunately MEETING REPORTS for the Fremantle Council there would be no concern over funding, as ‘the whole cost of ESPLANADE PARK the carrying on of the hospital was defrayed 25 May by the Public Health Department’. Dr Michelle McKeough opened our eyes to On 1 September 1919, the Health Inspector the role the Esplanade Park has played in revealed that ‘the disease has now been key events in the history of Fremantle during raging for 11 weeks and during that period her fascinating presentation for our May 223 cases have been reported’. Birmingham meeting aptly held adjacent to the Park at also reported that there had been 58 cases the Fremantle Italian Club. reported during the previous fortnight with 14 deaths, and that ‘Alma St Pneumonic The bubonic plague was the impetus to Influenza Hospital is now full’. create the park in 1902 and it has been the location of a myriad of political and Fremantle had been through the worst of it, community activities ever since. however, and by 24 September the Alma Street hospital had closed down. This newsletter continues the theme as Heather Campbell, inspired by Michelle’s Ian Darroch’s fascinating talk at this year’s talk, follows the trials and tribulations of the AGM looked at the devastating effect this park in the local press in Treasures from epidemic had at its worst on the lives of Trove starting on pg 8. those living, working and visiting Fremantle. FREMANTLE BOYS SCHOOL  25 June COMMITTEE MEMBERS The meeting hosted by Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts (DADAA) was a Executive: great opportunity to hear an informative presentation by heritage architect Phil Allen Graham (President) 0412 933 360 Griffiths who talked about the history and Pam Harris (Secretary) 0408092100 preservation of the building which was Anne Brake (Treasurer) 0438 445 141 completed in 1855. Phil explained the changes which had occurred to the building Committee Members: over the years within the context of Fay Campbell 0419 969 678 difficulties of the cost and complexities of Cathy Hall 0407 086 300 restoring and maintaining the original fabric Heather Campbell 0408 175 246 of heritage buildings in line with the Judith Robison 0434 571 666 requirements of the Burra Charter. Stewart Alger (ex officio) 9432 9592 Phil’s presentation was followed by a presentation by Ricky Arnold, Director of Ordinary meetings are generally held on the Development of DADDA at the Fremantle 4th Tuesday (or Sunday) of the month. Hub. Ricky outlined the ways in which the Details of these meetings can be found in building was being adapted within the your newsletter. guidelines discussed by Phil to ensure access for people with disabilities. Ricky Be sure to check details as meeting days then gave the group a tour of the building and times may vary. showing the extensive renovations which will include a café, music and visual arts 2 studios as well as a gallery which will be We are also looking for additional members open to the public. It is an amazing example of the committee. It’s not an onerous burden of adaptive reuse of a heritage building. when the load is shared so if you would like Thanks to Phil Griffiths and Ricky Arnold for to be part of the team we would love to hear providing an enjoyable and informative from you. Contact Allen or one of the other evening. members of the committee.

The group also enjoyed the usual delicious This year’s AGM was followed by a supper and some wonderful music from one fascinating talk by Ian Darroch on the of the musical groups who practice and Pneumonic Influenza, also known as the perform in the building. Spanish Flu, epidemic of the early 1900s. Ian’s thorough research provided a very For further information see detailed examination of the cause and effect https://www.dadaa.org.au of the epidemic and created a context for what happened here in Fremantle and the role of the Woodman Point Quarantine Station and those that worked there.



COMING EVENTS

PUB LUNCH – THE LOCAL Sunday, 25 August

Join members and friends at our ever popular August Pub Lunch.

This year we are heading down South Terrace to The Local – some of you will know it as the Seaview. Built in 1897, it is one of WA’s oldest hotels and was typical of Members enjoyed learning about the great plans the suburban corner pub. While there has ahead for DADAA and the Old Boy’s School. been work done to modernise the back of (Pam Harris) the hotel, the façade and the corner bar, with its cathedral like windows, maintain the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING feel of the old pub. 23 July And for Dockers fans (and who isn’t?), the The President’s Report from this year’s place is now owned by Matthew Pavlich and AGM is included in this newsletter and Paul Hasleby! outlines what an active Society we are. It’s your support that encourages the committee As well as some great pub grub there will be to continue its hard work .Thank you. a talk about the history of this fine example of the golden age of hotels. Membership fees are an important component as is the active meetings Sunday 25 August from 12 midday at 282 program and we are encouraged by the South Terrace. It would be good to give the healthy turn out at most meetings. That said, pub an idea of numbers so please RSVP to if we haven’t seen you for a while why not [email protected] by Thursday 22 come along to one of the upcoming August. meetings.

