JCCA’S BRAND NEW MIA MOORNA, THE HOUSE OF SOUND, OFFICIALLY OPENED

Today, 25 August 2025, there is magic in the air with the official opening of the most spectacular place of learning any student and teacher could wish for: the world class Mia Moorna, the House of Sound at John Curtin College of the Arts.

Not even wintery grey skies together with a splattering of hail could take the sparkle off the new state-of-the-art music and science learning facilities.

One suspects JC, as students affectionately call John Curtin College of the Arts, will become the most sought-after high school ever (if that is not already the case!).

Here are a few images to give you a sense of all that might be possible.

Mia Moorna, the House of Sound boasts music rooms, STEM learning rooms, orchestra rooms, multiple performance spaces, a film studio, podcast room, recording studio and even a (Romeo &) Juliet balcony or two. Staff also have been looked after with new offices and meeting rooms – their latest challenge will be how to overcome being distracted by a view of Fremantle like no other.

At a ceremony held in Orchestra Room 2 of Mia Moorna, the House of Sound, a hopeful Welcome to Country was given by Whadjuk Noongar Elder and former JC student Freda Ogilvie. Parallels were drawn between the new facilities and a future for us all with inspiration from the first chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission Eleanor Roosevelt and her words ‘with the new day comes new strength and new thoughts’.

Education Minister Sabine Winton and Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk then officially opened Mia Moorna, the House of Sound with the help of current John Curtin College of the Arts students. All those who attended were treated to a moving piano performance by John Curtin College of the Arts Year 11 student Ché Chalmers of a piece he created in honour of his Mum and titled ‘To Mother’.

Mia Moorna, the House of Sound was designed by TRCB Architects with a nod to Fremantle’s heritage, and in particular the iconic B Shed at Victoria Quay. Shipees may recall B Shed will also soon benefit from a $30 million commitment made by the Cook Government just prior to the last State election.

Back to John Curtin College of the Arts and Mia Moorna, the House of Sound. The world-class facility marks a significant milestone for the school located on the hilltop at Walyalup. It promises an abundant future for all those involved with John Curtin College of the Arts; a future which promises creativity, innovation and connection.

Principal Travis Vladich said with this new facility ‘John Curtin College of the Arts will be a leader in education in the creative arts not just in the State but across the whole country’, and he acknowledged ‘it would make a big difference to the opportunities we can provide students’.

By Madeleine Cox

* Madeleine Cox was raised on a farm on Binjareb Noongar country and now, together with her New Zealand/Aotearoa husband, lives with her children in Fremantle/Walyalup. She loves exploring places and ideas, and connecting with people and nature. This has prompted Madeleine to start writing independently, after many years work as a corporate and government lawyer, and service on not-for-profit boards in the health and education sectors.

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