Normally, during our travels, we rent furnished apartments as close to the city center as possible (for that is usually where most of the tourist attractions are). Once in a while, this does not always work out. West Lakes is a suburb approximately eight miles outside of Adelaide. During the early 1970’s, it was built on a tidal swamp from reclaimed land. Our two bed-room apartment ( much bigger than we normally get) is directly across the street from the Westfield Shopping Mall, which conveniently includes two major grocery stores and the bus terminal into the city (as well as numerous other stores). West Lakes is also the home to the AAMI stadium for Australian Rules Football. Next door to the apartment complex was an interesting feature new to us: a drive-through (literally) liquor store, called “A Bottle Store (although family members have said they have seen some in the U.S.). Two amazing events occurred while we were staying here; on New Year’s Eve, we were able to watch ten different fireworks displays on the horizon from our balcony; and a few days later, the West Lakes Triathelon took place on the street below us (many of you know that I volunteered as an amateur radio operator at a number of triathelons and the Boston Marathon back in Massachusetts for many years). So, while we were not exactly within Adelaide’s Central business district, we were able to get in and out of the city quite easily, plus we had a variety of activities at our fingertips. It all worked out.

Looking more like a river than a lake, West Lakes is a very nice bed-room community just outside of Adelaide.

The Westfield Shopping Mall was literally just across the street from our apartment. Under the “Cafe Bravo” sign on the left side of this photo is the bus terminal into Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

We don’t normally get apartments this large, but the price was OK (besides, we need to pamper ourselves once in a while).

There are “Drive-In Theaters”, “Drive-up Windows”, but this was a first for us: a “Drive-Through Liquor Store.”

Folks could order their liquor order on-line, drive into the express lane, and the staff would just load your order into the trunk...

...or pull into the “Browse Lane”, Park, and pick out what you want.

One morning we awoke to the sounds of the West Lakes Triathelon taking place on the street below our apartment...

...this event certainly brought back some memories for me...

...to the point that I began looking for my radios to get status reports...lol.

On the other side of the Westfield Shopping Mall was the AAMI Australian Rules Football Stadium.

Being able to watch ten different fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve from our balcony was a highlight of our stay here.

In 1862, a competition was held for the design of a Town Hall to be built on land which the city already owned at the corner of King William and Pirie streets. Former mayor (1859) Edmund Wright, an accomplished architect, won the competition and construction began in 1863 (completed theee years later). At that time, this was the largest municipal building in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s Bell Tower was named in honor of Prince Albert. From the beginning, the design of the building included not only space for the city council chamber and offices, but also a large ballroom/auditorium in which civic meetings and concerts could be held. With that in mind, in 1875, the city council ordered a magnificent organ to be constructed and installed in the auditorium. The first concert was held here on October 2, 1877. Initially, the position of “City Organist” was an honorary one, but by 1891 it had become a salaried one. In 1895, Town Hall was the site of the inaugural meeting of the Australasian Federation League of South Australia, an organization pushing to create the State of South Australia. While many important and noteworthy events have occurred in this building since its construction was completed, to some, the most extraordinary was the 1964 appearance of the Beatles on its balcony to greet 300,000 of their biggest fans. It has been said that this crowd was their largest of any of their tours up to that point. Today, Adelaide’s Town Hall not only serves as the seat for the City Council, but also plays host to the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Adelaide’s Town Hall, with its Prince Albert clock and bell tower, is in the heart of the central business district, and close to Victoria Square (where many other government buildings are located).

Its magnificent central staircase greets visitors at the main entrance to the building.

If course, the main function of Town Hall is to host the City Council meetings...

... and its Chamber serves that function quite well.

While the Queen Adelaide room is adequate for most meetings...

...the grand ballroom/auditorium is used for larger civic meetings and concerts...

...as depicted in this Victorian era painting.

In 1875 an organ was ordered to enhance the function of the auditorium. The first organ concert was held here on October 2, 1877.

To many, however, the most famous feature of the building is this balcony...