3

FREMANTLE PRISON the position at our 2018 Annual General PROTEST AND UNREST EXHIBITION Meeting, albeit, I was in Switzerland at the Tuesday, 24 September time of that meeting. ‘No’, I wasn’t hoodwinked into taking on the position as I Join the Fremantle History Society for our had been Vice President the previous year September general meeting at Fremantle and knowing that Bob Reece, our long Prison. standing member and immediate past President was standing down from the Olimpia Cullity, Curator at , position, I was very pleased to accept the will present a talk on the development of the nomination as President for 2018/19. exhibition and the history behind protests and unrest at the prison over the years culminating in the riot and fire in 1988 which Consequently, I am not able to give a first led to the prison’s closure in 1991. hand account of that AGM, but it was reported in the Winter Newsletter of 2018 The event will be held on Tuesday 24th that the meeting was attended by 20 September 2019 at 6 pm at Fremantle members and guests at which “the Prison. formalities were followed by a fascinating talk by Fiona Hook whose company, Archae-Aus, undertook the archaeological FREMANTLE STUDIES DAY digs in Kings Square and Newman Court Sunday, 27 October associated with the redevelopment of the Council buildings.” The focus of this year’s Studies Day will be Labour History. Industrial strife is not new to The most important item of business for our Fremantle and makes fascinating listening. AGM is always the election of the new Committee and so the Committee for Four papers are scheduled for presentation 2018/2019 was: including a paper on Industrial history presented by Cate Pattison, the Society’s Executive: most recent scholarship recipient. Bobbie President - Allen Graham Oliver will present on the Patrick Strike Vice President – unfilled 1998, Charlie Fox will speak on Chinese Secretary – Pam Harris Seamen in Fremantle and Paul Reilly will Treasurer – Anne Brake speak on Activism in 1930s Fremantle. Committee members: The venue for the Studies Day will, most Fay Campbell appropriately, be the Maritime Union Bob Reece – resigned mid term from headquarters in North Fremantle. Committee Cathy Hall As well as our fabulous papers, Volume 10 Michelle McKeough of Fremantle Studies will also be launched. Jennifer Dudley – resigned mid term from It’s going to be a great afternoon. Don’t Committee forget to put it in your diary now. With only eight people appointed to the More details will be circulated soon. Committee, and with the mid term resignations, the Committee throughout the  year always had a couple of vacancies and so it was a pleasure to later welcome PRESIDENT’S REPORT Heather Campbell and Judith Robison to the Committee. And more recently Stewart This is my first report as the President of the Alger of the Fremantle History Collection Fremantle History Society, having assumed has joined the Committee in his role as the 4

