Freo Builds winner announced!

A Hilton Primary School student has taken out the top prize in a creative City of Fremantle competition with his imaginative take on one of the city’s most recognisable icons.

In response to the City’s invitation for local school children to creatively reimagine Fremantle landmarks in new ways, Year 4 student Carus Thompson envisaged the Dingo Flour mill as a mutant, flower-growing factory with robotic arms.

His unique concept placed him among six finalists, whose ideas were transformed into colourful LEGO® creations and displayed in Fremantle’s popular Freo Builds Trail during the July school holidays.

The free event guided families around Fremantle to discover the builds, vote for their favourite and receive a free LEGO® toy in what must have been Perth’s biggest LEGO® giveaway.

After attracting the most public votes for his design, Carus has won The Ultimate Kids’ Excursion to Fremantle for his whole class.

The students will spend a day in Fremantle experiencing some of its unique attractions, including the historic Fremantle Prison, waterfront fish and chips at Cicerello’s and Nyoongar storytelling at the Walyalup Civic Centre. They’ll also take home vouchers for Toyworld Fremantle.

Carus said he was excited about winning and was looking forward to having a tour of Fremantle with his friends.

His principal, Dr Carmel Bochenek, said she was proud of the creative children at Hilton Primary School.

“They love LEGO®!” Dr Bochenek said. “We’re especially impressed that Carus worked on his entry, all by himself, at home.

“Thank you to the City of Fremantle, Walyalup, for this wonderful opportunity.”

Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the Freo Builds Trail was a great success.

“For the past few years the City has staged activations during the school holidays with the aim of attracting more families to Fremantle and supporting local businesses,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“These have ranged from dinosaur trails to superheroes, carnival rides and Easter egg hunts.

“The Freo Builds Trail was one of our biggest activations to date, attracting more than 17,800 visitors across the 14 days.

“Congratulations to Carus on his amazing concept, and to all the other finalists.

“Our thanks also go to our key partners – Toyworld, Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle Markets, Fremantle Prison, WA Maritime Museum and FOMO.”

The five other finalists in the Freo Builds School Competition were Aria (Year 2) and Orlando (Year 5) from White Gum Valley Primary School, Ezra (Year 3) and Isla (Year 4) from St Patricks Primary School, and Asha (Year 3) from Richmond Primary School.

Visitors who completed the Freo Builds Trail and voted for their favourite design also went into the draw to win great prizes, including a Fremantle Prison family pass, an HMAS Ovens Submarine Tour family pass and vouchers for Toyworld Fremantle, Cicerello’s, Twin Fin Fremantle, Fremantle

Markets and FOMO.

To see the full list of winners please go to visitfremantle.com.au/article/freobuilds.

Plans are now underway for the City of Fremantle’s next school holiday activation.

To be the first to find out what to do in Fremantle next school holidays, sign up to Visit Fremantle’s school holiday newsletter: visitfremantle.com.au/subscribe.