01 August 2010
Fremantle Prison achieves World Heritage status
Fremantle Prison has today been inscribed on the World Heritage List along with ten other Australian convict sites. The announcement was made as part of a serial nomination.
This makes Fremantle Prison the first built environment in Western Australia to be inscribed on to the World Heritage List. It is the most intact convict-built cell range in the nation and was the last convict establishment constructed in Australia.
The announcement came from a meeting of World Heritage Committee, which had convened in Brasilia.
Some of the other Convict-related sites included in the serial nomination for World Heritage Listing included Sydney’s Hyde Park Barracks and Cockatoo Island Convict Station, Port Arthur in Tasmania and the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area on Norfolk Island <more>
22 July 2010
This is what a life sentence looks like - Aging prisoners captured behind bars
Fremantle Prison has secured the exclusive Australian rights to a dynamic photographic exhibition of inmates and staff from American and Canadian prisons.
The Prisoners of Age exhibition features photographs taken by internationally renowned photographer Ron Levine of aging offenders in the North American correctional system.
Fremantle Prison’s Head Curator Sandra Murray said being the only Australian venue to secure this international exhibition was a coup for Fremantle Prison <more>
07 June 2010
Western Australians celebrate their convict ancestry
More than 75 people with family links to Western Australia’s convict past were today presented with official certificates at Fremantle Prison’s annual Descendants Day ceremony.
Fremantle Prison Executive Manager Mr Bevan Beaver said the event, which was now in its 19th year, acknowledged descendants of British convicts, enrolled pensioner guards and warders who were transported to WA from 1850 to 1868.
Applications for Descendants Day 2010 are now open. For more information click here.
25 May 2010
Prisoners on inside display artwork on outside
Fremantle Prison is showcasing artworks by current Western Australian inmates in its new exhibition From the Inside 2010 - WA Prisoner Art.
This exciting exhibition features contemporary artworks produced by Western Australian prisoners with a strong representation of Aboriginal art.
Department of Corrective Services new Acting Arts Coordinator Abdul Abdullah, who will launch the exhibition, said participation in prison arts activities and music programs, was an important way for prisoners to access culture <more>
07 December 2009
Convict Cellar Uncovered
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Fremantle Prison is currently undertaking works to redevelop the building at number 14 The Terrace into a convict themed visitor centre.
As part of these works sections of the concrete floor were removed, uncovering a cellar built by convicts in the 1850’s.
‘The cellar is an incredible find of exceptional historical significance. It tells us a lot about how the prison staff lived during the convict-era as well as construction techniques and materials used at the time’ said Fremantle Prison’s Interpretation Manager Mr Luke Donegan. <more>
Picture: Illya Sparkes-Santos, consultant archaeologist, Eureka Archaeological Research And Consulting UWA
28 November 2009
Fremantle Prison wins Customer Service Award
Fremantle Prison won the Customer Service Council - Customer Service Award for 2009. Executive Manager Mr Bevan Beaver was presented with the award at a finalist function on Friday night. The awards recognise the efforts of businesses in establishing excellent levels of customer service and included a 'mystery shopper' judge assessment.
22 November 2009
Fremantle Prison breaks into the Western Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame
Fremantle Prison will join the exclusive Western Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2010, after winning the Major Tourist Attraction category of the 2009 Western Australian Tourism Awards.
In a night of celebration, the Fremantle Prison Gift Shop also won the Silver Medal in the Specialised Tourism Services, and the Bronze Medal in the Heritage and Cultural Tourism category.
This year’s results represent the greatest success achieved by the Prison in these awards. Having won the Major Tourist Attraction in 2006, 2008 and now 2009, Fremantle Prison will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
The Prison is now a finalist in the Major Tourist Attraction category of the National Tourism Awards, to be announced in Hobart in February 2010. <more>
02 October 2009
$1.8 million Allocated for Conservation and Restoration of Main Cell Block
On Friday 2 October 2009 Peter Garrett, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, announced that the Australian Government had allocated $1.8 million to Fremantle Prison as part of the Government’s economic stimulus package under the Jobs Fund for Heritage Conservation Scheme.
The funds will be used to restore and conserve the interior of the circulation areas of the Main Cell Block. Work will include much needed repairs to the stonework, steelwork and joinery including stairways, walkways and the handrails, as well as painting and the removal of intrusive accretions.
The estimated cost of the project is $2.3 million. The balance of the funds to complete the work are being provided by the State Government.
The project is expected to be completed by 30 June 2010 <more>
26 September 2009
Prisoner Art Exhibition Opens
Artwork created by current and former prisoners will feature in a new exhibition at Fremantle Prison, opening in September 2009. It will include works from metropolitan Western Australian prisons. Artworks presented will be diverse in styles with a strong representation of Aboriginal art.
The arts are pursued on many levels; some prisoners engage in art as a recreational activity, while others are studying through the prisons own education system or externally through Curtin University of Technology.
Art can be recreational, vocational and educational but most relevant is its therapeutic qualities. Art is expression, expression is communication and communication is a first step to effecting change. It is important to consider that the artists have no models and no landscapes to study for inspiration; everything has to come from the inside.
