In our recent newsletter competition, we asked customers what they loved about Fremantle.  We received hundreds of entries, and are thankful to everyone who took the time to reply.

Every entry we received was an ode to the multicultural, culinary and historically rich city. Fremantle continues to flourish and remains a cultural mecca where locals and visitors go to immerse themselves in its iconic mishmash of old world charm and growing food and small bar scene. Amidst all its offerings, Fremantle always manages to anchor its identity in its people, evident in its museums, architecture, boutiques, restaurants, festivals, landscape, character and ambience.

An entry from our Kleenheat customer F. Mantovani sums it well,  that “a bad day in Fremantle is still better than a good day anywhere else!”  Similar enthusiasm was expressed by everyone’s submission.  It was hard to pick a winning entry,  yet there was one that truly resonated well with us and reflected the consensus of the much-loved precinct.

Meet Ken

“I love the historic places in Fremantle,” he says.  Shipwreck Galleries, Bathers Beach and the remains of the Long Jetty, the Round House, Monument Hill, and the memorial to C. Y. O’Connor and his amazing achievements were just a few he mentioned.  Ken is proud of his close family connections with Fremantle, telling us that his grandparents were married in Scots Church in 1893, after which his grandfather worked as a salesman for Lionel Samson in Cliff Street.  Yet his connection to Fremantle goes back much further.  His great-grandfather, William Miles, lived in Fremantle and worked as a sea captain, best known for wrecking the “Janet” at Rottnest in 1887.  More recently, his father helped build the South Fremantle Power Station, though it’s sad to see that it is now a neglected ruin.  Ken’s enthusiasm for Fremantle continues to this day, “I love Fremantle for many more modern reasons also.”

Kleenheat extends its congratulations to Ken on winning the $100 gift voucher to Habitue restaurant in Fremantle. 

After telling Ken how much we enjoyed reading his entry, we asked him to tell us a little more about himself and his knowledge of Fremantle.  Here are his replies, in his own words … 

Tell us about this picture you submitted

I don’t know who he is but it was taken around 1897 (about the time my father was born).

I chose the photo because the long jetty was built using timber from the Darling Scarp near Bickley Brook (I was preparing to give the WA Week history talk about the pioneers on the Canning River district). In the 1870s the timber was barged down to Fremantle, later the railway was built.

Do you still live in Fremantle?

I live in Shelley on the Canning River and am often in Fremantle. I am a Rottnest Guide and catch the ferry from Victoria Quay which was probably under construction when the photo was taken.

Note: A very interesting photo can be seen on the “Old Fremantle” web site of the opening of the harbour and in the back ground CY O’Connor’s men are busy removing the rest of the limestone barrier.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Retired school principal, past Army Reserve officer, Rottnest Guide since 1986, volunteer at the Kent Street Weir Education Centre (Cannington). I descended from two first settlement families -Gallop and Spencer. My great grandfather William Miles was a transported convict, later sea captain who married James Gallop’s daughter Sarah.

I have my Certificate of Descendancy presented at a Foundation Day ceremony at Fremantle Gaol.

Here’s a photo of myself and my wife, June, who recently passed away, who loved Fremantle and enjoyed regular visits to restaurants there.