City of Fremantle’s Local History The Society later made a contribution of Engagement Officer. Stewart was appointed $50.00 to the Flying Angel Club for hosting to this position to take over a job share us that night. opportunity with Lucy Hair on the retirement of Pam Harris, our respected member who September – This event was a Sunday worked professionally as the City of afternoon event at the Fremantle Art Centre Fremantle’s Local History Librarian. Lucy where our members had the opportunity to has since resigned and Stewart is now view the Being There – Kathleen O’Connor working in a full time capacity so it is timely in Paris art exhibition, as well as hearing to thank Pam, Lucy and Stewart and the from Andre Lipscombe, the collection’s library staff for the curator, tell of both the history of Kathleen assistance and support they have provided and the collection itself. to the Society over the past twelve months and we look forward to that continuing October – Fremantle Studies Day. This is support over the next twelve months. the premier event on our calendar and this year it was held on Sunday, 28 October at Our current Committee is a mix of both long the City of Fremantle Library Theatre. The serving and newly appointed committee theme for the papers was Fremantle during members, so as a new President it has been World War 1 and Fremantle Oval was my pleasure to work with those experienced chosen as the venue because that is where members, as well as appreciating the the first troops were welcomed back on contribution of our new Committee return from the War. As President, I believe members, so a big ‘thank you’ to all of those the day was a great success with a good who have served on the Committee number of people in attendance and throughout 2018/2019. supported by a quality program of papers and presenters. The program was as Committee Meetings follows: The Committee meets once a month and while they had usually been held a fortnight Dr Leigh Straw: The Suffering Begins: preceding the Society’s General Meeting, it Returned Soldiers, families and the was not such a hard and fast rule in 2018- aftermath of World War 1 in Western 2019 due to the changes in committee Australia membership. Thus, meetings were held at Allen Graham: The Fremantle hotel trade various times in the month and the monthly during World War One meeting calendar for 2019/20 is something Baden Pratt: Hell for Leather: North that will have to be set by the incoming Fremantle Football club and the Great War Committee. Our meetings throughout Dr Michelle McKeough: Repatriation: A debt 2018/19 were held in the Amenities Room of of Gratitude the Temporary Library Building, aka The Dockers Building. We appreciate the City of November – Our November meeting always Fremantle’s goodwill in allowing us to use doubles up as our Christmas wind up so a that room and we hope that we can continue very convivial afternoon was held at the to use it over the next twelve months. Fremantle Army Museum. Firstly, to view their exhibits, followed by some Christmas General Meetings cheer in the Officer’s Mess. Again, another The Committee continued to find interesting very successful afternoon. places and or/events for their general meetings as the following list shows: February – Our 2019 program started with an outdoor twilight event at the Fremantle August – Held at the Flying Angel Club and . This was a presentation hosted by Reverend Claughton who told of given by Carmelo Amalfi the publisher of the history and role of the Flying Angel Club. Freo Streetwise. In 2018 Carmelo had 5 produced a moving commemorative booklet current tenants of the old school. On the to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the night there were two speakers with Phil unveiling of Monument Hill and the 100th Griffiths being the first speaker. Phil is a anniversary of the end of WW1 and so this heritage architect who has extensive was an opportunity to learn more about this experience working on the old building and iconic Fremantle memorial. The Society he detailed the history and how the old being one of the sponsors who had building evolved when it was being used as supported the publication of the a school. Ricky, was our second speaker commemorative booklet. who outlined what DADAA’s plans were for the building over the next twenty years of its March – The March meeting was back on lease. Ricky then showed us through the ‘home ground’ at the Library when Linda building, allowing us to see some of the Bettaney was our guest speaker. This was renovations that are being made to it. These not a history lecture in the conventional are very exciting changes and when sense as Linda, a Western Australian writer, completed the sensitively transformed is a fiction writer who uses the history of the building will be a big fillip to that part of state as a backdrop to her stories. Fremantle.

April – This meeting was a premier event on So you can see that we had a very our calendar at which the Mayor, Dr Brad successful program throughout 2018/2019 Petit was our guest speaker. His talk was and we look forward to matching that promoted as Planning for the future; program in 2019/20. These events don’t remembering the past and it was an happen without the hard work of our opportunity for the Mayor to outline his committee and other members who help vision for the City of Fremantle and the with catering, cleaning up, following up with place of heritage within it. This event was suggested venues and speakers, etc, so the Society’s contribution to Fremantle’s and once again, a big ‘thank you’ to all those the National Trust’s Australian Heritage members who helped with those events Festival. The event was well supported and throughout the year. However, I have to pay the lecture well appreciated by everybody a special thanks to the catering team of Fay who attended. Campbell, Kristy McNulty and Tania Heyne who have done an exceptional job at our May – This was a Saturday afternoon functions this year. meeting held at the Italian Club at which the guest speaker was our own member, And of course, a ‘thank you’ to all our Michelle Morrison, who using her extensive members who have attended these knowledge of the Esplanade Reserve, gave meetings as there is nothing that gives the a lecture titled The Esplanade Park; A Committee more satisfaction than to see a Community creation. Today, the Esplanade good roll up of members and guests at Reserve is one of Fremantle’s major tourist these events. attractions but in its formative years it wasn’t always attractive and as healthy as it is Fremantle History Society Scholarship today, so it was great to learn more of the Since 2015 the Society has offered a history of the reserve during those first three scholarship to the value of $2,000.00 to any decades of the 20th century. amateur historian to research and write an essay on some aspect of Fremantle’s June – Another meeting that was held on history. Since its inception three location, this time at the old Fremantle Boys’ scholarships have been awarded and this School. This meeting opportunity was year the scholarship was presented to Cate provided to us by Ricky Arnold, the Director Pattison who is undertaking research on the of DADDA, (Disability in the Arts old State Engineering Works in North Disadvantages in the Arts), who are the Fremantle. Cate was announced as the 6 recipient of the Scholarship at our last won’t list their names again, but they have Studies day and she will present her paper all been acknowledged in this report. And a at this year’s Studies Day and her essay will similar ‘thanks’ is also passed on to the be published in a later edition of the Flying Angel Club, the Fremantle Arts Society’s journal Fremantle Studies. Centre, Fremantle Army Museum, Fremantle War Memorial, Fremantle Italian Fremantle Studies Journal Club and DADAA for playing host to us The Society published its first journal in during the year. With my final thanks going 1999 and it is now a mainstream activity of to the City of Fremantle for providing us with the Society. It is a biennial publication and a regular committee meeting room and for we expect to launch what will be our 10th the use of the library lecture theatre when edition of the journal at this year’s studies needed. day. It is quite costly to publish this Journal and so it is with pleasure that I can So I bring this report to an end and I look announce that we have been awarded a forward to an equally successful 2019/20. City of Fremantle Community grant of $3,825 to go towards the publication of the Allen Graham journal. President

