HAMILTON HILL needs a community hub if it’s to thrive, says a nascent residents group.

The Hamilton Hill Community Group has been searching for a venue where community organisations can meet and residents can gather for festivals and other events.

HHCG member Christine Duckham points to a recent public meeting about the suburb joining Fremantle having to be held in a Hilton Hall as an example of why the community is now arcing up.

“Memorial Hall is mostly taken up by the theatre group, and that’s ok, it’s not really suitable for what we need,” Mr Duckham said, adding they may start looking towards a private house.

• Christine Duckham’s opening her garden to raise awareness about wildlife corridors and Hami Hill’s need for a community hub. Photo by Steve Grant

Open garden

The group had been eyeing off the shops on the corner of Stratton and Kerry Streets, but the owner has since decided on a redevelopment.

To raise awareness about the HCGG is holding an open garden at Ms Duckham’s place in the shadow of Clontarf Hill today, Saturday October 22 from 10am to 4pm.

But it won’t be just a show of flowers, as she’s deliberately set up her yard to be a refuge for native animals, and as the Chook interviewed her, curious black cockatoos and a pair of galahs kept an eye on proceedings. Early in the morning a bobtail warms itself just outside her front door and there’s even a hotel for insects.

She says it’s important for people to realise the importance of their yards in providing refuges and corridors for native animals.

Ms Duckham says she’s getting frustrated that while the suburb has worn its share of density under a revitalisation scheme initiated by the council, it’s not been matched by an increase in amenities.

The HHCG had been thinking of moving to Wally Hagan Basketball Stadium, but she says there’s   talk of the basketball court moving to Cockburn Central.

“The council are making heaps of dosh from subdivisions in Hamilton Hill and we are losing tree canopy daily and all the money is going to Cockburn Central,” she says, describing the developments as “ugly, “not sustainable” and likely to reduce birdlife.

The open garden will feature workshops, talks food, music and raffles.

by KORO BROWN and STEVE GRANT