my+report&nbsp;South+Beach

SOUTH FREMANTLE BEACHES, A CHANGING COMMUNITY.

A report requested for English assessment.

BY ADAM MCMAHON

__Contents__

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..1

Topic…………………………………………………………………………………2

Beaches………………………………………………………………………………2

History………………………………………………………………………………..3

Population……………………………………………………………………………4

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...4

Reference…………………………………………………………………………….5

__Introduction__

The purpose of this report is to provide a qualitative representation of the changing imagery and atmosphere of South Fremantle beach. South Fremantle is a leisurely five minutes walk from the centre of Fremantle. South Fremantle boundaries are South Street, Rockingham road and Hampton Road. This report gives a brief social history of the suburb and its beaches, from the early settlers to the present day.

__Topic__

To explore the reasons how and why South beach has changed to become revitalised for the local community.

__BEACHES__ South Fremantle and its beaches have changed a great deal over the past hundred years .The use of the beaches and suburb have undergone a dramatic transformation that not many other suburbs have encountered.

Present day, South Fremantle has two major beaches, one of which is the dog beach which caters for the greater community and their pets. The second of the two beaches is solely for the use of the public, it also offer’s a lawned area and bbq facilities which many families and community groups utilize. Dog Beach is smaller and bordered by grassed parkland. The second beach is backed by the new South Fremantle housing development.

Back in the early nineteen hundreds there was only one beach which stretched from the now new sailing club to the present day South Beach kiosk.

__History__

South Fremantle and the adjacent South Beach have had a vibrant history. South Beach was home to the first horse race in 1883 and in the early 1900's was one of the most popular beaches in Perth, at that time it was called 'Brighton of the West’. The beach area included a promenade, picture theatre, weekly comedy revue, roller skating rink, camping facilities, shark-proof bathing areas and a tram link to the centre of Fremantle. Shortly after World War I, the Hydro Dome (see Figure 3) was built and this two-story building provided facilities for the community including a dance studio, tearooms, bathing suit hire and changing facilities. The upper story of the Hydro Dome was destroyed by a severe storm in the 1950's, and the rest of the building was demolished in 1969.

After 1969 the beach had changed for good. There was a downturn in the use of South Beach as it changed from a bustling beach community to a working class area, where the emphasis had gone from having fun to work, and to the manufacture of steel and power.

It has taken many years for the return of a positive transformation of the beach; but today the community emphasis has come back to the old ways of leisure and socialising.

__Figure 3__

__Population__ The population has grown with the change of the economic demographics. The population, in the 1950s was mainly derived from new immigrants from Italy and England, Portugal and former Yugoslavia. The proximity to land, and particularly the opportunity of market gardens, made South Fremantle and Spearwood popular locations. The population today, however, mainly consists of white middle class Australian and Europeans. West Australians have a preference for living close to water, river or beach, and these Suburbs have developed into prestigious locations.

Interviews with local residents indicated a number of reasons why and how the atmosphere, community spirit and use of South Beach has improved: Land use has changed from production to housing Fremantle council has updated parks and facilities 1) Local council support of community activities: the kite festival, 2) Renovation of the kiosk 3) New BBQ facilities 4) The groins have provided protection, and prevented erosion of the environment 5) Smaller housing blocks, and an increase in units and flats have forced people to use public open space for children to play and walk dogs 6) Per head of population Australians are extensive dog owners, and need places to walk & swim their dogs 7) Dog walking develops a rapport with local community 8) A higher economic group has moved into the area which means there is less street drinking, drugs, graffiti and vandalism
 * Revitalisation of South beach**

__Conclusion__ Under no circumstance will South Fremantle get back the jetty and pavilion that was built in the early 1900 the cost, maintenance, conservation and political issues would make it unfeasible. However, I think what has taken place in the last 20 years is what serves the community at present, that is not to say it won’t change again .At the current time myself and my family and friends enjoy the beaches of South Fremantle. It offers a place where community and social groups have a place to meet and enjoy the surroundings. This is one thing that should not change; the beaches and parklands should be for the community and for the generations to come. One of the things that were learnt during this report was how the people that I interviewed had a great fondness for their community and beaches of South Fremantle.

__References__

1) Western Australian Office of Statics (re: vandalism) 2) Fremantle Library ,old papers, post cards, archive references (re: old jetty) 3) John Rocco of South Fremantle. Age 67 ( local resident ) 4) Narrelle Mucullick of South Fremantle. Age 82(local resident) 5) Paper: The Western Australian ,article (south Fremantle)by Jason Burrige 2/11/94 6) Fremantle Gazte ,Article (re south beach development) 5/4/2005 7) Pictures were sourced from Google Images World Wide Web