02 - 11 : NEWS
Homeless forum calls for solutions
Ghost Walk
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In the freezing cold of winter the condensation drips down the walls of the dilapidated Balingup shed that Tricia Walton is forced to call home.
It gets so bad she has to keep a fan on to keep the air moving in an effort to control it, and she recently contracted pneumonia.
Heating the place is out of the question.
The old wood heater is too dangerous to use and an electric heater costs too much to run.
Renting the shed costs her $300 a week and she’s been living here since last November.
By the time she’s paid that and other expenses the disabled pensioner is frequently left with $65 a fortnight to live on.
So how does she survive on that?
“I do have friends in town that go through their freezer for me, and their pantries, if it wasn’t for them I’d be in deep pooh,” Ms Walton said.
“Sometimes I don’t have the fuel to come to town.”
When that happens she’s dependant on relatives to pay for fuel.
“But you can’t keep doing that to your in-laws, but they’re fine with it.”
Finding suitable accommodation in Bridgetown is well-nigh impossible.
Life wasn’t always this tough for her. For 10 years she worked in the northwest as a machine operator. Domestic Violence
That was before her violent ex-partner bashed her so badly she was left with scar tissue and a cyst on her brain that gave her seizures for seven months and saw her dependent on epilepsy medication.
As a result she lost her job because she couldn’t drive at the time.
“He used to kick me with steel-capped boots and that’s how I ended up with a titanium rod going up my spine and titanium rods in the bottom vertebrae.”
She’s also survived a bout of brain cancer.
But finding suitable accommodation that’s affordable in Bridgetown is well-nigh impossible. Good tenant
That’s despite good references from a real estate agent gained from when she rented a home in Kangaroo Gully for $360 a week for three years.
“Which was good,” she said.
She’s worked as a cleaner, loves gardening and will look after any home.
Through all her struggles this doggedly determined woman has maintained a lively sense of humour.
And despite everything that life’s thrown at her she’s adamant that she’s better off than people who are living in tents, or in their cars.
It’s a disturbing thought that she’s probably right. She says she’s aware of one woman living in a tent while raising a baby and another child in the bush around Greenbushes. FREE /AUGUST 2026
Ms Walton’s desperate to find somewhere better to live in Bridgetown where she’d be close to friends and relatives, and even a granny flat would suit her well, she said.
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The power of communities to make change was the message from Transition Bridgetown’s Open Space event at the Lesser Hall on the 19th of July.
It was an event that brought together a range of well-informed speakers to discuss the problem of homelessness prevalent in the community.
Setting the scene in a videotaped address, Dr Sarah Youngson spoke on the BridgetownGreenbushes Cross Agencies Alliance’s work on homelessness, family and domestic violence – issues which all too frequently co-exist.
She said it brought together agencies working on the problem in a collaborative way to support each other and work in a more cooperative way for the benefit of the community.
“This alliance allows us all to come together and think really big picture – think broadly and strategically about what is best for our community, and how we can actually work together to support each other’s organisations, not to be competing for funding, but to really be getting the most out of the resources that we have in our community,” Dr Youngson said.
Services lacking
Jenny Oliver, Manager at the Bridgetown Hub, spoke about the lack of domestic violence services and homelessness support in town in the face of increased demand for services.
While the Hub isn’t funded for social work services she said it had been forced to provide them because of the community need.
She has spoken to the Department of Community Services to provide services to the community.
One problem she highlighted was that according to census data there’s no homelessness in town, and it’s vital that the upcoming census on the 11th of August reflects the local reality.
With better data she can advocate for homelessness people’s needs more effectively.
“It would be cheaper to end homelessness than it is to treat it,” Ms Oliver said.
Intentional Communities
Irma Lachmund spoke on her experience living with Intentional Communities, a voluntary group of people with shared values or purpose that shared their lifestyle and resources and offered mutual support in a cooperative culture.
This problem is horrendous and I’d really like to find some solution-based outcomes.
They can take many forms, range widely in scale, and can use either existing or new dwellings.
Whatever their size, trust is essential in Intentional Communities.
She urged people to build an Intentional Community in Bridgetown that was adapted to local people’s needs and to learn from people already working in the space and support them, whether they were in WA or elsewhere.
She pointed out that the Shire of BridgetownGreenbushes Community Strategic Plan states its intention to plan for a diverse range of land, housing
and development opportunities to meet current and future needs.
The final speaker, David Chick spoke of his passion for living in Intentional Communities through his involvement in the Margaret River Community and living off the grid.
