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See what the Probus club of Fremantle have been up to

by The Probus club of Fremantle WA Inc. | 20 Jul 2015

 

In the temporary change of meeting place, Rod and Linley Palmer were inducted into our club by Vice President Ross. Sponsor Recruitment Officer Glen outlined Rod’s personal story whilst Recruitment Officer Val tod Linley’s story. When being welcomed into the club, President Barry said he did not have to invite them to join in the social life as they had been to all social functions during their qualifying time. Members welcomed them during the morning tea break.

National Hotel Heritage Dinner Thursday 14 May


Twenty members and Guests enjoyed the outing to the National Hotel for a dinner using 1920 period recipes and served with a selection of fine wines throughout the evening. The National Hotel’s Managing Director Karl Bullers entertained the 70 diners when he outlined the chequered history of the hotel. His presentation was reminiscent of the Music Halls where we cheered the heroes and booed or hissed the villains. Initially the site of the National Bank, the building became a hotel in 1886. The first publican William Conroy was hung for shooting a councillor at the opening of the Town Hall in 1887. Earlier Conroy due to his drunken state had been refused entry by the Councillor.

Prior to 1902, the hotel was bought by the Mulcahy brothers and a table of 10 descendants helped to celebrate the Heritage Dinner. The Mulcahy brothers also owned The Royal George, The Commercial; and The Terminus Hotels. In 1902 the brothers had the National hotel rebuilt. The new five story hotel was up to date and commodious and prewired for the yet to be available electricity.

During WW II Fremantle was the largest naval base in the Southern Hemisphere and 167 submarines were based there at different times. In 1944 a brawl broke out in the hotel between American and New Zealand soldiers resulting in two Maori soldiers being stabbed to death. A year later a British soldier was killed by his shipmates in a fight in the men’s toilet.               

Fire was to be a continual issue at the hotel. In April 1929 a fire in the roof gardens was quickly extinguished. In 1951 a fire broke out in the basement when stored bags of coal ignited. Fortunately, again the fire was brought under swift control. In 2004 the hotel was closed for extensive renovations, including restoring the removed verandas. In 2007 during the renovation, two boys broke in and lit a fire, causing $5 million worth of damage. A visionary developer bought it but ran into financial difficulties. The Carnegie’s International Group bought it in 2012 and under the guidance of Karl Bullers, rebuilt the hotel to modern day standards.

Adjunct Professor Dr. Michael McCarthy of the Maritime Museum spoke of his first recollection of Fremantle when he arrived in the Child Migrant Scheme. His foster father developed his love of water exploration that led him to marine archaeology. He spoke of seeing the tug Paddy Troy coming to meet his ship and then reminisced about Paddy and other Fremantle people.

Defending Fremantle: Dr Shane Burke Monday 11 May


12 members and guests attended to hear the Notre Dame University lecturer talk about the plans for defending Fremantle. As an archaeologist, Shane dealt with Fremantle defence under the Material Signature; 1 What is still with us, 2 Reminder of different times and the 3 Need for recognition. From the simple mound fort on the corner of Pakenham and Cliff Street, the WW II defences were outlined. Guns were installed at Leighton and it is possible to see the remaining gun any Sunday.

As Fremantle was the largest naval base in the Southern Hemisphere in WW II, submarine nets were installed at the harbour entrance, Woodman Point to northern end of Garden Island and from Rockingham to the southern end of the island. The Garden Island nets are still in existence on the Cockburn Sound ocean floor. The Fremantle South Mole net mechanism is still there and is pictured above.

At the conclusion, some members went on a tour of the Notre Dame University campus whilst the majority, who were on the tour last year, walked to the Fishing Boat Harbour for a traditional fish and chips lunch. There they used the knowledge acquired to defend their lunches from the seagulls. Seen are Val, Norma, Eric, Megan and Glen.