And the Winning Name in The Fremantle Shipping News Bridge Naming Competition is … 'Wally’

On Sunday 18 October, we launched The Great Fremantle Bridge Naming Contest before the WA Government announced the official name of the new traffic and shared path bridge, and what an enormous response we’ve had. We held back on suggesting our preferred name options but did suggest The Goalposts or The Washing Line as possible nicknames. Here are the email and Facebook page submissions that poured in as of last week! Your Ed and The Gang of Four editorial advisers have now considered and deliberated on the preferred name and nickname and here’s their verdicts: ‘Walyalup Bridge’, and ‘Wally’.

It’s not often a bunch of Freo folk agree with ideas emanating from government.

But when it came to choosing a preferred name for the new bridge, our Editor, Michael Barker, and his Gang of Four editorial advisers (in alphabetical order): Glen Dougall, CEO of the City of Fremantle; Jean Hudson, senior writer on the Shipping News; Geoff Hutchison, author and former broadcaster and journalist; and Debra Rule, Chair of Fremantle Community Branch Bendigo Bank – coalesced around the name Walyalup Bridge – just like the WA Government recently did, and loved the nickname ‘Wally’.

The Gang of Four considered a range of attractive bridge names apart from Walyalup: including CY O’Connor, Fremantle and Waugal Koorliny. Fremantle Traffic Bridge, Fremantle Harbour Bridge, Freo Gate and Dockers Bridge also had their advocates. And Sunset Gateway (or any name with Gateway in it), and Bruce were all in the final mix. But none seemed as right as Walyalup.

Credit Les Moyle, Balm Commercial Photography

For the Ed and his Gang of Four, Walyalup signifies a modern Freo in the early 21st century, it’s how Whadjuk folk have referred to the Freo area for a very long time, and unlike some indigenous names, it’s not so hard for the wider, non-indigenous public to pronounce. And it’s the alternative name for the mighty Freo Dockers. We think it’ll prove to be a great identifier and marketing tool for Fremantle as well. It’ll get people talking! Crucially, though, it lends itself naturally to a nickname we reckon will catch on quickly – ‘Wally’. “Turn left at the Wally”, is clear and concise.

By contrast, no-one could think of decent nicknames for most of the alternatives. For example, if we went with CY O’Connor for the bridge name, “Meet me on O’Connor” lacks a certain cachet. And asking “Where’s Bruce?” seemed likely to create more confusion than clarity.

However, if anyone asks, “Where’s Wally?”, the answer is obvious – it’s the good-looking new Fremantle traffic bridge on the Freo side of the utterly forgettable Stirling Bridge.

Go Wally!

*By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News. Images supplied.

~ If you’d like to COMMENT on this or any of our stories, don’t hesitate to email our Editor.

~ WHILE YOU’RE HERE –