During the Forum session that followed Vangy Baker spoke of her experience in the domestic violence and homeless services sector, and of her personal experiences.
“At the moment I’m spending 12 to 18 hours a day helping the homeless who have contacted me,” she said.
“This problem is horrendous and I’d really like to find some solution-based outcomes.”
She said with funding she can provide homes and support services for 20 people.
“But it needs funding, that’s what it needs” she said.
Elizabeth Pellicaan shared her experience helping two people in the last six months and called for a public campaign to show humanity to the homeless.
Caring for them has proven to be an enormous personal job and she’s faced rejection from charities who can’t help.
“It was days and days of ringing up and getting ‘no’ constantly,” she said.
She has also faced long drives in her efforts to help people.
One particular frustration has been the challenge of finding ID for people who don’t have it.
“It’s been a huge learning experience,” she said.
She’s written to the Minister for Housing asking why things haven’t been done to help homeless people, and received the reply that it’s very kind of her to be helping them.
“My response is ‘yes, but it shouldn’t be up to people like me to pick up people living in parks.’ “
Bridgetown’s history was again brought to colourful life when the Historical Society presented its Ghost Walks to sold-out crowds in July.
This was the 10th year the Ghost Walks have entertained and enlightened Bridgetown residents and visitors alike with tales of strange happenings, ghostly apparitions and things that go bump in the night.
The host for the evening was “Sergeant Henry Stokes”, born in Ireland who arrived in Bridgetown in 1888 to run the town’s police station.
“I like to boast that I issued the first speeding ticket in Bridgetown in 1892 to Thomas Darcy O’Toole for riding furiously on horseback down Hampton Street,” he said.
After inducting a number of youngsters as “Junior Constables” for the evening Sergeant Stokes led the audience through Bridgetown’s chilly streets.
Stopping along the way we met “Mrs Ellis”, the Librarian of the Mechanics Institute which was built in 1878 where the Council building now stands.
She told the tale of the first librarian, Donald McKellar, a farmer on the Winnejup Road.
“Books were very expensive, so the idea was that people could borrow books and read periodicals for free, but they had to subscribe to borrow a book,” she said.
A ghost lives in the Shire building she said, recalling the haunting tale of one of the cleaners.
“The lady cleaner felt something go past her and she thought it was her husband. It wasn’t her husband, it was a man and he went straight past her and out through this wall here,” she said.
“It could be Donald McKeller, it could be somebody else, we don’t know.”
Next we heard the strange mystery of the Mayanup stones which rained softly down upon a farm house for several months in 1957. It’s a mystery that’s never been explained.
Stopping at the railway station we heard from the town’s earliest undertaker, Polly Dakin, who told the history of Bridgetown’s cemeteries.
“When you last leave these earthly portals and have to move-on I will be standing at the gate to greet you and show you your new eternal accommodation,” he said.
Next stop was one of Bridgetown’s most haunted buildings, where Cottagecore now stands.
It’s seen bowls mysteriously sliding across the counter, strange footsteps from the back rooms, items being rearranged and most recently price tags being removed overnight.
The Mulberry Tree Café is home to the ghost of a little girl, Enid, who’s seen at night. She tragically died in 1920 in the Geegeelup Brook.
The little girl is quite mischievous, rearranging perfume bottles overnight, and occasionally tipping them up.
The walk concluded with the curious tale of the runaway circus elephant at the Bridgetown Hotel. It disappeared into the night during a drunken change of ownership after breaking down the verandah post it was tethered to.
The walk concluded with the curious tale of the runaway circus elephant at the Bridgetown Hotel
Genetic engineering may hold the key to drastically reducing rabbit numbers in Australia.
Rabbits remain in plague proportions across Australia damaging agriculture, homes and gardens and the natural environment.
Bridgetown and Greenbushes is no exception, with numbers higher than normal and a lot of young ones about according to Jason Dearle, Operations Manager of Blackwood Biosecurity.
While biological control methods, myxomatosis and calicivirus, remain partially effective, the rabbits are increasingly gaining the upper hand in the ongoing biological arms race, with the rabbits breeding resistance to the diseases which also mutate and evolve.
Mr Dearle said that resistance to the latest K5 strain of Calicivirus was growing rapidly.
But the rabbits’ ascendancy may be about to change over the next decade thanks to a research effort at the University of Melbourne which aims to turn the rabbit’s legendary breeding ability against itself to radically reduce its numbers, ideally, to the point of extinction.
They’re developing a gene drive for rabbits.
Scientists insert a “selfish” genetic element that copies itself into offspring at far higher-than-normal inheritance rates.
