Visitors to Fremantle Prison can now walk in the shadow of Western Australia’s convict past, following the installation of a two-piece 14 metre metal silhouette along the Fairbairn Street entrance ramp.
The new interpretive sculpture depicts a group of life-size convicts and pensioner guards on their arrival to Fremantle, highlighting the ramp’s significance as a historic convict pathway.
The Fairbairn Street ramp was originally built by convict labour from building rubble found on the Fremantle Prison site.
The ramp was the primary pathway along which convicts were led between the prison and convict transport ships anchored at Fremantle Port.
The Fairbairn Street ramp is located in the buffer zone of the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison site.
As stated by Heritage Minister David Templeman:
“This is a visually striking addition to Fremantle’s heritage narrative.
“The placement of the life-sized group of convicts and guards traversing the prison’s entrance ramp highlights the once harsh purpose of this former convict transport route, giving visitors a stronger insight into our convict past.”
As stated by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
“Fremantle Prison is already a heritage icon, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
“This new addition will add to the overall experience of visiting the prison and give visitors an appreciation for what life was like when convicts were building the prison and the ramp.”
