View source for Kings Square, Fremantle

{{Short description|Town square in Fremantle, Western Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
[[File:WTF Marlene Oostryck Rally in Kings Square.jpg|thumb|A rally at Walyalup Koort]]
{{mapframe|frame=yes|type=shape|zoom=13|text=Walyalup Koort is near the centre of Fremantle}}
'''Walyalup Koort''', formerly known as '''Kings Square (or King's Square)''', is a [[town square]] in [[Fremantle]], Western Australia. It is bounded by [[Queen Street, Fremantle|Queen]], Newman, William, and [[Adelaide Street, Fremantle|Adelaide]] Streets. Though the square was originally a [[public reserve]], it has been the site of [[St John's Anglican Church, Fremantle|Saint John's Church of England]] since 1843, and the [[Fremantle Town Hall]] since 1887. [[High Street, Fremantle|High Street]] was extended through and beyond the square in the 1880s, but the portion through the square was closed off in the 1960s. Today Kings Square functions as a civic and cultural centre of Fremantle, with modern events taking place adjacent to the historic buildings.

==History==
{{see also|St John's Anglican Church, Fremantle}}
[[File:Fremantle High Street 1940s.jpg|thumb|A Murray Views postcard, No 15, showing Fremantle's High Street, Central Buildings and the Town Hall; taken from near St John's Anglican Church. This section of High Street was later closed to traffic and incorporated into Kings Square.]]
The square began as an open space<ref name="Significance Inherit" /><ref name="Western Gateway" /><ref name="Old Freo" /> on [[John Septimus Roe]]'s original town plan of Fremantle, drawn in 1833.<ref name="Significance Inherit">{{cite web|title=Statement of Significance|url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/511de69a-0acf-4ed1-bb21-c6f074b639da|work=King's Square|publisher=State Heritage Office. Government of Western Australia|accessdate=16 November 2012|date=23 December 2011}}</ref> In 1839, property owners around the square petitioned the [[Governor of Western Australia|State Governor]] for a church to be built in the square.<ref name="Western Gateway">{{cite book|last=Ewers|first=John K.|title=The Western Gateway: A History of Fremantle|year=1971|publisher=University of Western Australia Press for the Fremantle City Council|location=Nedlands, Western Australia|isbn=085564-050-2|pages=30, 184|edition=2nd}}</ref> This was approved in 1840,<ref name="Western Gateway" /> and construction works began with the [[foundation stone]] being laid on 6 April 1842.<ref name="Old Freo">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37997935 |title=OLD FREMANTLE. |newspaper=[[Western Mail (Western Australia)|Western Mail]] |location=Perth |date=21 April 1927 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |page=29 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32284902 |title=HISTORY OF FREMANTLE. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=4 June 1929 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Saint John's Church of England opened on 4 August 1843,<ref name=opening1843>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65583710 |title=OPENING OF THE CHURCH AT FREMANTLE. |newspaper=[[The Inquirer (Perth)|The Inquirer]] |location=Perth |date=9 August 1843 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name="NewsNotes1913">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26890532 |title=NEWS AND NOTES. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=18 November 1913 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and was [[Consecration|consecrated]] on 16 November 1848.<ref name="NewsNotes1913" />

In 1876, the church applied to the [[Fremantle City Council]] for a strip of land, adjacent to the church wall, to be granted to the [[Church of England]], for the purpose of building a new church on the site and to improve the amenity of Kings Square.<ref name="Council meeting 1876">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2976378 |title=PREMANTLE—PORT COUNCIL. |newspaper=[[The Western Australian Times]] |location=Perth |date=4 August 1876 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In this application, all of the land in Kings Square was claimed to have been previously granted to the Church of England,<ref name="Council meeting 1876" /> though in later years this was seen to be controversial.<ref name="Western Gateway" /><ref name="Old Freo" /><ref name="Historic Site">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32282396 |title=AN HISTORIC SITE. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=24 May 1929 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> This application was refused, as the strip was used for storing and preparing stone (for use in road works), and some councillors believed the church had enough land already.<ref name="Council meeting 1876" /> One year later, the church made a second proposal, offering the council the south-western corner of the square, and a [[Right of way (public throughway)|right of way]] for the extension of High Street through the square, in return for the strip of land and 500 pounds.<ref name="Council meeting 1878">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2977714 |title=MUNICIPAL MEETING. |newspaper=[[The Western Australian Times]] |location=Perth |date=19 June 1877 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The council accepted, subject to minor modification.<ref name="Council meeting 1878" />

