Maritime Day Out - Here’s The Gallery

As advertised, it happened.

Maritime Day 2024 filled the fabulous, heritage-listed, Fremantle Passenger Terminal and surrounds, and parts of Victoria Quay all day Saturday, 2 November.

The threat of rain soon dissipated in the morning. The sun then shone all day. And happy kids, teenagers, and older and younger folk were everywhere.

As you entered the Passenger Terminal a sense of anticipation descended on you. Perhaps ascended is a better word as you stepped onto the escalator!

Then you discovered the action. People and exhibits everywhere. Even one from the newly created Australian Submarine Agency!

And out on the balcony and below folk were admiring the marine scene and boarding and disembarking the MV Besant.

Others were arranging their harbour boat experiences.

And then the choir sang, so powerfully. Loved it.

Not to be outdone, Freo Ports CEO Jodie Ramsom held soirées out on the balcony, guarded by a Friend of the Port, volunteer Freda, drawing a steady flow of inquisitive Port visitors wanting to know more. Including the Editor of the Fremantle Shipping News.

(One of the Qs for Jodie concerned the pedestrian bridge, that used to connect Fremantle from Parry Street across the railway line to the Fremantle Passenger Terminal before the Public Transit Authority decided to dismantle it on safety grounds a while back. When will it be replaced? Jodie was asked. Not exactly the Port’s call. Seems like someone needs to get someone from the PTA to visit Freo to see what a nuisance the removal of the old pedestrian overpass is. Many folk, biggins and tots, were forced to walk all the way from E Shed way to the Passenger Terminal. Not good enough, PTA. Time for action and any idea that the bridge isn’t required is a nonsense, as we’ve said before.)

But it was hard to beat the entertainment inside the Terminal, especially when the St Pat’s Fashion Parade got into full swing under the MCing of head flak at the Port, Neil Stanbury, who has plainly missed his true vocation! Annabel snapped the catwalk action and sent us these fine photes. Thanks Annabel.

It wasn’t all happening inside the Passenger Terminal, though, there was lots happening outside too. Including The Lost Quays who had an admiring crowd foot tapping and hand clapping.

And there was the fab Australian Navy Band too. Never before have we seen everyone in a group smile so beautifully, at once, on cue. Guessing smile practice is agenda item 1 at band practice!

And then there was Patsy, who came down to Freo for the day from Kalamunda specially for the event, and her daughter Helen, who’s from just up the road from the Port in East Freo. Lovely to chat with them both. Some years ago, when she was some years younger, Patsy arrived at the Passenger Terminal from the Old Dart.

Patsy probably remembers just how the Terminal looked in those days, as some of these old photographs on display inside the Terminal reminded those of us old enough to be reminded just how some things used to be. For the younger ones, we are talking 60+ years ago.