...for it was from here in 1964, that the Beatles greeted their South Australian fans (archival photo)...

Ringo was not present at this point, as he was still recuperating from tonsillitis in the hospital...(photo taken from archival records)...

...never-the-less, the estimated 300,000 fans couldn’t have been happier (taken from historical records).

Founded in 1836 by Colonel William Light as a planned city for free immigrants, Adelaide is the fifth most populous city in Australia and one of only a few cities in the country not to have been built by convict labor. Surrounded by the Mount Lofty Range, the area had been inhabited by the Kaurna indigenous peoples prior to European settlement and was mostly bushland. Colonel Light designed the colony in a grid pattern and promoted it as a place “...for religious freedoms and civil liberties.” As such, the early settlers felt there would be no crime, so no plans were made for a “goal” (jail/prison). However, crime did happen, so by 1838 the South Australian Police Force was established and the city’s first jail was constructed in 1844. Adelaide’s early economy was based on wool production and wheat farms. When silver was discovered in nearby Glen Osmond, the city’s population soared. By 1856, it had become a self-governing colony with its own constitution. Surviving economic downturns during the 1890’s and the Great Depression of the 1930’s, Adelaide once again prospered from World War II onward. Because it’s original founding was based upon religious freedom, Adelaide became known as “The City of Churches.” This is one of the most active seismic regions in Australia, with its largest earthquake (5.6 magnitude) ever recorded occurring on March 1st, 1954. Having visited several cities in the U.K. and this being our fourth Australian city, one of the scary things is that I am actually beginning to understand the game of Cricket. OMG!

The city was named in honor of Adelaide, Queen Consort to King William IV.

North Terrace, one of the main roads in the city, as it appeared in this 1841 painting.

Today, King William Street (which bisects North Terrace) is one of the widest streets in any Australian capital city.

Located on King William Street (near Victoria Square), town hall does provide tours for visitors.

Like most major cities (especially in this part of the world), there is an active “China Town”...

...as well as many beautiful parks and gardens.

This is a beautiful place!

As sometimes happens during our travels, we end up with a series of photos that, for the most part, do not easily lend themselves to a full blog posting. These would usually end up in the “Deleted” file. For a change of pace, we felt that a collage of some of these photos would make a fitting wrap up to our stay in Perth. Enjoy!

Built in 1854, the Old Perth Boy’s School was the first purpose built government school in Western Australia. It is now part of Curtin University.

Claude de Bernales, a wealthy gold merchant had this open-roofed arcade built in 1937. The original plan for this Tudor/Elizabethan building was for commercial enterprises to be located on the ground floor and residential apartments above. Today, the building is almost completely commercialized.

Since Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia, it would be natural to find statues of them all over.

Situated within the Parkland Gardens of Perth, this memorial to the migrants who came to Australia from around the world was commissioned by the Abruzzese Emigrant Association of Australia.

This autographed replica of George Frampton’s Peter Pan is in the heart of Queens Gardens and was presented to the children of WA in 1927.

Mining of various metals has played an important role in the development of WA. This “Ore Obelisk” is a tribute to that mining role....

...and here is a description of the obelisk.

St. George’s Cathedral is the principal Anglican Church in Perth. Built between 1879 and 1888, it is near the site of the “Rush Church”, the first church built in Perth in 1829.

Found all over the region, Aboriginal art is quite unique and beautiful.

Captain James Stirling was the founding governor of Western Australia, so it is fitting to find his statue in the heart or Perth’s central business district.

In it’s former life, “The Brass Monkey Bar” was known as the “Great Western Hotel.” This is THE most photographed building in Perth.

Entitled “Footsteps in Time,” this series of sculptures pays tribute to those business folks who were instrumental in the development of Perth...

...and here is the explanation.

