MEDIA RELEASE

CLOSURE OF FREMANTLE HISTORY MUSEUM

The History Council of Western Australia is aghast to hear of the closure of one of the most popular and well patronised visitor sites in Fremantle - the Fremantle History Museum.

The Fremantle History Museum provided a unique visitor experience. It told the story of the early settlement of the colony through its display entitled “The Foundations of Fremantle”. Where else could the people of Western Australia and the many tourists who flock to Fremantle learn about the early settlement of Western Australia? Another display that highlighted the importance of Fremantle and the rich cultural diversity of the port city was the display on post war immigration, “A New Australia”. This exhibition provides an insight into the individual experiences of immigrants. Who can forget some of the more poignant objects on display including the concentration camp uniform brought to Western Australia by a Polish survivor? Many people who loaned objects for this exhibition are rightly upset that they are no longer to be on public display for the education and enrichment of us all.

The history museum also had a community gallery for temporary displays. Different community groups were encouraged to work with museum staff to create their own exhibitions to highlight aspects of their particular culture, be it pottery, artwork. photography, needlework or music. The museum was extremely popular with school groups and in fact, was experiencing increased visitor numbers across the board.

The aim of the History Council of Western Australia is to promote the study, preservation and use of history in Western Australia. We represent about 13,000 historians and interested parties throughout the State including academics, professional historians, librarians, museum professionals, archivists, family historians and a number of historical societies and other groups.

We believe that in this time of economic downturn we should not be closing museums but instead investing in the future and ensuring the cultural vibrancy of Fremantle.

6 August 2009

Media contact:
Julia Wallis

Executive Officer

History Council of Western Australia
Email: office@historycouncilwa.org.au

0421 477 034

Website{http://www.historycouncilwa.org.au/}