THE Fremantle Navy Club’s High Street location is shutting up shop as the 80-year-old club searches for a new home. 

The Club has called 64 High Street home since 1993, after years of moving around the West End including Cliff Street and Marine Terrace. 

The club has struggled financially in recent times and had to put its High Street clubhouse on the market in order to recoup debt following “mismanagement” from a previous administration. 

As of publication, the venue on the corner of High and Packenham Streets is under offer. 

• The Navy Club’s been an “institution” for Fremantle’s live music scene.

On the hunt

Club president Mark Croom was keen to clarify they’re not shutting down, and are still on the hunt for a new spot. 

“Until the day that the building is sold and we get told we have to move out, we are open for business,” Mr Croom said. 

“Hopefully the offer will go through, it will be sold, and we will be able to get rid of our debt and move into another premises.” 

Losing the High Street venue is unfortunate, according to Mr Croom, as it’s become an “institution” for Fremantle’s live music scene in the West End. 

“It’s sad, because [the High Street location] is absolutely perfect,” Mr Croom said. 

“I don’t think there’s anywhere else like it in Fremantle… for a lot of our members, it’s like their second home, so it’s really sad for us to lose it.” 

The club has also been a launching pad for a number of local acts, according to Mr Croom.

“We’ve hosted various local and interstate bands’ album launches, as well as comedy shows,” he said. 

“Birds of Tokyo actually made a music video here… it’s quite an iconic Fremantle music institution.” 

Melbourne-based muso Mick Thomas will be performing at one of the final events at the High Street venue with his band Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission in December. 

Mr Thomas says the High Street location’s closure is typical of a changing of the guard in music venues that musicians “need to adjust to”, but is looking forward to honouring the space in its final shows. 

“We’ve played there plenty of times in our career, and it’s a really iconic place, because it’s representative of the old Fremantle,” Mr Thomas said. 

“It’s a piece of valid cultural history, and that top bar is one of the nicest bars in the country. 

• Visiting vessels regularly added to the club’s memorabilia.

Support

“People should come and have a look at it one last time, and just remind themselves that venues are only there if people support them, otherwise they will disappear.” 

The Navy Club will be continuing its search for a new home coming into the new year, according to Mr Croom. 

“I think the club will be better off for what we’re doing, to start afresh and get some new blood in here,” he said. 

“We’ll come out the other side, and there will still be a Navy Club presence for many years to come… there will just be a hiatus while we move out of the existing club and find a new premises.” 

Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission will be performing All Your Christmases at the Navy Club on Saturday, December 14.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER