Join architect Fiona Giles for an extraordinary morning of board game playing at the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre during the Heritage Festival 2026!
Experience something truly special as you play Fiona’s unique board game, designed to tell the spatial stories of people who once lived and worked at the former Fremantle Asylum—the building that is now the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre.
This heritage event brings together architecture, history, and interactive gameplay over light refreshments. You’ll engage in meaningful conversations and discover new perspectives on the historical significance of the heritage WFAC building.
In this intimate gathering, up to eighteen participants will form three supportive groups to experience ‘Our Horrible Asylum’—a game that sensitively honours the difficult and often traumatic stories of those who lived and worked at the asylum. After gameplay, we’ll come together for a gentle, reflective discussion about how “playing history” creates connections with others and contributes to preserving our shared heritage.
Whether you’re a group of friends seeking a meaningful adventure together, a heritage enthusiast, or a board game lover looking for something different, this experience offers something special for everyone.
Bookings are essential as places are limited—we can’t wait to welcome you! You must be 18+.
About Fiona Giles
Fiona Giles is an architect from the UK who has been living and working in Western Australia since 2015. Fiona’s board game, ‘Our Horrible Asylum’, is an outcome of her Master of Philosophy research degree in communicating architectural heritage at Notre Dame Australia. Fiona was supported by WFAC during her studies with access to the rooms and architectural volumes at WFAC during a Studio Residency.
Building Accessibility:
Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre is a heritage-listed building with access limitations. While there are no lift facilities within the main building, the room in which this event will take place is wheelchair accessible. Please get in touch should you wish to discuss any individual access needs.
Event Content Warning:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the board game played and shared at this event may contain images and names of deceased persons. The board game played and shared at this event contains language and themes that may be confronting and challenging to some participants. Please get in touch should you wish to chat about specific content warnings.