The male rabbits then spread the gene drive by breeding normally, but all their female offspring
become infertile, while male offspring continue spreading the drive.
As infertile females accumulate, the number of breeding females plummets, triggering a rapid population decline.
The rabbits’ extremely high reproductive rate actually helps the drive move quickly through the population.
“It’s probably the most effective way of managing rabbits that we’ve ever had,” Mr Dearle said.
He thinks it will get close to eradicating rabbits, though some isolated pockets may still survive.
However, a lot of work is still to be done and its implementation is at least six-to-ten years away. Finding ways to protect the rabbit industry and people’s pets is part of the process.
In the meantime landowners will have to rely on traditional methods of control.
“Poison baiting is probably the most effective way of managing rabbits, but that’s restricted by property size and location and the level of risk to wildlife and domestic animals and livestock.
“So there are a lot of restrictions around baiting.” Warren fumigation is another option, as is warren destruction and even ferrets.
And despite the development of the gene drive he’d also like to see new viruses developed.
“You can never have enough tools to manage an invasive species – the more tools you’ve got the more options you’ve got,” he said.
Recycling efforts in Bridgetown are going from strength to strength with Containers for Change collecting and recycling over two million containers, providing money for community groups and individuals, and valuable employment for local people.
Containers for Change is run locally by Purple Plough, who took over the operation from Hastie Waste in 2024.
Purple Plough’s manager Iggy Van said he’s put a lot of effort into making the process easier for people with less chance of mistakes, and that educating people has been a big part of that.
“We’ve increased our intake over the 24/25 year by 60 per cent and last financial year we have done 2,035,691 containers,” he said with a laugh.
“That’s processed here at the Bridgetown Tip site where we operate.”
He said the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes and the Shire of Manjimup had been very supportive, making space available and strongly supporting the initiative.
Groups such as Lions and the schools are very active collecting containers which help their funding, but individuals as well, are gathering up their containers and collecting 10 cents for each one deposited.
The Blues at Bridgetown is also a major focus. In 2024 12,055 10c containers went into Containers for Change recycling bins at the event.
The Containers for Change scheme also ensures that the small businesses running it, such as Purple Plough, remain viable social enterprises.
Mr Van said that while it doesn’t make a profit it covers its costs and pays wages while offering flexible hours that suit its workers and himself.
We’ve increased our intake over the 24/25 year by 60 per cent and last financial year we have done 2,035,691 containers
The scheme continues to expend and grow, increasing the range of bottles it accepts.
Any container from 150ml to three litres is now eligible, apart from milk bottles, which are recyclable but not refundable.
Even wine casks can now be accepted, but keep the bladders inside them.
It’s a heavily regulated industry to prevent fraud, with meticulous record-keeping essential to ensure everyone gets the correct refund.
“If we have got questions we ring people up or send them messages, and the improvement that we’ve seen over the last two years has been really good.”
He said that he doesn’t get many complaints from people as a result of well trained staff and good systems being in place.
People are always pleased to be receiving the proceeds of the scheme.
While the range of refundable containers has increased some things are still ruled out.
“Ceramics is an absolute no-no! That really creates an issue with glass recycling,”
That includes Grolsch beer bottles with their flippable ceramic cap.
PVC bottles, such as the old Cottee’s cordial bottles, are also out, as are Yakult bottles.
“We don’t expect people to know that so we’ll fish them out whenever it’s not supposed to be in there.”
Containers for Change is all about separating and sorting the waste.
“Waste sorting is a very important thing because it makes waste much more valuable.”
“People can always contact us if they have questions,” Mr Van said.
The origins of the Hampton Street carpark’s hole in the ground go back a long way.
When water started springing from the asphalt of the Hampton Street carpark on the morning of the 10th of July Shire of Bridgetown - Greenbushes’ staff assumed it was a burst water main and immediately called the Water Corporation.
But the source of the stream that was by then spilling out onto Hampton Street turned out to be anything but straightforward, and fixing it proved quite a challenge for the Shire.
Water Corporation staff quickly established that a burst water main wasn’t the culprit, and with that ruled out the Shire thought a stormwater system might have ruptured, but at the time it hadn’t been raining, effectively ruling that out as well.
Groundwater rising to the surface was also a possibility.
The clue that solved the mystery came the following day with the news that there was no water supply at the Visitor Centre.
Water meter
The source turned out to be a damaged water meter that serviced the Ashbil Community Garden and the Visitor Centre.
The damage resulted in water pumping through the pipes and coming out of the ground some distance away in the carpark.
The Shire then isolated the water meter and stopped the water pumping out.
