Investing in our community

For generations, Fremantle Ports has invested in capacity building in our local communities around the key themes of community enrichment, education, environmental leadership and arts and culture. Find out how we can support you.

Community
Published 4 Apr 2023

Fremantle Ports has continued its values-driven commitment to investing strongly in the community by announcing its latest round of support for local clubs and organisations near its facilities at Fremantle and Kwinana.

Earlier this year, the organisation agreed to fund a range of grassroots initiatives that will support local volunteers and organisations build capacity, encourage the health and well-being of people and wildlife, and promote education and connectedness.

Neil Stanbury, Manager Government and Public Relations for Fremantle Ports congratulated the recipients of the most recent round (worth in excess of $50,000 so far this financial year), saying the organisation was pleased to support local community groups.

"Some are new initiatives, while others we have supported for many years, because we know they are important to the fabric of the local community,” he said. Applications are considered quarterly and Fremantle Ports’ had injected more than one million dollars into community activities since its program began two decades ago, he said.

Mr Stanbury encouraged community groups, not-for-profits, local clubs and individuals to visit the Fremantle Ports website to check the application criteria and seek support for their next big local idea to grow vibrancy in and around the ports’ operations in Fremantle and Kwinana (details of recipients are listed below).

Bluebird Fremantle Peer Support Group (Fremantle chapter	Since 2012, Bluebird has provided a Peer Support Group for people aged 25 years+ at risk of mental health issues. Funds will assist in expanding their reach after a significant increase in need during/post-pandemic.	Website: Bluebird
Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides Association Inc - Cannon Firing (FVHGA)	In 2000, the association was formed by people who shared a passion for Fremantle history and sought to open Western Australia’s oldest public building in the historic West End to the public on a daily basis. They educate people about the rich maritime history of the area by conducting a daily 1pm cannon firing.	Website: Fremantle Roundhouse
Fremantle Netball Association	FNA provides a safe and supportive place for all people to participate in netball. Funding will develop the skills of umpires, recognising the need for these officials from state level competition down to grassroots. Strong umpires facilitate fair and strong competition for all participants at all levels in netball	Website: Fremantle Netball Association
Fremantle Port Swimming Club (FPSC)	FPSC has a proud history dedicated to the health of the Fremantle community. Funds will be spent on a scoreboard for all swim events including the inaugural Fremantle Port Open.	Website: Fremantle Port Swimming Club (freoportswimclub.com.au)
Rockingham Senior High School - Fremantle Ports Maritime Scholarships	RSHS has a maritime specialist program that Fremantle Ports has proudly supported for more than 25 years. The program focuses on improving student engagement and outcomes. The Scholarships support five bright and promising students each year. The school aims to nurture the “whole child” to attain their personal best so that they achieve the school mission to ‘develop the understandings, skills and attitudes relevant to their individual needs, thereby fulfilling their potential and contributing to the development of our society’.	Website: Rockingham Senior High School
WA Wildlife - Native Arc Inc - Marine turtle Facility WA	The Native Animal Rehabilitation Centre was formed out of concern for the rescue, treatment and care of injured, sick, orphaned and displaced native wildlife Funding will assist with operating costs for the new marine turtle facility for the first 12 months.	Website: wawildlife.org.au
North Fremantle Primary School Open Day	The school is committed to providing a holistic and inclusive environment; where all children are nurtured to become confident lifelong learners by developing their academic, social, emotional, physical and creative potential. The open day will help local families engage with the school and make informed enrolment decisions.	Website: https://northfremantleps.wa.edu.au
Tourism Rockingham	The Catalpa Festival aims to highlight the historic event of the escape and rescue of the six Irish prisoners from Fremantle Prison by horse and trap to Rockingham, where they were met by the “Catalpa” whaling ship on Easter Monday 1876. Fremantle Ports will support the event in its inaugural year. The event celebrates Australian heritage and Irish culture, music, food and entertainment. Our objective is to raise awareness of the part that Rockingham played in this elaborate rescue, highlighting the link our own shore shares with a particular part of American and Ireland history.	Website: Catalpa Escape Memorial \| Visit Rockingham
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre	For more than 40 years, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre has used puppetry and performance to transform people’s view of the world and build connection and meaning through shared emotional experiences, developing a lifelong fascination for storytelling and enhancing social wellbeing and cultural understanding.	Website: https://www.sppt.asn.au/

The Rockingham Tourism Association Inc and the Catalpa Festival Committee advised they were delighted to have the support of Fremantle Ports for the inaugural Catalpa Adventure Festival to be held in Rockingham on Easter Monday, 10 April 2023.

“The support given will allow us to bring to life a free community festival based around the daring escape of six Fenians from Fremantle prison via Rockingham. The festival will celebrate Rockingham’s history, coastline and community through performances, food, dance, installations, and presentations surrounding the Catalpa escape,” said Ms Deborah Drewe, Manager of Tourism Rockingham.

She said: “It will bring families, historians, and tourists alike to discover the unique story of Rockingham’s past but also to enjoy our wonderful foreshore and City,” said Deborah Dewe, Manager of Tourism Rockingham”.

Mr Stanbury said Fremantle Ports was particularly interested in supporting projects with an emphasis on maritime themes, sustainability, arts and culture, as well as those that enriched local communities in the vicinity of the port.

To find out how your community group can benefit from our community investment programme, click here. Funding rounds are open all year.