Fremantle Ports supports creativity, community in Rockingham

Three outstanding artworks in the Castaways Sculpture Awards exhibition have been selected by the community as the winners of the Fremantle Ports People’s Choice Awards for 2023. 

 

Castaways is the City of Rockingham's signature arts and culture event and provides both emerging and professional artists with a chance to showcase their creative skills in an exhibition that highlights sculptures made from recycled and repurposed materials. 

In the Main Exhibition on Rockingham Foreshore, Baldivis-based artist Rachael Lemon won the $1,000 Fremantle Ports People's Choice Award for her artwork PeliCAN (not pelican’t). Secret Harbour artist Nicholas Thompson was a very close runner-up, with his sculpture Bad Habit-ats also a hit with the community. 

 

“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for Harley the PeliCAN. It fills me with immense joy to see how much families have enjoyed her, and I feel extremely proud that she has won the Fremantle Ports People’s Choice Award this year,” Lemon said. 

 

The $500 Fremantle Ports People's Choice Award – Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition, was taken out by Safety Bay artist Carol Clitheroe, for her work with Sail Away.

 

“I was really surprised to win this award. It is so nice that people liked the piece as much as I had making it!” Clitheroe said. 

 

Finally, the $250 Fremantle Ports People's Choice Award – Schools Exhibition was won by students from Settlers Primary School in Baldivis, for their work with The Tides Can Change!

 

“Settlers Primary are very honoured to have won the Castaways Sculpture Schools Award for 2023. Our sculpture encapsulated the sustainability message, to encourage people to change their way of life to help sustain our future for ourselves and every living creature on it. Our sculpture was called ‘The Tides Can Change’ to remind everyone that every day we can change our habits for a more promising future,” a school spokesperson said. 

 

Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin congratulated the People’s Choice Award winners on having the most popular sculptures at the event. 

 

“Since 2008, the Castaways Sculpture Awards has highlighted some outstanding artworks that convey important environmental messages,” Mayor Hamblin said. 

 

The winners of this year’s Fremantle Ports People’s Choice Awards have stood out among their peers and they should all be incredibly proud of their efforts. 

“Fremantle Ports has long been a sponsor of this award category, and the City is grateful for its ongoing support of this popular community event.”

 

 

In 2024 the Castaways Sculpture Awards will return from 19 October to 27 October 2024. 

 

First image: Mayor Deb Hamblin, Rachael Lemon, Carol Clitheroe, and Libby Collett, Government and Public Relations Advisor - Fremantle Ports. 

 

Second image: Mayor Hamblin with staff and students from Settlers Primary School. Pictures courtesy of the City of Rockingham.