The new church was constructed and consecrated in 1882.<ref name="St Johns 1914">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37976188 |title=ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, FREMANTLE. |newspaper=[[Western Mail (Western Australia)|Western Mail]] |location=Perth |date=27 March 1914 |accessdate=19 November 2012 |page=33 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It was funded in part by sale of the south-western corner to the Fremantle Council, and the sale of south-eastern portion, which was divided into [[Land lot|lots]].<ref name="Historic Site" /><ref name="St Johns 1914" /> The council constructed the [[Fremantle Town Hall]] on the site it had purchased, between 1885<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2999762 |title=NEWS OF THE WEEK. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=27 June 1885 |accessdate=19 November 2012 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and 1887,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66081344 |title=General News. |newspaper=[[The Inquirer & Commercial News|The Inquirer & Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855–1901)]] |location=Perth |date=16 March 1887 |accessdate=19 November 2012 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66080150 |title=JUBILEE DAY. |newspaper=[[The Inquirer & Commercial News|The Inquirer & Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855–1901)]] |location=Perth |date=29 June 1887 |accessdate=19 November 2012 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> whilst private enterprises constructed buildings in the south east of the square during the 1880s.<ref name="Historic Site" /> These building were later demolished in 1929 to make room for an extension to the town hall.<ref name="Historic Site" /> In 1881, High Street was extended along the right of way through Kings Square.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59686687 |title=High St. marches with history. |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|The Sunday Times]] |location=Perth |date=21 March 1954 |accessdate=19 November 2012 |page=19 Section: FIRST SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

In the 1960s, Kings Square was reinstated as a town square with the closure of High Street, between Queen Street, at the eastern edge of the square, and Market Street, {{convert|100|m|ft}}<ref name="Gmaps walk">{{Google maps | url = https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Market+St&daddr=Adelaide+St&hl=en&ll=-32.053713,115.748273&spn=0.003542,0.006539&sll=-32.054358,115.748348&sspn=0.003542,0.006539&geocode=FQjjFv4dnCbmBg%3BFT7kFv4dtirmBg&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&t=m&z=18 | title = Walking directions Market Street to Adelaide Street | accessdate = 17 November 2012 }}</ref> west of the square.<ref name="Western Gateway" /> This was carried out as part of a [[Traffic congestion#Countermeasures|traffic management plan]] for Fremantle, which included turning the streets around the square into a one way [[Rotary (intersection)|rotary]].<ref name="Western Gateway" />

In July 2021, the name Kings Square was formally changed to Walyalup Koort following approval of the new name by the Minister for Lands.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Oval|first1=Fremantle|last2=Street|first2=70 Parry|last3=Fremantle|last4=Myfreo (1300 693 736)|first4=T. 1300|last5=TTY (Teletypewriter) 08 9432 9777|last6=info@fremantle.wa.gov.au|first6=E.|date=2021-07-02|title=Heart of Fremantle now officially Walyalup Koort|url=https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/news-and-media/heart-fremantle-now-officially-walyalup-koort|access-date=2021-08-20|website=City of Fremantle|language=en}}</ref> The new name, which means 'Heart of Fremantle' in the local Whadjuk [[Nyoongar language]], was selected by [[City of Fremantle|Fremantle Council]] in June 2021 following a community engagement process.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What's in a name? Exploring the idea of renaming Kings Square|url=https://mysay.fremantle.wa.gov.au/ks-name|access-date=2021-08-20|website=My Say Freo|language=en}}</ref> The name changed occurred despite community opposition and a written submission from the [[Fremantle History Society]] stating that they did not support the renaming of this historical site.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mysay.fremantle.wa.gov.au/ks-name | title=What's in a name? Exploring the idea of renaming Kings Square }}</ref>