Newsletter  Another key activity of the Society is the publication of our newsletter. The Society is LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION committed to publishing four newsletters a Stewart Alger year and the key person responsible for this The City of Fremantle was delighted to be task over the past twelve months has been invited to be part of the celebration for the our stalwart member Anne Brake. The upcoming 60th anniversary of Sullivan Hall newsletter is always a good read with a this August. The Sullivan Hall is a good mix of society news and articles on community hall situated on Nannine Street Fremantle’s history so a ‘big thanks’ to Anne in White Gum Valley. It was built by the local and to Heather Campbell, Michelle Morrison community in October 1959, for the and Pam Harris for the assistance they have community and has largely been maintained given to Anne in getting the newsletter out. by community volunteers for the entirety of its 60-year existence. Deckchair Theatre Archives. Since 2016 the Society has worked in The Hall is named after local man Jim conjunction with the State Library to archive Sullivan as a thank you for the part he and the trove of material that was retained as his family played in its construction - it is memorabilia when the theatre group wound believed that the main frame was reused up in October 2012. This project has been a from the parts of an army shed. In its history labour of love for some of our members, it has been predominantly used by a local notably Pam Harris and Cathy Hall while square-dancing group, the Girl Guides and Kristy McNulty and Tania Heyne have also Brownies, however it has also been the provided invaluable assistance and I am told venue for fancy dress balls and a that the finish line is in sight. community game of "Beetles". Final thanks The building has had its existence During the course of this report I have threatened a few times - for example it recorded where we met and who were the sustained some damage after an out of presenters at our general meetings, so it control 21st birthday party that turned out to would be remiss of me if I didn’t record my be an open house heavy metal party - thanks to all those people who found the time to tell us more of Fremantle’s history. I 7 however the community has stood strong in the Fremantle Esplanade, and the work is its protection and restoration of it. now in hand …

If you are interested in learning of the Daily News, 24 Sept 1903, p.3 – Sullivan Hall history, come to its 60th FREMANTLE ESPLANADE Anniversary celebration on Sunday August 11th, where there will be a telling of its … a big public meeting is to be held in the history and photographs of it over time. Or if Fremantle Town Hall on Friday next, under you have any memories or photos of the the presidency of his Workshop the Mayor Hall that you would like to share, please … to discuss the present disgusting and contact Brian Smith by Friday August 2nd unhealthy state of the Esplanade, owing to on 0419 191 432 or its unfinished state. The meeting will be [email protected] addressed by a number of prominent citizens, and a resolution urging upon the If you have any historical enquiries about Government the urgency of at once Fremantle’s heritage please feel welcome to attending to the matter, will be moved. … contact the Fremantle History Centre. Our Instead of bright, healthy, pleasure resort, email address is: there is but a mile or two of ugly and [email protected] unsavoury rubbish tips. The work that has or phone: 08 9432 9592. so far been accomplished, has been performed in a half-hearted manner, and  because of the fact that the Esplanade is unfit to stroll along, Fremantleites have to TREASURES FROM TROVE content themselves with stumbling along the quay. … Heather Campbell continues her romp through the National Library’s online Fremantle Mail, 7 Jan 1904, p 3 – resource, Trove. FREMANTLE ESPLANADE: DANGERS OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC THE ESPLANADE – the formative years – trees, picket fences, bandstands and free When the reclamation works on the speech Fremantle Esplanade are finished, and the pool is filled with sand, what then? Will the Fremantle Esplanade was created from land Government consider their task is ended, reclaimed from South Bay, opposite the and that the parade can be left to take care Esplanade Hotel, in the early 1900s. It of itself? …. The laying down of the innocent features regularly in newspapers thereafter: looking railway line to Robb’s Jetty marred the Esplanade as a beauty spot, but not too The Inquirer and Commercial News, 8 May many trains per diem at present traverse it. 1896, p 1 When, however, the line is carried to Jandakot, and later on, connected with the Tenders for the construction of the much south-western line, then the volume of traffic talked of Fremantle Esplanade were passing along the Esplanade will grow received yesterday, that of Mr. W. J. Innes appreciably, and become more or less a being the lowest received for the source of public danger. … reclamation works. … The Mail, 26 Oct 1904, p4 – FREMANTLE Daily News, 14 July 1902, p 3 - ESPLANADE: ARE THE WORKERS FREMANTLE ESPLANADE MARRIED