Officially known as “The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” construction of St. Mary’s Cathedral (as it is more commonly known) began in 1863. This was not the first Roman Catholic Church in Perth, however. That distinction went to St. John’s Pro-Cathedral, located a short distance away, in the early 1800’s. When the population outgrew St. John’s, the congregation began searching for a site that would accommodate a larger Cathedral. Victoria Square was to be the site of a Church of England Cathedral but the Anglicans of the Swan River Colony felt it was too far outside the city center for them. So, the land was ceded to the Catholic Church in 1859. Following the laying of the corner stone, construction of the Cathedral progressed quite slowly because of labor and funding shortages. While construction was not complete, the Cathedral was officially opened in 1865. Plans for the completion and expansion of St. Mary’s were drawn up in the 1920’s but were again disrupted, this time by the Great Depression. By the late 1990’s efforts were renewed to complete the Cathedral. Today, this magnificent Cathedral is the Seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Perth.

St. Mary’s Cathedral is located in Perth’s Victoria Square opposite the Royal Perth Hospital.

The main altar is quite different from what we’ve seen in other Cathedrals...

...as the panels behind the altar can be illuminated by colored lights. As with other Cathedrals we’ve visited, however, the stained glass windows are spectacular!

Archival photo of the original building as it looked in the early 1890’s...

...and one of the expansion efforts of 1929 (which were interrupted by the Great Depression).

Architectural concept drawing of the Cathedral as it was to appear in the early 2000’s.

Of course, no self-respecting Cathedral would be complete without a magnificent organ.

We were particularly impressed by the mosaic tiled floor by the side altars.

Originally, the Art Gallery of Western Australia was housed in the “Jubilee Building” along with the State Museum and Library. That building, opened in 1887 in honor of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, was, itself, originally intended to be only a library. Today’s main gallery building ( funded by monies generated from a mining boom) was not completed until 1977. Its first collections focused on craft works from Asia and India, with art ( including traditional and contemporary indigenous works covering the period between the 1820’s to the 1960’s) by European Australians coming later. The gallery’s administration building is housed in the former Police Quarters and Old Court House which had been built during the gold rush era of the 1890’s. The historical collection, known as the “Centenary Gallery” is housed here. Of the more than17,000 works of art in the permanent collections, around 3000 are considered indigenous pieces. Approximately 400,000 people visit the art gallery each year.

While we were there, the gallery was hosting a temporary exhibition on the life and art of Australian actor Heath Ledger (1979 - 2008). Ledger started in such films as “The Patriot”, “A Knight’s Tale”, and “Brokeback Mountain”. He had produced and directed a number of music videos prior to his untimely death at the age of 29 years.

Located in the Perth Cultural Center, the Art Gallery is within easy walking distance from the city’s restaurant district.

Over 400,000 yearly visitors enjoy its eclectic collections.

Among its many pieces is this 1913 work entitled “aka robe Chinoise” by Hilda Rix Nicholas. Australian by birth, she had travelled overseas to persue her career.

Rodin’s “Adam” was purchased for the gallery with financial assistance from the Government of Western Australia.

A touch of home. This sterling silver and crystal piece by John Hunt is on loan from the collection of Philippa Pearson of Ohio.

The Art Gallery’s featured temporary exhibit was in the life of Heath Ledger, Australian actor, producer, and director.

Studio still from his role in “The Patriot” with Mel Gibson (who was born in the USA but grew up in Australia).

Ledger died shortly after completing his role as “The Joker” in the movie “The Dark Knight.”

Ledger was only 29 at the time of his death in 2008.

Commissioned by two-time mayor of Perth, Thomas Molloy, “His Majesty’s Theater” was constructed between 1902 and 1904 and named in honor of recently crowned Edward VII. Because it was built during the high growth rate in Perth brought about by the gold rush era, the theater was designed in the Edwardian Baroque style. At the time, this was the largest theater in Australia (seating 2584 patrons), as well as the first reinforced concrete building in Perth. An additional notable feature was the sliding roof dome that allowed patrons to enjoy warm summer nights while watching performances. During its first seventy years, the theater primarily hosted traditional Shakespearean plays, operas, political rallies, boxing matches, and movie screenings. Since 2001, the theater has also played host to a museum of performing arts. Some of the famous performers who have played here were James Earl Jones, Ian McKellen, Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury, Geoffrey Rush, and Rex Harrison (amongst others).

