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Dear Fremantle community,

Customarily, Christmas and the New Year are times for both fun and reflection. We acknowledge our achievements and look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm.

There’s no doubt this year, particularly the latter part has been extraordinary in terms of economic upheaval. We approach the festive season with uncertainty about what 2009 holds for us not only as individuals but for our families and our communities.

If there’s a bright side to the current economic gloom it is that it provides an opportunity to recognise those things that are truly valuable not in monetary terms but in human terms.

They are the company of family and friends, good food aplenty and the parks, beaches and environment that give us the fabulous lifestyle we enjoy in Australia generally, and our municipality of Fremantle specifically.

It’s a cliché but none-the-less true that ours is a lucky country.

We’ve had a great year at the City of Fremantle. We’ve prided ourselves on embracing different cultures and having a great social conscience that provides for and helps protect those less fortunate.

This year marks the first for the ‘Council Against the Rest of the World Cricket Match’, a fundraiser for the Police and Citizens Youth Club and other charities on November 30, at Stevens Reserve, Stevens Street, in Fremantle.

It was also a year for infrastructure expansion throughout the municipality. The City has allocated $2 million to its expenditure for building infrastructure. The current budget of $7.5 million for capital works on infrastructure assets represents a 7% increase on the 2007/08 budget, with $5.3 million budgeted for infrastructure maintenance being a 6% increase on the previous financial year.

We expect to spend around 30% of the capital works infrastructure budgets by December, with a number of significant projects starting in the second half of the financial year. These include major upgrades to South Terrace, as well as the Hilton precinct project.

We look forward to 2009 as a year of consolidation, careful investment and considered growth. Our aim is to weather the bad patches with humour and embrace the good with vigor.

For now though, councillors and staff of the City of Fremantle join me in wishing you a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Mayor Peter Tagliaferri

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Every Thursday and Friday in December
The Village Art Market, Kings Square. 10am – 5pm
Eclectic and effervescent mix of stallholders, entertainers, workshops and crafts.

Friday 5 December
Community Christmas Concert in Kings Square 6pm
Bring your jingle sticks (make a jingle stick at the Village Art Market) and join in on the Christmas cheer!

Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December
Bazaar at Fremantle Arts Centre 10am – 5pm
Start your Christmas shopping at BAZAAR. More than 50 stalls of Western Australia’s best jewellery, fashion, craft and other beautiful things. $2 entry, children under 12 free.

Thursday 11 December
Turning on the Christmas tree lights, Esplanade Reserve 8pm
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Fremantle, this is a great event for the family.

Sunday 14 December
Open day at Fremantle Leisure Centre 8am – 1pm
Bouncy castle, pool inflatable’s, Buster the Fun Bus, treasure hunts – for ages 2 to 13yrs and a visit from Father Christmas. A Free BBQ Breakfast starts at 8am - until the food runs out!

Friday 19 December
Christmas crafts at Fremantle City Library 10am – 12pm
Make beautiful bon-bons, delightful decorations and more!

Friday 19 December
St John’s Church Christmas Pageant, King Square Fremantle 3pm-6pm
Bring the youngsters and enjoy the wonderful story of Christmas. Be part of the Christmas story, dress as an angel or a shepherd.

Saturday 20 December through to Christmas Day
Make a wish
Make a special Christmas wish at the magical wishing tree at Pickled Fairy and Other Myths in the South Terrace Piazza.

Sunday 21 December
Candlelight Carols at Fremantle Arts Centre (1 Finnerty St, Fremantle)
Gates open at 6.30pm, carols begin at 8pm. Sing along to your favourite carols accompanied by WA’s most loved jazz outfit The Hip Mo’Toast led by Libby Hammer. Bring a rug, warm clothes and plenty of Christmas cheer!

Friday 26 December
Boxing Day shopping in Fremantle
Find yourself in Fremantle on Boxing Day, all major department stores, Fremantle Markets and many specialty shops open from 10am.

Click here for other events in Fremantle or contact
Fre-info on 9432 9888

[trading hours]

Not enough time to get everything ready for Christmas? Check out the extended shopping hours below. Shop in Fremantle every Friday night and come down on Boxing Day.