A sum of £4,500 was provided [by the State It does not, on the face of it, strike one as Government] some time ago for extending necessary that a man engaged in to plant 8 couch grass on the Esplanade should be when the gates at the entrance to the same married. It was, however, decided by the are shut. (3) No person shall play any Fremantle Council some time since that games on the Fremantle Esplanade men engaged in municipal work should, as Reserve without the written consent of the far as possible, be ratepayers and married. Town Clerk. (4) Every person committing an At the meeting of the council last night, Cr. offence against the provisions of this by-law Fearn inquired whether all the men engaged shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay a sum were getting 8s per day. He referred to the not exceeding £10. decision of the council just mentioned and asserted that he had seen youths working West Australian, 4 Aug 1906, p 11 alongside men, while married men were walking the streets doing nothing. After … Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Despeissis, of some discussion, it was decided not to pass the Agricultural Department, had a any formal resolution on the subject, but to conference at Fremantle with the members impress upon the officers the necessity of of the local Municipal Council, on the subject acting in compliance with the desire of the of tree planting. The reclaimed land of the council. Esplanade is about to be converted into a beauty spot, which will doubtless become a West Australian, 28 Feb 1906, p 6 – popular resort in the summer months. The FREMANTLE ESPLANADE Council have already planted the area with couch grass, and erected an ornate Improvements. The work of erecting the bandstand, and it is now proposed to bandstand on the reclaimed portion of the Fremantle Esplanade, entrusted to Mr. J. McNeece, architect, is nearing completion. The Commissioner of Railways (Mr. George) has already let a contract for the erection of a standard picket fence, to separate the Jandakot Railway and the reserve. When the fence is finished, the Council will proceed with the formation of the necessary footpaths in the reserve, the planting of trees, the erection of Strolling crowds at the Esplanade Fremantle with the turnstiles, etc. It is the intention of the bandstand in the background, 1906 Council to make the Esplanade a favourite Fremantle Local History Collection 698 resort during the summer months. expend a sum of £300 in tree-planting and West Australian, 7 June 1906, p 2 providing seats. The trees which Mr. Despeissis yesterday advised the Council to Parks and Ovals. On the recommendation of plant were the Norfolk Island pine, Aleppo the parks and ovals committee, a new by- pine, Maritime pine, tamarisks (in clumps), law was adopted, providing (1) No person robinia, New Zealand pyramid trees, shall climb upon or over any portion of the Moreton Bay figs, and pampas grass (in fences, pillars, gates, or walls of the clumps) … and also … Pinus Marocapa for bandstand on the Fremantle Esplanade hedge purposes. Some 50 garden seats will Reserve. (2) No person shall go upon or be distributed about the gardens, in the remain upon any portion of the bandstand laying out of which the advice of Mr. D. on the Fremantle Esplanade Reserve when Feakes, Curator of the Government the said bandstand is closed; and the said Gardens, is to be sought. It is proposed to bandstand shall be deemed to be closed make an immediate start with the work. 9

