Artworks on Spearwood Avenue acknowledge the Croatian community.
Below: The beginning of the Friendship Way.
Camera IconArtworks on Spearwood Avenue acknowledge the Croatian community. Below: The beginning of the Friendship Way. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Art pieces pat on back

Bryce LuffCockburn Gazette

In 2007 the City of Cockburn’s Sister City Committee resolved to dedicate the length of Spearwood Avenue as a “Friendship Way”, with the road split into six sections.

Each section is dedicated to the City’s relationships with its own community and communities around the world.

The Gazette has taken a look at the different sections of Spearwood Avenue, which opens at Cockburn Road in North Coogee and runs through to Beeliar Drive in Yangebup.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

We have started with Split in Croatia.

Cockburn’s first Sister City arrangement was set up in 1998 with Split in Croatia.

Symbols of the relationship, including an art piece called Cultivate, a giant checkerboard of red gravel and silver shrubs and three crowned golden leopard’s heads can be found between Barrington Street and Beeliar Drive in Yangebup.

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the partnership reflected the historical connection between the two cities, with many Cockburn residents settling locally after moving from Croatia.

“Much of the primary industry Cockburn is historically known for, such as market gardens, flower gardens, vineyards, orchards and fishing were started by these pioneering families alongside migrants from Italy, Portugal and other European countries,” he said.

The relationship has blossomed with delegations from both cities heading either way.

Mr Howlett said his Split counterpart had advised a return trip was likely this year “with an emphasis on shipbuilding, tourism and trade opportunities”.