Located on the corner of Hay and King streets in Perth’s central business district, “His Majesty’s Theater” was originally built with an adjacent hotel.

Entering the main lobby, one immediately gets a glimpse of the baraoque style of architecture that awaits you...

...for on the right side of the lobby is this elegant staircase

Each floor was so beautiful that we could only imagine what it was like to attend a nightly performance here in the early days of the twentieth century.

Our breath was taken away when we walked out the second floor balcony to get this view of the stage. Can you imagine this opulent dome sliding open to the night sky during a summertime performance?

A 1933 photograph of the crowds attending one of the performances.

The orchestra pit extended below the front part of the stage.

Since 2001, His Majesty’s Theater has also played host to a small performing arts museum.

Visitors we’ve met have described Perth as a city that loves its parks and gardens. We can believe that from our walks around Perth. There are sixteen major(and many smaller) parks throughout the city, providing quiet respites from the hectic urban life. During our time here, we managed to visit many of these oases. Presented here is a sampling of some that we explored;

KINGS PARK: (discussed in more detail during a previous posting). Located on Mount Eliza, this is a thousand acre combination botanical garden, parkland, and natural bush land overlooking the Swan River. Additionally, the Park is home to the State War Memorial.It is considered to be the largest inner city park in the world. With over five million visitors per year, Kings Park is the most popular tourist attraction in Western Australia.

STIRLING GARDENS; Originally established in 1845 by the Perth Vineyard Society, this was the first botanical garden in the city, and,as such, is the oldest of Perth’s public gardens. Named after Governor James Stirling who had fought long and hard for creating a settlement in Western Australia (WA), this garden is in the heart of the Central Business District, near the State Supreme Court and Government House. Scattered throughout the grounds are kangaroo sculptures and fabled Mary Gibbs’ creations of “Snugglepot” and “Cuddlepie.”

LANGLEY PARK; Running alongside part of the Swan River, this Park was created between 1921 and 1935 ( with reclaimed land dredged from the river) in response to the city’s need for additional open spaces. Aviation pioneer, Major Norman Brearley, began using the park as an airstrip. This became a popular tradition (landing planes in the park) throughout the 1920’s and continues today with an annual fly-in of small aircraft. From 2006 until 2008, the Park was used as an airfield for the annual Red Bull Air Race World Series. The renowned “Cirque du Soleil” used the park several times for its big top shows.

QUEENS PARK; Opened as a park in 1899, this was originally known as Woodlupine. The name was changed to Queens Park in 1911, following a murder in the park (residents feared the incident would jeopardize the development of the area). Before it became part of Perth’s parks and gardens system, the area was used for horse racing and later (i.e. 1860 to 1890) as a clay mine and brickworks.

VICTORIA GARDENS; As one of Perth’s early parks, Victoria Gardens was originally planted in the late 1800’s. As the centerpiece for the Claisebrook Cove Village development, the gardens feature many artworks recognizing the history and culture of the local indigenous peoples. Because of this, the gardens are a favorite hangout for the aboriginal folks.

HEIRISSON ISLAND; This area of mudflats and small islands was known by the Beeloo Noongar people as “Matagarup” (meaning “one leg deep”) and was their first major crossing point upriver from the river’s mouth. The first European to explore this part of the river was Flemish explorer William de Vlamingh in 1697. Between 1801 and 1804, a scientific expedition, led by Nicolas Baudin aboard the French ship “Le Naturiste,” renamed the island after one of its midshipmen, Francois-Antoine Boniface Heirisson. Today, the island is used as a reserve for grey kangaroos.

Entrance to the Botanical Gardens section of King’s Park.

WA’s War Memorial overlooking the Swan River.

Stirling Gardens main entrance off of St. George’s Terrace.

Australian author, Mary Gibbs’ “Snugglepot” and “Cuddlepie” statues within Stirling Gardens.

Langley Park running alongside of the Swan River.

Archival photo of the annual “Fly-in” at Langley Park.

Opened as a public garden in 1899, Queens Park was originally known as Woodlupine Park...

...but before it became a Park, the area was once a clay pit used for brick making.

Some of the trees in Victoria Gardens were originally planted in the late 1800’s.

Throughout this park are a number of artworks depicting indigenous culture and history...

...including this “Dreaming Story” mosaic.

Heirisson Island was known as “Matagarup” by the Noongar peoples of Perth.

For centuries, this Island was the major crossing point over the river for indigenous peoples of Perth. This statue on the island is dedicated to a Noongar warrior, “Yogan”, who led the resistance against British settlement of the area.

Much of Heirisson island today is used as a reserve for a colony of grey kangaroos.

In 1859, independently wealthy Mathew Blangden Hale, the first Anglican Bishop of Western Australia (WA), bought five lots of land on the western edge of Perth’s central business district in order to build a home for his family. He liked this site because the large grounds already contained a house (which he planned to renovate) and stables. It also included a natural spring running through the property. Hale added a fruit garden and by 1860, a small cottage next door for visiting clergy. Twelve years later, Bishop Hale built another home a short distance away to house aboriginal children. This became known as “Hale House.” When Hale was re-assigned as bishop of Brisbane in 1875, he gave his WA property to the Perth Diocesan Trust to be used by bishops following him. By 1946, however, the succeeding bishops stopped living on the property, so it was leased to Legacy Australia and the building became known as “Legacy House.” In 2010, after having gone through a number of different ownerships, the building was converted into a multi-level restaurant known as “Lamont’s.” We had the good fortune to be shown around the house and gardens by the manager of the restaurant.

Now known as Lamont’s Restaurant, this building was, originally, the home of the first Anglican Bishop of Western Australia.

At one time, the waterfront came up to the back edge of the gardens behind the house.

One of the features that attracted Bishop Hale to this site was the natural spring (just visible below the trees and behind the sculpture) that ran through the property.

While the restaurant now occupying the site was not yet open, the manager was gracious enough to show us around.

It was not too hard for us to imagine what this house was like during the time Bishop Hale and his family lived here.

We particularly loved the wrap-around balcony on the second floor...

...while the sculptured gardens on a level above the front of the building came in a close second.

A short distance away (along St. George’s Terrace) is “Hale House” which the Bishop had constructed for Aboriginal children. A statue of Bishop Hale stands in front of the building.

Wonderful things happen all over Perth just about every day. Exploring the central business district (CBD), we happened upon a delightful summer market in Central Park (Yes! Perth has one also). Held every Wednesday from the beginning of November until mid-December, next to the tallest building in the city, this market is hosted by “Design Your Day” and “Central Park Perth.” The thirty stalls within the Park feature produce from local farmers, food stuffs from nearby restaurants, and arts/crafts by Western Australian artists, making this a perfect place to have lunch and perhaps do a little Christmas shopping. We had an absolutely delightful time exploring the variety of venues and visiting with a number of folks running the event.

A “highly designed and crafted sign” (yet effective) announces the Summer Market in Perth’s Central Park.

While not “huge” by some standards, this Summer market offered most of what one might want for a quick lunch-time break...

...including a variety of international foods...

...such as Belgium Waffles...

...coffee...

...spices...

...and “life-sustaining” ice cream (of course).

In case you needed another stocking stuffer for Christmas, there were several arts and crafts stalls.

We met Lisa from “Design Your Day” ( one of the sponsors of the market) who was extremely friendly and helpful.

Serving several different denominations, the East Perth Cemeteries were first established for the Swan River settlement in 1829 and remained active for seventy years. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, this had been the land of the Whadyak peoples of the Noongar nation for centuries. It is estimated that the remains of nearly ten thousand of the first European settlers were buried here, in seven independently administered sections (i.e. The Church of England, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Congregational Hebrew, Presbyterian, and Chinese)between 1829 and 1899; “estimated” because much of the property is devoid of markers (lost to decay, Fire, and well-intentioned, but misguided, clean-ups). Only 800 graves have been identified. Today, the East Perth Cemeteries are open to the public, but on a limited basis; Sunday’s only from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with a “donation” expected.