“It seems that it’s a really old, old legacy system that would have been owned by the PTA (Public Transport Authority) years ago and it would have been servicing the rail system, the water tower, the steam engines, all that sort of stuff, so it’s that old,” said Morgan Gillham, Director of Projects and Environment at the Shire.
He said the Shire would reach out to the PTA to see if there was any record of where the pipeline went.
“So it’s getting bigger than Ben Hur, but I suspect I’ll need to abandon everything east of the water meter and start again.”
After the water main was isolated to prevent further water damage investigations were carried out to find the exact source of the leak and how it can be fixed.
The damage to the car park has now been fixed, making it safe and usable again.
Shire CEO Garry Adams said the Shire would continue to monitor the carpark’s surface to determine whether any long-term damage had been done to its sub-structure.
The traffic cones have been removed and it’s back to normal for the carpark.
“It is proof that wonderful things happen when communities believe in an idea and work together to make it real.”
One of Bridgetown’s premier tourist attractions is open for business.
Puzzletown was packed for the official opening of the biggest jigsaw gallery in the southern hemisphere and the unveiling of its 54,000 piece Travel Around Art puzzle – the world’s biggest on the 4th of July.
Welcoming guests to the event, Tessa Dittrich, President of the Bridgetown Greenbushes Business and Tourism Association, thanked the volunteers and Shire personnel for supporting the project, along with the businesses, community members and groups for their contribution.
She added that the support of the Western Australian Government through the Forestry Transition Program had also been crucial.
“That funding has allowed us not simply to preserve a wonderful piece of Bridgetown history, but to reimagine it for a new generation of visitors and secure its future as a major tourism attraction for our region,” she said.
Bevan Eatts, Member for Warren Blackwood, was on hand to pull the ribbon to ceremonially open the door.
Moving inside, Ms Dittrich went on to describe Puzzletown’s vital partnership with Mr Bob Puzzles which started in 2018 with the revitalization of the then Brierley Jigsaw Gallery.
“When retirement beckoned, Mr Bob entrusted us with the opportunity to continue his remarkable legacy, allowing us to purchase and relocate his business here to Bridgetown,” she said.
“This makes Puzzletown6255 incredibly unique –not simply a puzzle display, but a creator of puzzles too, with a focus on the work of our own local artists and photographers”
Mr Bob’s workshop was then unveiled revealing the workshop behind the window.
Proceedings then moved on to the Jessie Brierley Gallery, commemorating the memory of the woman whose collection of jigsaw puzzles gifted to the community started the project.
Jessie Brierley’s family have continued the jigsaw tradition by donating completed puzzles that now form the Descendant’s Collection.
The day’s events culminated with the unveiling of the massive 54,000 piece Travel Around Art Puzzle by Puzzletown’s generous donor Grahaem Donovan and his family.
Mr Donovan, the owner of Nelsons Motel, was central to Puzzletown’s development. A passionate supporter of the project, his generosity and enthusiasm has been vital to its success.
“Puzzletown6255 is far more than a gallery,” Ms Dittrich concluded.
“It is proof that wonderful things happen when communities believe in an idea and work together to make it real.”
Dungeons and Dragons at the Winterfest saw 300 enthusaists of the role-playing game gather at the Showgrounds.
To outside observers it’s a bit of a curious obsession, with a multi-sided dice, a board, and adults huddled around a table and frequently wearing strange clothes.
But on the 18th and 19th of July 300 Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts gathered at the showgrounds for the Blackwood D&D Winterfest.
It was a two day celebration of a game that’s been enchanting players since its invention in 1974 as a game that simulates historical battles using miniature figures and dice.
The game has grown far beyond its humble beginnings.
What started as a niche offshoot of tabletop war gaming became a global cultural force, inspiring video games, novels, blockbuster films and even university courses on storytelling.
In the 1980s it was briefly swept up in a moral panic, accused of everything from encouraging witchcraft to corrupting youth, yet the game not only survived but flourished.
Today more than 50 million people worldwide have played D&D, and its fifth edition is the most popular yet.
To those swept up in the game it’s collaborative, it’s social, and it’s endlessly creative.
“It does seem very strange as an outside observer,” said Orion, one of the event’s organisers.
“But really it’s kind of adult make-believe where you’re playing as fantasy heroes and going on
adventures and saving the world, but you’re sitting around a table – instead of kids playing with wooden swords you’re adults sitting around a table with tiny miniatures that you describe what they do,” he said.
“It’s a great way for creative folks to play without having to run around a field and maybe feeling a little bit silly in that way.”
