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Happy hump day folks…
That’s right — another day, another long-form banger from Sal, this time diving into something I know a lot of Western Australians (and particularly Fremantle's Italian community) hold dear: the Blessing of the Fleet. It’s on again this Sunday, and with the 80th anniversary coming up next year, Sal went on a little mission down to the Port City to chat to a couple of key players to find out what it’s all about.
We’ve actually got a cheeky WA history double today, as down the bottom you’ll find a fascinating look back at the Knowles family, who claimed a UFO lifted their car off the road while they were crossing the Nullarbor in 1988!
As for the rest of the tasty fillings in between those two slices of WA history, well, you'll just have to keep scrolling…
Troy Mutton, Editor-In-Chief, Perth is OK!
FORGOTTEN PERTH
Faith, Family, Fremantle: The enduring legacy of the Blessing of the Fleet
Once a year, on the third Sunday of October, a vibrant procession winds through the streets of Fremantle, making its way from St Patrick’s Basilica to the Fishing Boat Harbour.
Amongst the parade and its colourful flags are children dressed as angels, traditional fishermen, in tricolore skirts and as little Carabinieri – miniature versions of the Italian gendarmerie. And held aloft by the procession? Precious cargo: the Madonna dei Martiri and the Madonna del Capo d’Orlando.
This is the Blessing of the Fleet, a tradition that has been carried out in Fremantle for the past 79 years – ensuring an abundant season and the divine protection of the fishing crews and their vessels.
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CCAPTUREDC
‘Gram of the Week
Where were Scully and Mulder when you needed them?
More spooky season fun as we dive deep into the story of the Knowles family, who say they encountered a UFO while crossing the Nullabor back in 1988.