New signage celebrates City’s heritage

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Mid West Ports Authority CEO, Peter Klein, and City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, with the new signage at the Esplanade.

Did you know the Wajarri word for water is baba? Or that fossils reveal dinosaurs walked among the Moresby Ranges? Did you know the Esplanade gets its name from Geraldton’s first jetty which was built in 1857? Or that silos were first constructed at the Port in 1960?

As Heritage Week comes to an end, nine new signs, containing historical and contemporary information about Geraldton, the Port and surrounds have been installed along the Esplanade. 

Dating back to the 1840s, the area surrounding the Esplanade has a significant and long-spanning history. The interpretative and interactive signage includes knowledge and facts dating back to the 1840s through to today.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said visitors to the Esplanade would now be able to learn as they take in a spectacular 360 degree scenic view of the City.

“The series of signs are the perfect addition to the Esplanade,” he said.

“They will be enjoyed by everyone from locals, tourists, adults and kids.

“The signage enhances the area as well as providing both visitors and the community with historical and contemporary information about the surroundings.”

The City worked closely with the former Geraldton Port Authority, now Mid West Ports Authority, during the process and the signs provide a comprehensive coverage of the development of the Port.

An audio unit which will allow onlookers to hear the interaction between Captains and Harbour Masters as ships arrive and depart from the port will be installed in the near future. The installation of two telescopes will enable visitors to have a closer look at Port activities and shipping movements. 

If you aren’t watching the ships coming in, you can observe the birds and sea lions on Seal Rock. Signs contain information about these creatures as well as a number of other topics.

Themes displayed on the signage include:

  • The Esplanade
  • A timeline from beach landing to Port City
  • The Port at work
  • Geraldton’s connection to the world
  • Our sleepy sea lions
  • From land to sea
  • Homeland of the Yamatji
  • Scenes from a changing foreshore

Local researcher Dr Howard Gray, winner of a 2015 State Heritage Award announced this week, penned all the information for the new signs which have been beautifully designed and created by Creative Spaces, a company which specialises in interpretive signage and who were also recognised at the 2015 State Heritage Awards.

Funding for the entire Esplanade project was contributed from the City of Greater Geraldton, the Department of Regional Development through Royalties for Regions, Mid West Ports Authority, and the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (Regional Development Australia Fund).