He said it was also a great way to stay in touch with friends when everybody was so busy with work.
A lot of people who have been friends for years catch up every week or fortnight over a game of D&D, he said.
The weekend was divided up into daytime sessions as well as a campaign game that unfolded across the weekend.
While some played just the one game others took advantage of the weekend by playing several games across the weekend.
A Saturday night game was for adults with a liquor license lubricating the evening.
“The adults get to play without worrying about kids on the table, they get to unwind a little bit.”
Orion said the ages over the weekend ranged from 12 and up.
He’s only been playing for about five years and started playing after his brother introduced him to the game.
“It very quickly took off as an interest and now I help out here and I also run a Dungeons and Dragons school at BYA in town and in Manjimup.
Orion has been playing Dungeons and Dragons for five years.
It does seem very strange as an outside observer
Permaculture is an important movement in the quest for sustainability.
Permaculture is one of Australia’s most influential ecological exports.
Practised in more than 140 countries, it has inspired millions of people to rethink how they live, grow food and care for the environment.
Yet despite its global reach, it remains a relatively misunderstood concept.
Many people assume Permaculture is simply a style of gardening and I recently watched an online homesteader demonstrate how to start a “Permaculture garden” by laying down cardboard, covering it with mulch and planting into it.
While it may be a useful gardening technique, it isn’t what Permaculture is.
At its heart, Permaculture is a design philosophy. It provides a framework for creating systems that are productive, resilient and regenerative.
These principles can be applied to almost anything — from organising your pantry or designing a home garden to planning businesses, neighbourhoods and even entire towns.
Indigenous Cultures
Permaculture draws inspiration from the careful observation of natural ecosystems and from Indigenous cultures around the world that have sustained themselves in one place for countless generations.
These societies demonstrate that it is possible to meet human needs while maintaining healthy landscapes, strong communities and a deep sense of belonging.
When we consider that modern society often relies on food that’s transported thousands of kilometres before it reaches our plates and the rates of chronic illness, anxiety and social isolation continue to rise, it becomes clear that many of our current systems are not designed to support the people or the planet.
Permaculture offers a practical alternative — one that seeks to reconnect communities, regenerate ecosystems and create abundant, interconnected systems that benefit all forms of life.
Australian Origins
It was developed in the 1970s by two visionary Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren.
Permaculture is founded on three simple ethics: Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share.
These ethics are supported by twelve practical design principles that help guide thoughtful decision-making in every aspect of life.
draws inspiration from the careful observation of natural ecosystems.
Permaculture has changed the course of my own life.
One of its greatest strengths is that it encourages positive, practical action. Thoughtful changes
Rather than searching for quick fixes, it focuses on making small, thoughtful changes that accumulate over time and create lasting benefits for future generations.
While many global challenges feel beyond our control, Permaculture reminds us that meaningful change often begins close to home — in our gardens, neighbourhoods and communities.
It inspires me to imagine what our towns could look like if they were designed in harmony with nature.
And it gives me hope that the economic and industrial systems we have created can also be redesigned to better serve both the people and the planet.
If you’d like to learn more about Permaculture, attend one of our workshops or simply have a chat, I’d love to hear from you.
Bridgetown business excellence is being recognised by the Blackwood Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Bridgetown Businesses making an outstanding contribution will be recognised on the 17th of October at the Blackwood Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business Excellence Awards.
Every business in the Shire of BridgetownGreenbushes is invited to join and the public will get to vote for the winner.
It’s your chance to thank those businesses that make Bridgetown the community the great community that it is.
The winners will receive a trophy, a certificate, 12 months’ membership to the Chamber of Commerce and the chance to compete for State Awards. State Awards
Chamber of Commerce President, Tracey Hodgkins said that for local businesses to be eligible for those important State Awards they have to enter through the local Chamber.
That’s never happened before.
“So it means we’ve never had any of our businesses recognised at a regional level,” Mrs Hodgins said.
“This is actually part of our regional prosperity plan and one of the things we wanted to do is to basically highlight what bloody fantastic businesses we have here.
“It is amazing the diversity and what people are doing at the moment … I’ve just had a look at the voting - it’s 560 votes so far and 76 nominees.
“It’s going well and I think people want to recognise the businesses that are here,” she said.
There are eight categories in the awards: Sustainable Business Excellence; Community Impact Awards; Tourism and Hospitality Excellence; Trades and Construction; Retail; Services; Creative Industries and Artisan; and Agribusiness and Value-Added Producer.
There’s also the overall Business of the Year Award, which is chosen from the individual categories by the Chamber of Commerce.