Entrance to the grounds ( on Bronte street) is open to the public only on Sundays, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

St. Bartholomew’s Church was built within the cemetery grounds in 1871 and served as a parish church for almost 150 years.

The building was restored during the 1990’s.

Of the nearly 10,000 burials that took place here, only 800 gravesites had been identified...

...as many were lost to decay.

As with any cemetery around the world, grave markers were determined by religion and the relative wealth of the owners.

In the Chinese section of the cemeteries, this is referred to as “The China Wall.”

We’ve found that a lot of the history of an area can be defined within the confines of its cemeteries.

We seem to have an uncanny knack for finding unexpected attractions wherever we go. While exploring the Supreme Court of Western Australia (WA) and the Old Law Court Museum, we happened upon the “World of Food Festival” on the nearby grounds of Government House. This event (established in 2010) is sponsored by 25 members of the WA Consular Corps (Austria to Vietnam) and features food and cultural performances from around the world. In addition to the Festival, Government House itself (the official residence of the Governor of WA) was open for tours. Ever since the first WA Governor, James Sterling, and his family inhabited this site in tents during 1829, the area has been home to every governor. The original governor’s house was a wooden structure built between 1834 and 1835. The current stone and brick building was constructed between 1859 and 1864. It is now a National Historic Site. The Festival food was great; the cultural performances were entertaining; and the Government House tour was fascinating. This was a totally unexpected and wonderful day.

The gardens adjacent to WA ‘s Government House plays host to the annual “World of Food Festival.”

Sponsored by 25 members of the Consular Corps of Western Australia, this weekend festival is quite popular.

The WA Consular Corps members that sponsored this festival.

Children can enjoy a small petting zoo...

...”Hey! The turkey has escaped!”

Each of the Consular Corps members provided a cultural performance and a food stall from their respective country.

All of them were entertaining...

...and colorful.

During this weekend festival, the WA Governor’s mansion was open for tours.

What a glorious central staircase!

The State Dining Room.

No self-respecting mansion would be complete without an elegant Drawing room...

...nor a more intimate parlor...

...let alone a Ballroom.

This was an absolutely fantastic day!

Perth plays host to one of the largest musical instruments in the world; the Swan Bell Tower. Comprising 18 bells, twelve of which came from the Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London’s Trafalgar Square. Donated to the state of Western Australia (WA) in 1988 for the Australian Bicentennial celebration, the Saint Martin bells date back to before the 14th century and were said to have been rung as the explorer, James Cook, set sail on his voyage to found (develop settlements in) Australia. The Saint Martin bells are considered to be rare because they are one of only a few sets of English Royal Bells still in existence (Saint Martins is the Royal familiy’s parish church) and the only ones known to have left England. These bells had also been rung to celebrate the coronation of every British Monarch since King George II in1727. The Tower housing the bells is 271 feet tall and offers splendid views of the city skyline.

Perth’s Bell Tower is located on the waterfront just beyond WA’s Supreme Court building.

Its observation deck offers fantastic views of Elizabeth Quay along the harbor...

...as well as the city skyline.

This clock mechanism in the ground floor lobby helps to keep the bells ringing on time.

While the admission fee to the tower is a bit pricey ( twenty dollars per person), you do get to see the bells...

... and the manual bell ringing room, along with the observation deck up top.

Of course, there is a gift shop where you can purchase your own set of bells...

...but if you are lucky and your timing is good, you can be with the bells when they start ringing. Just bring ear plugs.