==Current usage==
[[File:WTF Marlene Oostryck Pinpong in Kings Square.jpg|thumb|People playing [[ping-pong]] at Walyalup Koort]]
Walyalup Koort is now a paved and landscaped civic centre of Fremantle.<ref name="Physical Description">{{cite web|title=Physical Description|url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/511de69a-0acf-4ed1-bb21-c6f074b639da|work=King's Square|publisher=State Heritage Office. Government of Western Australia|accessdate=16 November 2012|date=23 December 2011}}</ref> As well as the church and town hall, the square also features a giant chess board, various public artworks, and facilities such as toilets,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kings Square gets its own flushing meadows|url=http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/home/List_of_News_and_Media/July_2012/Kings_Square_gets_its_own_flushing_meadows|publisher=City of Fremantle|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref> seating, and children's play equipment.<ref name="Physical Description" /> Cultural events take place in the square, including movie, music, and arts festivals,<ref>{{cite web|title=Family Movies in the Square|url=http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/Calendars_%E2%80%93_other/Whats_on_in_Fremantle/Family_Movies_in_the_Square|publisher=City of Fremantle|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Summer Movies in the Square|url=http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/Calendars_%E2%80%93_other/Whats_on_in_Fremantle/Summer_Movies_in_the_Square|publisher=City of Fremantle|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Kings Square Sounds' to welcome CHOGM youth delegates to Fremantle|url=http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/Home/List_of_News_and_Media/October_2011/%E2%80%98Kings_Square_Sounds%E2%80%99_to_welcome_CHOGM_youth_delegates_to_Fremantle|publisher=City of fremantle|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=King's Square Sounds|url=http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/ContentDispatcher.aspx?url=187c4492-cc24-4127-b0ef-9f8000af27ea&transfer=47304c93-a1f0-4a1a-81c8-9f8000b1f05c|publisher=City of Fremantle|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CYF Delegates arrive in Fremantle|url=http://www.youth.gov.au/CYF/Pages/CYFdelegatesarriveinFremantle.aspx|publisher=Australian Government|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=City of Fremantle presents INCUBATE|url=http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/home/List_of_News_and_Media/March_2012/City_of_Fremantle_presents_INCUBATE|publisher=City of Fremantle presents|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref> as well as group activities such as [[yoga]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Yoga in the square|url=http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/home/List_of_News_and_Media/March_2012/Yoga_in_the_square|publisher=City of Fremantle|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref> and [[drum circle]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Community Drum Circles|url=http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/Calendars_%E2%80%93_other/Whats_on_in_Fremantle/Community_Drum_Circles|publisher=City of Fremantle|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref>

Public artworks and statues on display in Walyalup Koort include:<ref>{{cite web|title=Art & Culture Trail|url=http://www.fremantlewa.com.au/images/freo/arttrail_web.pdf|work=Fremantle Trails|publisher=Fremantle Visitor Centre|accessdate=26 November 2012}}</ref> 
* [[Pietro Porcelli|Pietro Giacomo Porcelli]] (1993) – sculptor Greg James
* [[Hughie Edwards]] statue and seat (2002) – artist Andrew Kay
* [[Chess table]] and chairs – artist Coral Lowry
* [[John Curtin]] (artwork alongside the Town Hall building) – artists Charles Smith and Joan Walsh Smith
* [[1919 Fremantle Wharf riot|Tom Edwards Memorial]] (1919) – sculptor Pietro Giacomo Porcelli

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Coord|-32.0539|115.7483|dim:500|display=title}}

[[Category:Adelaide Street, Fremantle]]
[[Category:Queen Street, Fremantle]]
[[Category:Squares in Perth, Western Australia]]
[[Category:High Street, Fremantle]]