Voting for your favourite business is now open with the formal launch kicking off on the 4th of August at 6pm at the Karma Llama Lounge with drinks and networking.
It promises to be a great way to chat with fellow business owners over a drink and to catch up with friends.
You’ll need to have your votes in by the 3rd of September, with the finalists announced on the 24th of September, when the shortlist will be made public.
The Awards Gala on the 17th of October will celebrate local business excellence with a sit-down dinner with locally sourced food and wine, live entertainment and an awards presentation with winners collecting their well-earned trophies.
By Consumer Protection WA
Have you noticed some restaurants and bars adding an automatic tip or a pre-selected gratuity appearing to your bill?
While tipping is common in some countries, Australia has traditionally operated on a wage-based system where tipping is voluntary but recently, we’ve been seeing in a dark pattern of automatic tipping which can sometimes also be disguised in ‘hidden fees’ or ‘drip pricing’.
Businesses can ask for a tip, and in some circumstances, they may add a service charge, but they must be transparent about it and not mislead consumers, about the true price they will pay.
Under Australian Consumer Law, businesses must clearly communicate the total price, including any unavoidable or pre-selected fees, before you commit to an order.
Automatic tipping commonly happens in hospitality when people pay in-person through eftpos, use QR code ordering or ride-sharing or food delivery apps.
Sometimes an online ordering platform can offer a pre-selected tip, provided you can clearly see and adjust or remove it before completing the transaction, but when you’re dining in, this may not always be clear.
That’s why it’s important to always ask for an itemised bill so you can check the total amount and see if a compulsory tip” or “gratuity” has been included.
Many people may not be aware that if a tip/gratuity/or service fee has been automatically added to your bill without the venue disclosing it to you upfront, the fee can be removed on request.
Another way a business can add on costs is when extra charges are hidden or only revealed at the final stage of a transaction.
This is known as “drip pricing”, where consumers are attracted by one price only to discover additional mandatory charges later in the purchase process.
Businesses must be upfront and clearly disclose to consumers at the start of a purchasing process the types of fees that will apply and when.
A “tip” or “gratuity” is different from a surcharge which is commonly added during public holidays or weekends and is allowed - provided they are properly disclosed.
Consumers must be able to see this information before ordering, for example a note on the menu.
Transparency
The bottom line for service charges or automatic gratuities is transparency.
When dining-out or ordering food through a QR code or online platform, take your time to review the itemised bill or checkout screen and remember:
• Any mandatory service charges must be clearly communicated well in advance
• Optional service charges must never be automatically added to a bill
If you’re unsure, ask staff to explain any additional charges you do not understand.
Mathew Burnett is an awardwinning cabinet and furniture maker dedicated to his craft.
In an age of flat pack furniture when you need a black belt in IKEA just to assemble your new king-sized bed it’s refreshing to discover people still passionately committed to the traditional art of quality cabinet and furniture making.
Mathew Burnett’s dedication to his craft has just seen him carry off three awards at the 2026 WA Cabinet Making Awards: The Best Bathroom Under $10,000; The Best Kitchen Under $30,000; and The Best Kitchen from $30,000 to $50,000.
The accolades don’t end there. He also won Best Kitchen Under $30,000 in 2024 and has been a runner up in multiple categories in the years in between.
The Bridgetown cabinet maker is driven by a quest for constant improvement and values the awards as a way to benchmark himself against the best his industry has to offer.
“For me it became let’s see where our product really does fit into the market, if it’s not a winner, why is it not a winner and what can you do better?” Mr Burnett said.
“On a business level it’s really nice to say to our team ‘hey, you guys are part of this, you guys produce a really good standard of work,’ it’s not just them listening to their boss saying ‘do it better’.”
“I guess on a personal level it’s validation that my business model works and the philosophy we’ve built behind craftsmanship works.”
He’s been in business as Made by Mathew for five years, but before that worked with his mentor and friend Glen Holst, who’s worked on projects including St Mary’s Cathedral, Bunbury Cathedral and Woodside’s Executive Office, and other companies.
“I was taught very fine craft and I was taught why you build things … not the what to do but the why you do it.”
I was taught very fine craft and I was taught why you build things … not the what to do but the why you do it.
“That’s the part of the industry that’s really been taken away and the part that I really want to see brought back.”
He thinks furniture design has moved away from intricate fine craftsmanship, and with the rising cost of labour in Australia, cabinet making becomes an assembly process that’s less about those working in the workshop, and more about the machines.
The problem then becomes that Australian manufacturers are forced to compete with China, and endlessly replacing skilled labour with machines.