For the first 73 years of its existence, Perth’s Fire Brigade was located in the undercroft of Town Hall. By 1899, the city council realized that this was inadequate and commissioned plans for a stand alone building for the fire service. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Perth at the time, Matthew Gibney, sold some land opposite the Royal Hospital to the city for the purpose of constructing a new building for Fire Brigade Number One. Designed in the Romanesque Revival form, and opened in 1901, this one story building housed two steamers and two hose carts. By 1910, it became evident that the building needed to be expanded so that additional equipment could be housed. An addition was made to the back side of the building. The fire fighters stationed in what became known as the Central Fire Station, soon discovered the young ladies in the nursing school across the street and during leisure periods would climb the tree outside the nurse’s quarters to socialize. Fire Brigade No. 1 vacated the building in 1979 for newer, more spacious quarters. The Old Central Fire Station underwent a restoration project between 1983 and 1985, resulting in its reopening as a Fire And Emergency Services Education and Heritage Center. As has happened several times in the past, this museum was an unexpected discovery while traveling to another attraction.

Located on Murray Street near Perth’s Royal Hospital, the Old Central Fire Station housed Fire Brigade No.1 for 69 years.

Luciano from the Fire and Emergency Services graciously explained some of the history of the building to us.

The original fire station housed three equipment rooms and a Watchroom on the ground floor, while the upstairs included the dormitory for the fire fighters and the Chief Officers Quarters.

One of the original horse-drawn hose carts used by Fire Brigade No. 1.

An early 20th century Dennis Light Pumper greets visitors at the museum’s entrance.

Archival photo of the Fire Brigade when they were stationed at Town Hall prior to the construction of the Old Central Fire Station.

Circa 1915, this was the first mobile phone used by the Fire Brigade used to communicate between the Watchroom and fire vehicles around the city. Two wires were clipped onto a telegraph line on location and the handle was turned to generate a connection to the Watchroom.

Diring quiet moments at the fire station, the young fire fighters were often seen climbing this tree across the street to socialize with the student nurses of the Perth Royal Hospital...

...while, today, two modern day visitors enjoy a leisure moment on a swing attached to the tree.

During our explorations of Perth, we had the good fortune to meet Susan, the wonderful principal of a local school. Over the course of our conversation with her, she invited us out to the neighboring town of Mandurah (apparently pronounced “Mandra”) where she lives. Located 45 miles south of Perth, Mandurah is the second largest city in the state of Western Australia (WA). The Noongar native peoples called this area “Mandjar”, meaning “meeting/trading place.” In 1831, the area was established as a small fishing village by Thomas Peel and 12 other European settlers, who had come to WA two years earlier with the promise of land grants. By the late 1800’s, the population had grown to a whopping 160 and the town had its own fishing cannery. Today, Mandurah’s economy is based on buxite mining and tourism, giving it the “unofficial” title of “the gateway to south-western Australia.” Some of its most frequent visitors are dolphins and whales. We had a great time visiting with Susan and exploring her home town.

Mandurah sits on the Peel-Harvey estuary, which has an abundant wildlife and migratory waterbird population.

Much of the area is a photographer’s delight. This is a view of Halls Head Bay from the top of a local hill.

One of Mandurah’s notable features is the War Memorial situated on the edge of the estuary.

Dolphins and whales are frequent visitors to the waters here.

A couple of newer visitors to the city.

As part of our tour of Mandurah, Susan stopped at her place of worship, Christ Church...

...with its elegant stained glass windows.

Another highlight of our trip to Mandurah were the Thrombolites of Lake Clifton Park, which are ancient forms of microbial communities that are formed in shallow water. These rare creatures are considered to be the most primitive forms of life on earth. They have existed for more than 3500 million years.

Our host,Susan, stands with Lori on Lake Clifton overlooking the thrombolites. (It was very windy out there).

