freolongtable - The 2024 Marine Steampunk Edition

Well, the 2024 and ninth edition of the great St Pat’s/National Hotel Long Table Dinner and fundraiser to help alleviate homelessness in our community went off like a cracker on Saturday night in the Naval Store, right near the Old Traffic Bridge, in Fremantle. If you were looking for a Marine Steampunk venue, you couldn’t have chosen better than the Naval Store.

The night started in broad daylight with guests beginning to roll up around 5.30 pm, expertly shepherded down the steps to the front doors by red clad helpers, and then welcomed by gorgeous giants and a marine steampunk attired official who checked your bona fides.

Once inside the movie-like set the scene quickly captured your senses and steampunks were everwhere. Before long the Naval Store was filling right up.

Quiet Country, with Allita Wilson out front, warmed up the guests for the evening ahead.

Then it was time for Famous Sharron (‘two rs, one silent’) to take the stage to welcome the assembled multitude and introduce Dr Gerrard Shaw, who welcomed everyone to Noongar Whadjuk country.

Then the crowd sat mesmerised for a good while as the Ngalak Nidja didgeridoo and cultural dance group, led by Jayden Boundry, danced and dealt with fire. Fabulous stuff.

After all that, Dr Pat Colgan, from St Pat’s board, introduced Karl Bullers, from the National Hotel, and guests were reminded of the significance of the event: caring for the homeless in our community.

The performance soon after of The Starlight Choir, who perform regularly at the LTD, reinforced the message. They were in fine voice.

Then followed two impressively crisp and short speeches from Freo MP and Minister Simone McGurk and Freo Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge.

Musicians then returned to the stage, with the indi sound of Rocks and Rhubarb filling the venue. Loved them.

The live auction, it has to be said, then stole the show, with Gift of the Gavel auctioneer, Scott Willis, bedazzling many guests into parting big-time with their hard-earned for prizes that included an Open Air Box for 8 People to a Dockers Game in 2025.

With the auction done there was time for some serious yarning among the diners. And here they are, hard at it!

And time for more picture taking too, like this collector’s item of Steampunk Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge with her Steampunk Hunk Tim Macknay.

And also of Dr Pat Colgan being humoured by Famous Sharron soon after he learned his Pemberton holiday home had been auctioned off – well, just for a 4 night stay for 8!

In between all that guests were served a very tasty three course meal with excellent bubbles and wines. Have to say, really enjoyed the the antipasto.

Then Brass Party struck a chord and a number of notes and the night was lost in a marine steampunk haze.

This was the first undercover Long Table, rather than the usual open air setting at the likes of Walyalup Koort. It’ll be interesting to see what venue the head honchos choose for next year’s LTD. Perhaps an America’s Cup themed dinner at the Maritime Museum ot Fremantle Passenger Terminal?

Speaking of the head honchos, here are Karl Bullers (left) and Michael Piu towards the end of another successful LTD. Well done fellas. A great night.

And finally, thanks to the efficient and cheerful volunteer servers who helped make the night the success it was, and also to the chefs and their helpers behind the scenes, literally, as well as the event sponsors who made the night possible together with a multitude of other donors without whom the event wouldn’t be the event it is.