“That connection to traditional craft is important to us, but so is the future of the trade.
PHOTO: MADE BY MATHEW
“I feel strongly that cabinetmaking training needs to remain connected to real workplace practice.
“Apprentices should not just be taught isolated tasks, but the deeper principles behind the work: machining, materials, design, finishing, hardware, installation, accuracy, sequencing and problem solving.
“The best tradespeople understand why something works, not just how to copy a process.”
With the end of the native forest logging it is getting hard, or even impossible, to obtain native timbers.
“If you want to work with it you’re going to spend a lot of money and a lot of time trying to collaborate with a lot of different sources.
“You’re not going to be able to ring up one sawmill and say I need this much jarrah, you’re going to have to find logs, purchase logs, get them sawn, all of that sort of stuff – the process just becomes more expensive.”
While he’s confident that his business could flourish easily elsewhere in the state, he’s happy to be based in Bridgetown selling work in the region while moving further afield for bespoke high-end projects.
And that’s good news for Bridgetown homeowners who appreciate the traditional craftsmanship of well-made cabinetry and furniture.
An afternoon of crime was just the tonic for a group of local writers.
Cunning criminal conspiracies and murder most foul was afoot in the Bridgetown Library on the 25th of June when nine aspiring crime writers gathered for a writing workshop led by award-winning writer Sarah Evans, author of the Eve Rock series, and many others.
She was quick to get the creative juices flowing challenging us to dash out characters and scenarios from random words and objects pulled from a box. Some very imaginative responses emerged in mere minutes.
The variety of crime stories was covered with an emphasis on the importance of a good story presenting clues that the reader expects to solve.
There was lively discussion among some experienced writers on the merits of using the first or third person, and writers were encouraged to push the boundaries with complex characters.
Sarah outlined the structure of a good crime novel and how the various elements come together, emphasising the importance of character development and realistic dialogue.
The workshop was presented by Sisters in Crime Australia, a national organization supporting and promoting women crime writers that’s been going since 1991.
It also presented a lively event the same evening in the library when Sarah Evans hosted a conversation between criminal lawyers Lindy Porter and Jeremy Scudds.
It proved a fascinating conversation for a packed room of people who were keen on writing crime or just plain curious about the criminal justice system.
The couple have a background as social workers, binging a unique perspective to their work as lawyers and making for an engaging discussion and Q&A session for the audience.
She was quick to get the creative juices flowing challenging us to dash out characters and scenarios from random words and objects pulled from a box.
Mr Scudds described how every case is different and crimes are never the same.
He said his background in social work gave him an understanding of non-verbal language and insight into the class structure of the legal system.
He had some criticism of many judges who came from a privileged private school background and tend to look down on the working class people who come before them.
And there was some sage advice for anyone considering a career in criminal law.
“If you think you’re going to make money in crime, well you’re never going to make money in crime.”
For lawyers, it seems, crime really doesn’t pay.
Once a year the Bridgetown Bulldogs Football Club powers up and turns into teams of superheroes!
Kids will pull on their capes, take to the field, and enjoy a fun-filled session of footy, with every kick and every goal helping to raise vital funds for The Kids’ Cancer Project.
The Bulldogs are kicking goals for a future where every child survives cancer.
SATURDAY 1st AUGUST 9.45 AM
Bridgetown Football Club
Hear ye! Hear ye! Be it now proclaimed that the Balingup Medieval Carnivale will gather lords, ladies, noble knights and wretched peasants on the 22nd and 23rd of August for a weekend of blood-curdling combat, vibrant music and spectacular dragon burning!
Good people of Bridgetown are duly summonsed to enjoy the colourful costumes, lively parades, bustling stalls and general merriment.
SATURDAY 22nd AUGUST Balingup
Capturing the South West brings the region’s landscapes, wildlife and community moments into focus at the Bridgetown Visitor Centre.
The Bridgetown Camera Club’s latest exhibition showcases striking images from local photographers, celebrating the beauty and character of the South West.
Drop in throughout August to explore the collection.
MONDAY 3rd to MONDAY 31st AUGUST
Bridgetown Visitor Centre
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life at the ABBA Mama Mia Movie and Dance Party!
Who says nostalgia isn’t what it used to be? Here’s an event that promises to transport you back to the glorious 70s with some of the best music ever recorded.
It promises to be the social event of the year, so break out the glitter, unpack that mini skirt ladies, fellas dust off the platform soles (remember them?) and get dancing!
SATURDAY 15th AUGUST
Bridgetown Town Hall
Young Adult Fantasy author Bianca Breen joins local writers for an afternoon of book chat at the Pottery-Restaurant.