During 1827, while the British were concerned about French incursion into Western Australia, the Brits felt the port area, now known as Fremantle, was thought to be ideal for a settlement. By May of 1829, the first part of the Swan River settlement had been established, at the mouth of the river. It was named after the English Naval captain (Charles Fremantle) who had established the camp on the site. The Whadjuk Noongar native peoples who had inhabited this area for centuries, knew it as “Walyalup” (“The Place of Crying”). For them, this area was important for ceremonies, cultural practices, and trade. During September of 1829, the “Anglesea” (a merchant ship) ran aground at the mouth of the Swan River. When the ship did not break up as expected, the Swan River settlers turned it into WA’s first prison. Because of a lack of skilled laborers immigrating to Western Australia (WA), the settlers petitioned the British government to send convicts with the skills WA needed. The first of these “skilled” convicts arrived in the port of Fremantle (Perth’s main port) on June 1, 1850. At the height of the WA gold rush (1897), Fremantle’s harbor was deepened, making it more accessible for commercial shipping and turning the port into a center for trade. During World War II, the largest Allied submarine base in the Southern Hemisphere was located in Fremantle, with nearly 170 submarines calling it home. Today, many of the convict-built structures of the 19th century have been preserved, including “The Round House”, the oldest remaining intact building in WA ( built between 1830 and 1831 as a jail). Ferries and trains run daily between Perth and Fremantle ( although the trains are the cheapest way to go).

In the center of town, the strange yellow strips on city hall actually serve a purpose...

...while this may look like a photoshopped picture, it is really an unusual piece of art. The yellow strips are painted on the individual buildings. It is only when you stand in front of “The Round House” looking back towards the city center do you see this image.

Because Fremantle was the original port for what became the city of Perth, it is only fitting that there is a maritime museum...

...which includes the “Australia II” racing ship that won the America’s Cup Yacht Race.

Built in 1830, “The Round House” was the first permanent building in the Swan River Colony and is the oldest building still standing in WA.

One of the main attractions in town is the Fremantle Prison...

...built between 1851 and 1859 by convict labor, this 15 acre prison (originally known as the “Convict Establishment”) finally closed in 1991.

Perhaps one of the biggest thrills we had while visiting here was to be able to stick our feet in the Indian Ocean.

Henry Trigg, a carpenter from England, immigrated to Western Australia (WA) in 1829. Becoming superintendent of Public Works in 1838, Trigg was responsible for the construction of many of Perth’s early government buildings. A deeply religious man, he began worship services in his own home, and by 1846 founded and constructed a Congregational church. Eighteen years later, Trigg purchased land along St. George’s Terrace in order to construct a larger building. This was completed in 1893 on a spot in front of the existing building. The new building was designed with hand-made bricks in the “Flemish Band” style, making it one of the most distinctive architectural churches in Perth. Now known as the Trinity Uniting Church, it is one of the oldest, and one of the few remaining 19th century, colonial buildings in the city.

Henry Trigg’s Trinity Uniting Church

Looking towards the main altar from the balcony of the church

We were fortunate enough to get a closer view of the main altar.

Archival photo of the original Trigg chapel.

Henry S.Trigg, grandson of the founder of the Trinity Church, commissioned this rose window on the south wall of the building as a memorial to his grandfather.

Following one of the greatest gold rushes in history (1893), the Perth Mint was established as a colonial branch of the Royal Mint in London. Its first mission was to refine gold mined from the fields of Halls Creek and turn it into bullion bars and coins that could be used throughout Europe. By 1931, it was producing coins specifically for use in Australia. This is Australia’s oldest operating Mint. It’s original melting house began operating in 1899 and continued until 1990. Even today, it continues to provide gold melting demonstrations for visitors. Next to the Melting House is an exhibit featuring the largest coin of pure gold in the world (one ton in weight). In today’s market, it is valued at over fifty million dollars. In 1970, ownership of the Mint was transferred from Britain to the government of Western Australia and now serves as a world leader in the global coin market.

The oldest operating Mint in Australia is the Perth Mint which began refining gold in 1899.

The sculpture in the entrance courtyard depicts the 1893 gold rush that began in Halls Creek.

The exhibit room features some of the various gold types pulled out of the Halls Creek fields...

...along with the largest pure gold coin (one ton) in the world, valued at over $50,000,000.

...along with a couple of visitors whose combined weight in gold would be valued at $7,063,840.

The original Melting House began operations in 1899...

...and is still in use today, providing visitors with demonstrations of the whole process.

The prospectors of yesteryear would probably be amazed to see this Mint still operating today.