Keep calm and carry on the Freo way

Stuck for ways to keep busy as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve? We’ve compiled a list of things to do in Freo.

Virtual tours at Fremantle Arts Centre

Galleries at Fremantle Arts Centre are shut for now but you can still get your art fix with their online tours. Check out the virtual exhibitions below, including the restaging of the ground-breaking show Bush Women: Fresh Art from Remote WA 25 years after its original exhibition. 

Bush Women: 25 years on

Revealed Exhibition: New and emerging WA Aboriginal artists

Other Suns: Cult sci-fi cinema and art

2019 Fremantle Arts Centre Print Award  

Stay tuned for more to be announced soon.  

Fremantle History Centre photo collection

Explore over 6000 historic images through Fremantle History Centre’s online collection. Dating back to the early 1850s, you’ll discover just how much our city has changed over the years. Search for key events like the America’s Cup or iconic buildings like Fremantle Prison and the Round House. Discover moments in history like the Fremantle Asylum Centre before it became Fremantle Arts Centre, when Bathers Beach House was once a McDonalds or back when Fremantle Leisure Centre had huge water slides. There is plenty to keep you busy here! 

Read an e-book

Hoping to stock up on some books to get you by? Browse the collection of e-books or e-audio books available to hire online through your free Fremantle Library membership. Your go-to genres and books from your favourite authors can be found online to borrow and simply accessed on your tablet, phone or computer. Learn a new skill with a how-to book, read about the life and times of an idol or enjoy a novel from your favourite author.

Stay calm and shop local

Now more than ever our local traders need your help. Grab your fruit and veg from one of the local markets or grocers around town, get your takeaway brew from a local café or see what online options are available from your favourite retailer. If you’re a local shop owner, check out how the City can help you access the COVID-19 support packages on offer from State and Federal governments here.

Revealed Aboriginal Art Market goes online

While WA’s biggest Aboriginal Art Market has been cancelled due to restrictions on crowds, you can still get your hands on the artworks online. Check out this handy list of artwork available to order from WA’s 25 Aboriginal Art Centres and a number of independent Aboriginal artists who were set to exhibit. An online order will help provide some financial support to these remote and rural artists who have been impacted by the event’s cancellation. 

Discover a new home-grown talent

Fremantle is home to a wealth of musical talent from the likes of John Butler to Tame Impala front man Kevin Parker. But did you know many of our local musos got their start on Triple J’s Unearthed, including San Cisco, Carla Geneve and Spacey Jane? We’re certain Freo has plenty more talent just waiting to be discovered. Spend some time browsing Triple J Unearthed to find the next up and coming local artist or band to get you through these times.

Join the Fremantle Book Club

Love reading? Join the city-wide book club and get to know other book-lovers. The large-scale book club has been successfully rolled out around the world, including New York, Seattle and London and has just recently started up in Freo. The book for autumn is crime novel True West by local Freo author David Whish-Wilson, which takes place in WA during 1988. You can get your hands on a copy at Fremantle Library or members can get 10% off the book from New Edition. Be sure to join the Facebook group Fremantle Book Club to stay in touch with members and share your thoughts as you read.

Get creative with Minecraft

Let your imagination run wild with the endless possibilities of Minecraft. We’ve joined forces with City of Canning to create LibraryCraft, a Minecraft server with multiple worlds for WA players between 7–17 years old. This creative world will keep kids busy and their minds active, with exciting challenges and monthly competitions to win.

Tell us your thoughts

If you’ve got some spare time on your hands, why not have your say on the City’s current community engagements and consultations open for comment? Tell us how we can improve facilities and services for our Access and Inclusion Plan or share your thoughts on the management of the Round House and Fremantle Arts Centre conservation. To have your say on these and others, visit My Say Freo.

Be a waste sorting wiz  

How good is your waste-sorting game? Play our online FOGO game to put it to the test! Simply sort the falling items into what bin you think they belong. You’ll be racing against the clock and gain points for correct sorting. Send the link to a friend to see if they can beat your score!

Stay in touch with your neighbours

Create a What’s App or Facebook group for your street or suburb to stay connected. Be sure to check whether one already exists to join, such as the Hilton Hub, South Fremantle Precinct or Samson Community Facebook groups. The groups are run by residents for residents and are a great way to stay connected with each other.

Volunteer to help those in need

Help us provide assistance to people at risk of being effected by COVID-19 by volunteering your time. Whether it’s helping someone with their grocery shopping and dog walking or other errands – any little assistance you can offer will go a long way for someone in need. Simply visit Neighbour to Neighbour to register.   

Stay connected with the City

Sign up for the City’s e-newsletter Freo Weekly to stay connected with us. The e-newsletter provides the latest happenings from the City, such as project updates, development approvals and community stories, along with reminders such as rates notices and pet registrations.

FRE-OH! mag

Check your letterbox for the latest edition of the City’s FRE-OH! magazine or view the online copy here. This 35-page edition is jam-packed with stories celebrating our residents and the city we live in, from globetrotting photographer Jarrad Seng to Fremantle Youth Network taking a stand against climate change. We also delve into the history of Beaconsfield, celebrate our citizens of the year and plenty more.

Your future City

Exciting projects are transforming our City every day! Head to the Projects page on our website for an overview of key projects around the City. You’ll find all the latest info and timelines on our major projects, such as the once-in-a-generation redevelopment of Kings Square to new play spaces, bike lanes and more.