Bianca is returning to Bridgetown to help inspire a new generation of budding wordsmiths. Local authors Sarah Evans and Steve Heron will also host sessions.
See the full program at bridgetownwritersfest.au, where you’ll find something to interest aspiring writers and curious readers.
SATURDAY 29th AUGUST
Bridgetown Pottery Restaurant
An elegant fundraising ball at the Bridgetown Town Hall offers a memorable way to support the vital work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Guests can enjoy an evening of fine food, live entertainment and warm community spirit, all while contributing to an organisation that provides essential care across regional Australia. It’s a chance to dress up, come together and make a meaningful difference.
SATURDAY 29th AUGUST
Bridgetown Town Hall
Rowland Benjamin runs Information for Action a not-for-profit environmental group that uses the internet, cartoon books, music video and theatre to explain environmental problems and their solutions. This cartoon is from his most recent book Eco Freako Cartoons Volume Two Copies of both books - Volume One and Two, can be obtained directly from Rowland at the Sunday Bridgetown market. https://ecofreakocartoons.com/
Letters
Find
direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in
Digital technology seems clean and weightless, but the cloud is a network of data centres, servers, cables, mines and factories.
AI, cryptocurrency and data storage consume electricity, water and minerals.
Bitcoin’s proof-of-work system is especially energy intensive, while large AI models create growing demand.
Fossil-powered facilities produce carbon emissions, and mining materials can damage habitats, pollute water and create toxic waste.
Rapid equipment replacement adds electronic waste, while data centres may cause noise, light pollution and pressure on local grids.
Renewable energy, efficient cooling, smaller AI models, lower-energy cryptocurrencies, repairable equipment and strong environmental standards can reduce these hidden impacts.
Rowland Benjamin
Chilly winter mornings are no deterrent to this group of enthusiastic cyclists.
E-bikes are a revelation for those of us who are getting on in years, who still love the idea of cycling, but find those hills and headwinds a bit daunting.
For one group of keen Bridgetown cyclists E-bikes are the key to getting some exercise while enjoying the company of their fellow cyclists.
On a Sunday morning in July that was cold enough to render anyone’s brass monkey incomplete 16 of them gathered at Greg and Jude Miller’s property on the Greenbushes-Boyup Brook Road for their regular social ride.
It’s a group with no name, no office-bearers and a minimum of organisation that’s simply dedicated to riding, socialising, and enjoying each other’s company, and of course, a really good brunch.
After an hour’s ride that covered 25km through the Catterick bush tracks they deserved it.
While it’s open to all ages, most in the group are getting on in years, with many in their 70s and even their late 80s, with the oldest 87. E-bikes certainly help to extend riding ages.
They’re a dedicated bunch who usually ride on Thursdays and Sundays, with the occasional 50km ride. Now that’s commitment!
They’ve been doing so for 12 years now and are always keen to see some new faces on the trails.
If riding e-bikes with a bunch of friendly folks who are great company sounds like your sort of thing get in touch with John Birks on 0437 174 745.
BKOJONUP 22.20 (152)
4.6 (30)
ridgetown Bulldogs player Kalani Brooks is facing a long suspension and possible assault charges following his alleged king hit on Kojonup’s Kyle Smith during the match on Sunday the 26th of July.
The punch left Smith unconscious on the ground with facial injuries and concussion before he was helped off the ground by trainers and taken to Kojonup Hospital for treatment.
Video footage shows Brooks striking Smith before running off to continue in the play.
The incident sparked a melee and Brooks was sent off the ground in the final quarter.
At the time of writing the Bridgetown Bulldogs declined to comment while the incident was under investigation by the Country Football WA tribunal. Police were called to the oval and the incident is under investigation.
The Bridgetown-Greenbushes Star is not suggesting Mr Brooks is guilty of any crime. Bulldogs thrashed
It was the low point of a bad day for the Bulldogs who were thrashed by 122 points.
With a strong wind blasting straight down the ground and the threat of rain it was always going to
be a question of who handled the difficult conditions better.
Kicking with the aid of the wind, it didn’t take long for the Cougars to open the scoring, with the Bulldogs scoreless at quarter time against Kojonup’s 5.11.
Kojonup did well to restrict Bridgetown’s scoring with the wind behind them in the second quarter before they piled on 11 unanswered goals in a dominant third quarter.
Heading for home, the Cougars kicked another five goals, with the Bulldogs’ miserable half time total of six behinds in a game best forgotten about. More pictures page 19