The Prison Gallery showcases and offers for sale the artworks of current and former prisoners of Western Australian prisons as part of its annual exhibition program. <more>
30 August 2009
World Heritage Nomination Update
The Expert appointed by ICOMOS to assess the World Heritage Values of Fremantle Prison inspected the precinct on Saturday 29 August 2009. The inspection was carried out over the entire day with the only planned meetings being with the State ICOMOS representative and officers from the City of Fremantle.
The visit was not publicised beforehand because Experts have a duty of confidentiality and are not permitted to give an opinion about the nomination. Also they are not permitted to give interviews or make public statements.
Where to from here - the Expert will provide a report to the World Heritage Panel who will analyse it and determine the organisation’s position, after which it will be referred to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, which is expected to meet in June or July 2010, for determination. <more>
16 June 2009
Captured Freo Prison 1991
Captured : Freo Prison 1991 is now open. This photographic exhibition features black and white photographs by Karin Calvert-Borshoff, shot inside Fremantle Prison before it closed its gates as WA’s maximum security prison. The collection of over 95 arresting images portrays inmates, staff and educators in their daily routines.
Captured : Freo Prison 1991 is open until September 6 2009. The Prison Gallery, located in the Gatehouse of Fremantle Prison is open to the public from 10am to 5pm daily. Admission to the exhibition is free. <more>
1 June 2009
Treasurer admits links to larceny at Descendants Day 2009
Minister for Works Troy Buswell presented official certificates to more than 70 people who have family links to Western Australia’s convict past at Fremantle Prison’s Descendant’s Day Ceremony held this Foundation Day. The annual Descendants Day event recognises the importance of the convict system in establishing WA, following the arrival of the first convicts on June 1, 1850.
Minister Buswell joins the list of Western Australian politicians embracing their convict history with recognition of descent from two convict ancestors.
“I can report that research by Fremantle Prison’s archivists have found that the record of one Joseph Buswell – convict number 3223 and my great-great-grandfather - shows that he was transported for the crime of stealing three gold coins,’ Mr Buswell said.
“It says great things for our state that in five generations, we’ve gone from transported thief to State Treasurer.” <more>
01 June 2009
Record number of visitors continues
Following on from a fantastic January, Fremantle Prison welcomed the most visitors for the months of March, April and May also. The Prison looks set to break the current record for the most visitors in a single year. The current record of 174,842 was set in 2006/07.
22 March 2009
Jailhouse Rock
Over 80 rockers danced the night away at Fremantle Prison's first official Jailhouse Rock event - a fantastic night of Prison entertainment, full buffet dinner, drinks, dancing and rock and roll.
“There is no better setting for a Jailhouse Rock than the Main Cell Block of Fremantle Prison” said Functions and Events Coordinator Alana Law.
The next Jailhouse Rock is 21 November 2009. <more>
02 February 2009
Record number of visitors
In a great start to 2009 Fremantle Prison welcomed the most visitors in a single month this January. Bucking the apparent trend of declining tourism activity, visitor numbers were greater than any other month since the Prison was opened to the public in 1992.
Fremantle Prison Executive Manager Mr Bevan Beaver said ‘‘Fremantle Prison was recently recognised as the State’s major tourist attraction and cultural and heritage attraction with wins in both categories at the State Tourism Awards. It is fantastic that this level of success is matched by our visitation levels.’
Increases were experienced in all facets of tourism operations including Prison Day Tours, Tunnels Tours, Torchlight Tours, Functions and Gift Shop sales.
08 December 2008
Convict cafe opens
Visitors to Fremantle Prison can now enjoy tasty ‘gruel and grub’ with the opening of the new Convict Cafe. The Cafe offers themed treats that creatively interpret elements of convict life, such as a 'Buzz Burger' and 'Beaker Hunter'. The cafe’s food and service complements the high quality of other products and services currently delivered by Fremantle Prison. Dinner packages, school lunch packs and corporate catering are also available. Located inside the Gatehouse, the Convict Cafe is a great new addition to Fremantle’s famous cafe options. <more>
01 December 2008
Fremantle Prison celebrates double win at Western Australian Tourism Awards
It was a night of success for Fremantle Prison, winning two categories in the prestigious Western Australian Tourism Awards 2008. Fremantle Prison won the ‘Major Tourist Attraction’ and ‘Cultural and Heritage Tourism’ Awards. In addition to this, the Fremantle Prison Gift Shop won a Bronze Medal in the ‘Specialised Tourism Services’ category, and the Tunnels Tours won a Bronze Medal in the ‘Adventure Tourism’ category. This is a tremendous result for all involved with the Prison. It is fantastic to have the dedication and commitment of the staff recognised at this level. The Prison is now a finalist in two categories of the National Tourism Awards, to be announced in Melbourne in February 2008. <more>
11 November 2008
Women on the Inside - Prisoner Art Exhibition
Artwork created by current and former female offenders from Bandyup and Boronia Prisons features in an exciting new exhibition at Fremantle Prison titled ‘Women on the Inside’. The inspiration for the art is especially significant considering that the artists have no models or landscapes to draw from, everything comes from the inside. Artworks presented are diverse in styles and genres including lifelike paper mache animals. The exhibition is open daily from 1 November to 7 December. Artworks are available for purchase from 6 November. The Prisoner Art Gallery, located in the Gatehouse of Fremantle Prison is open to the public from 10am to 5pm daily. Admission to the gallery is free. <more>