Kings Square, Fremantle facts for kids
Walyalup Koort, once known as Kings Square, is a public town square in Fremantle, Western Australia. It is surrounded by Queen, Newman, William, and Adelaide Streets. Even though it started as an open public space, it has been home to Saint John's Church since 1843 and the Fremantle Town Hall since 1887. A part of High Street used to run through the square, but it was closed in the 1960s. Today, Walyalup Koort is a busy place for community events and culture in Fremantle, with modern activities happening next to its old buildings.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Walyalup Koort
How the Square Began
The square was first shown as an open space on the original map of Fremantle, drawn in 1833 by John Septimus Roe. In 1839, people who owned land nearby asked the State Governor if a church could be built in the square. This idea was approved in 1840. The first stone for the church was laid on 6 April 1842. Saint John's Church opened on 4 August 1843 and was officially made sacred on 16 November 1848.
Building the Church and Town Hall
In 1876, the church asked the Fremantle City Council for a piece of land next to the church wall. They wanted to build a new church there and make Kings Square nicer. The church claimed that all the land in Kings Square had been given to them before, but this was later debated. The council said no to their request. This was because the land was used for storing stone for road work, and some council members thought the church already had enough land.
One year later, the church made another offer. They offered the council the south-western corner of the square and a path for High Street to go through the square. In return, they wanted the strip of land and 500 pounds. The council agreed, with a few small changes.
The new church was built and officially made sacred in 1882. It was paid for partly by selling the south-western corner to the Fremantle Council. The south-eastern part was also divided into smaller pieces of land and sold. The council built the Fremantle Town Hall on the land they bought between 1885 and 1887. Private businesses built other buildings in the south-east of the square in the 1880s. These buildings were later taken down in 1929 to make space for an extension to the town hall. In 1881, High Street was extended along the new path through Kings Square.
Changes to the Square Over Time
In the 1960s, Kings Square became a town square again. This happened when High Street was closed between Queen Street and Market Street. This change was part of a plan to help control traffic in Fremantle. The streets around the square were also changed to become a one-way roundabout system.
The Name Change: From Kings Square to Walyalup Koort
In July 2021, the name Kings Square was officially changed to Walyalup Koort. This new name was approved by the Minister for Lands. The Fremantle Council chose the name in June 2021 after asking the community for their ideas. Walyalup Koort means 'Heart of Fremantle' in the local Whadjuk Nyoongar language. The name change happened even though some people in the community did not agree. The Fremantle History Society also sent a letter saying they did not support renaming this historical site.
What Happens There Now?
Fun Activities and Artworks
Today, Walyalup Koort is a paved and landscaped area that serves as Fremantle's main civic space. Besides the church and town hall, the square also has a giant chess board, different public artworks, and useful things like toilets, seating, and play equipment for children. Many cultural events take place in the square. These include movie, music, and arts festivals. Group activities like yoga and drum circles are also held there.
Public artworks and statues you can see in Walyalup Koort include:
- Pietro Giacomo Porcelli (1993) – created by sculptor Greg James
- Hughie Edwards statue and seat (2002) – created by artist Andrew Kay
- Chess table and chairs – created by artist Coral Lowry
- John Curtin (artwork next to the Town Hall building) – created by artists Charles Smith and Joan Walsh Smith
- Tom Edwards Memorial (1919) – created by sculptor Pietro Giacomo Porcelli
