Tom Edwards Memorial (d. Martyrs Memorial)

October 26, 2021

Artist: Pietro Giacomo Porcelli

Year of Work: 1919

Location: Originally located in front of Trades Hall, Collie Street. Relocated in 1982 to Kings Square, adjacent the Fremantle Town Hall.

Asset Type: Memorial/ Permanent

Provenance: City of Fremantle

Description:

In 1917 Fremantle Lumpers Union stopped work on ships believed to be destined for Germany in the midst of the First World War. The dispute outlasted the war, with Waterside Workers’ Federation members blockading the S.S. Dimboola in May of 1919. National Warterside Workers Union members attempting to continue work approached the Dimboola on boats, a quarrel broke out and WWF member, Tom Edwards was struck to the head by a police baton. He died of his injuries in Fremantle Hospital three days later.
A fountain by prominent Italo-Australian sculptor Pietro Porcelli was built the year of his death, it is now located in King Square.

C Y O'Connor Memorial

August 23, 2021

Artist: Pietro Giacomo Porcelli

Year of Work: 1911

Location: 1 Cliff St, Fremantle WA 6160

Asset Type: Memorial/ Permanent

Provenance: City of Fremantle

Description:

The memorial committee sought designs for a memorial to Charles Yelverton O’Connor, the engineer of Fremantle Harbour, throughout the Commonwealth. Seventeen designs were submitted and were judged by Messrs. Bernard H. Woodward (Director of the WA Museum and Art Gallery), J.W.R. Linton and Joseph Allen (Mayor of East Fremantle and honorary architect on the Memorial Committee). Pietro Porcelli was given the commission, depicting O’Connor bare-headed, standing with one foot forward and arms folded; his left hand holds scrolled plans for the Harbour, and the right hand rests under his chin as he gazes across the Harbour. The panels depict the Mundaring Weir, the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, the Fremantle Harbour and the Parkville (Swan View) tunnel in the hills. Embedded in the front of the monument is a memorial wreath to O’Connor who took his life in 1902.

Image Source: Eugene Scrivener (Museum of Perth)

Marmion Memorial (and Proclamation Tree)

August 17, 2021

Artist: Pietro Giacomo Porcelli

Year of Work: 1902

Location: 61 Adelaide St

Fremantle, Western Australia

Asset Type: Memorial/ Permanent

Provenance: City of Fremantle

Description:

One of the first public memorials dedicated to persons who had contributed to the State. Marmion was a member of the first council of the Town of Fremantle, foundation member of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, member of the Legislative Council and member for Fremantle in the Legislative Assembly and was allotted minister for lands. He was a joint member on the panel to report on the best place for a Fremantle Harbour in 1982. Marmion died in 1896. The Celtic cross is of late Victorian design. Heritage Council & listed MHI. Located near to Proclamation Tree 1890 and cast plaque installed in 1930.