West Australian, 22 Oct 1906, p 5 that officer said he would welcome the abolition of the fence. Will the council please The Fremantle Trades Hall Band rendered a note? programme, of music on the Fremantle Esplanade yesterday afternoon. These Sunday Times, 13 Feb 1916, p 15 - PORT concerts are becoming very popular, and PARAGRAPHS the attendances are increasing considerably. The band has made great Following on the plan adopted in progress during the past few months. some time ago, the local council is having the greater part of the fence removed from West Australian, 15 May 1909, p 12 our Esplanade. Of late this pretty little resort has been an all too popular resort of loafers The Fremantle City Band will play sacred and "sleeping-it-off drunks," who used to music on the Fremantle Esplanade to- repose undisturbed in the shelter of the morrow afternoon, commencing at half-past pickets, and it is felt that the removal of the 3. fence where it faces the street, while making the reserve more picturesque and Sunday Times, 28 June 1914, p 15 – uncramped, will afford less shelter for the CAUSTIC COMMENTS - ON AFFAIRS AT undesirables who used to make a sort of FREMANTLE retreat of the place. The reserve is also to be properly lighted up, I understand, and In most parts of the world fences these summer evenings it should be a surrounding public reserves have been pleasant resort for Portonians desirous of abolished. In Fremantle however, the main enjoying the evening air by the water. … spot of recreation and relaxation, known as the Esplanade, is still hidden from the view Daily News, 22 April 1916, p 11 – of the street by a big picket fence that is FREMANTLE ESPLANADE – (To the neither ornamental nor useful. The idea of Editor) fenceless parks is the best one, affording as it does a greater opportunity to the Sir, - I must harp again about that horrid authorities for keeping the reserve under fence around the Fremantle Esplanade. Last control and free from pests that are a Sunday afternoon a Scouts boy guarded nuisance and a menace. … The writer twenty-eight (28) large empty beer bottles, discussed the matter with Inspector another heap ay nearby, while yet two other Sellenger, the head of the Port police, and boys went around collecting more. … This is not hearsay, but what I saw. The gag that is in circulation about straying cattle is absurd, as the council have by-laws to deal with these nuisances. What I want to ask is, when can respectable residents have the use of the lovely little park? … Can any of your readers imagine what glorious opportunities the Fremantle Council is providing to those who are evil and evilly-inclined by their present attitude about the fence? Empty beer bottles may speak of other vices than strong drink. Surely I need not add more to View of Esplanade Hotel and the Esplanade’s picket this. … Wake up Town Councillors! – Yours, fence, c. 1905. Fremantle Library Image No. 4497 etc., NORTH POLE

10

Albany Advertiser, 13 Sept 1919, p 3 – THE The white elephant on the Fremantle FREMANTLE ESPLANADE Esplanade, formerly used as a bandstand, is UNAUTHRISED SPEECH to have its life prolonged by renovation. To remove the structure to the oval would cost Fremantle, Thursday. Walter Leonard more than it is worth; so it will remain where Jones, the member for Fremantle in the it stands, more ornamental than useful. … Legislative Assembly, was today fined £5 for speaking on the Esplanade without the Fremantle Advocate, 10 June 1927, p 1 sanction of the Municipal Council.Westralian Worker, 10 Oct 1919, p 5 – Fremantle The tender of J. Bassett for the removal of Fragments (By Militant) the bandstand at the Esplanade was accepted. … A letter was received from ex- ESPLANADE MEETINGS ALLOWABLE Councillor Keegan protesting against the demolition of the stand … alleging that it The fight for freedom of speech, which has would not cost anything like what the been carried on in Fremantle for the past engineer estimated to repair it. The Council, seven or eight months, has culminated in a however, refused to be impressed and the victory so far as the A.L.P. is concerned. On bandstand goes. Monday an application was made to the municipal council for the permission to The stage was set for the Esplanade we speak, and peculiarly enough, nearly the know so well today. whole of the councillors turned a complete somersault and voted for permission being  granted. It is a notable fact that on a previous occasion when an application was RWAHS NEWS made, there was only Cr Daly who voted for permission being granted. However, we are Many of you may not be aware the Society pleased at the decision, and it only goes to is an affiliated member of the Royal Western demonstrate that when members of the rank Australian Historical Society. T and file of the Labor Movement make a just demand, they expect it to be conceded. It is Every year they have an Affiliated Societies only necessary to show a united front to the conference. This year it is to be hosted by authorities to eventually win out. The result the City of South Perth Historical Society of the Council’s decisions on Monday night with the theme Between Two Rivers. It will makes the Fremantle Esplanade free for be held from 6 – 8 September. public meetings and Free Speech, and this decision brings Fremantle into line with all For more information go to other parts of the Commonwealth where www.histwest.org.au freedom of speech is enjoyed in the public parks. … No drastic reform leading to the  goal of Democracy has ever been won without a great deal of sacrifice having been FOR YOUR DIARY made. … The Fremantle Esplanade, now it is free for all public meetings, will prove a Sunday 25 August, 12 midday. Pub lunch very useful place where the ideals of the at The Local (the Seaview). 282 South Labor Movement can be preached, and the Terrace. seed sown; for a sure and certain harvest. Tuesday 24 September, 6.00pm. Protest … and Unrest Exhibition. Fremantle Prison Sunday 27 October, 1.00pm. Fremantle Sunday Times, 24 Oct 1926, p 7 CAUSTIC Studies Day, Maritime Union headquarters, COMMENTS: On Affairs at Fremantle Nth Fremantle.

11