Esperance Tide September 2023

Esperance Tide launched in December 2016 as a small guide to what was happening in Esperance over summer. It was a little rough around the edges - black and white, printed on a home printer, and made up of gig guides and sample menus from local eateries. However, it was welcomed with open arms by the community, and this support is what helped that little booklet become the magazine it is today. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. With the ongoing rise of printing costs, we’ve had to make the hard decision to bid farewell to our much-loved mag. This issue - our 101st issuewill be our last.

Thank you to everyone who has joined me on my journey over the last seven years of the Tide . To our present-day editorial team, with Hannah Siemer leading the helm as editor, and Karli Florisson and Rosie Henderson running around town chasing stories each month, thank you for your passion and your drive, and your quest to make each issue more interesting than the last. Thank you to Kyza Smithson - one of our original contributors! - for your musical ramblings and Katie White for your botanical input. And to Jesse McCarthy-Price for the time and creative magic you put into writing for the Tide back in its earlier production.

Thank you to those who have been there from the beginning, and continue to support the Tide today. Margot Siemer, our #1 supporter and self-appointed mascot who has helped deliver the Tide each and every month, Lucy Vincent for your photography, Jackson Vincent for your unforgettable food reviews, Elaine Siemer for both contributing your wisdom as Mindful Merve back in the day and undertaking top up duties, and my parents Antoinette Vincent and Drewe Vincent for coming up with our monthly columns Bush Banter and Surf Report as well as helping wherever they could.

Thank you to all our advertisers, big and small. A special thank you to the Shire of Esperance, Shelley Payne MLC, Lucky Bay Brewing, Sir Juice, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Cannery Arts Centre and Esperance Bay Dental for your ongoing support. And to Freight Lines Group for bringing the Tide to Esperance every month - we wouldn’t be here without you!

And lastly, thank you to YOU! Our readers. Thank you for flicking through our pages over the last seven years. For your contributions, compliments, and occasional criticisms! And for helping us grow into something greater than we ever imagined possible.

It’s goodbye for now, not forever. Until we meet again…

B RONTE V INCENT Founder

Established in 2016, Esperance Tide is a free, monthly publication that shares our community’s most uplifting and inspiring stories. We strive to support small business and community events, and champion the heroes that reside within our region. Esperance Tide is 100 per cent locally and independently owned.

Esperance Tide acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work and play, the Kepa Kurl Wudjari people of the Nyungar nation and Ngadju people, and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bronte Vincent bronte@esperancetide.com

EDITORIAL

Hannah Siemer hannah@esperancetide.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Karli Florisson Rosie Henderson

Kyron Smithson Katie White

Tagged in Town

@_johnson_maria_ Whale and calf!

@dailybittabec Wharton Beach.

@byrosiehenderson Oh summer days, just around the corner!

@_graceb__ Absolutely dying for summer.

@bourguigui Sun's out.

@willameenandme Coffee shop scene.

As the Tide Drifts Out…

BRONTE VINCENT

Founder & Creative Director

From a black and white booklet printed on a home printer to a full colour magazine, the Tide has come a long way in its 101 issues. It’s an evolution that Founder and Creative Director Bronte Vincent never planned, nor expected. “The vision wasn’t clear when we first started printing back in December 2016, but over time it formed its own identity based on reader feedback and the town’s offerings,” Bronte says. “It really is a publication created by the community.”

With a background in graphic design, Bronte has loved the freedom to be creative within the pages of the Tide . Her aim has always been to give the magazine a fresh and youthful appearance, to attract a younger demographic than traditional print media. The intention of the content, however, is to appeal to everyone. In turn, there is no ‘average’ Tide reader, with the publication picked up by a range of people, from teens to the elderly, locals and visitors alike. “We’ve always aimed for total inclusivity,” Bronte says. “The result is a publication with a positive feel, and an amazing response from the community.”

The Tide has been a labour of love for Bronte, who is not only the Creative Director but also the ‘director’ of accounts, advertising sales, administration, delivery, and social media. There have been many hurdles along the way, but Bronte says it has all been worth it. “It’s a hard industry,” she says. “But

I love receiving the final product at the end of the month. That has always been so satisfying.”

Unfortunately, a sharp increase in printing costs means the Tide is not sustainable in its current form and after crunching the numbers, it was decided to suspend operations. But Bronte knows that when one door closes, another opens, and new projects are on the horizon. “It is sad to say goodbye but I’m ready for a new chapter,” she says. “It’s time to take a break, focus on other things for a while and see what happens.”

OPENING HOURS

MON-FRI 8-3

SATURDAY 8-2

After almost seven years, it’s time to say goodbye to our beloved little mag. Our team take a look back at how we came to be here, and reflect on our time spent collating and creating Esperance Tide.

HANNAH SIEMER

Editor

The pandemic brought Hannah Siemer back to her hometown in 2020, after almost a decade away. Having followed the publication from afar, she was keen to support the Tide in any way she could upon her return. “When I came back to Esperance we were in lockdown and the future of the Tide was uncertain,” Hannah says. “But, like many in the community, I was keen to see it continue so I offered to give Bronte a hand.”

Hannah has a background in journalism, having worked for the Esperance Express and Kalgoorlie Miner in her late teens and early 20s. She says writing for the Tide has been a very different experience to chasing down hard news, and she’s enjoyed telling uplifting and inspiring stories that people were eager to share. “I never thought I’d return to media, but it’s been quite cathartic working for the Tide ,” Hannah says. “I’ve enjoyed having the freedom to deep dive into what makes our community unique.”

During her time with the Tide , Hannah has written about a variety of topics. She admits that one of her favourite pieces to write was a hot chip review, which required her to taste hot chips from every takeaway outlet in town. “It’s not exactly Walkley Award winning stuff but it’s quirky pieces like these that give the Tide its unique character,” Hannah says. “Bronte and I loved coming up with ideas that

were a bit naff but would hopefully bring a smile to the reader’s face.”

Hannah has also enjoyed being able to champion local women. Some of her favourite pieces have been those highlighting female small business owners, women working in male dominated industries, and girls succeeding in sport. “I hope these stories continue to be shared long after the Tide ,” Hannah says. “It’s vital we continue to celebrate each other in a public forum, in order to inspire one another and keep the town moving forward.”

WHERE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE BEGINS...

KARLI FLORISSON Writer

A desire to share local history led Karli Florisson to the Tide in 2018. When Karli returned to Esperance after time spent studying and travelling, she rediscovered the amazing stories from her hometown’s past. Since her first ‘Five Minute History’ five years ago, Karli has written more than 60 history articles for the Tide , covering vast topics, from shipwrecks to local landmarks. “I never seem to run out of ideas,” Karli says. “There are so many fascinating stories, and they deserve a wider audience.”

Of all the stories she’s told, Karli’s favourites are those of Esperance’s pioneering women. “The characters that stand out to me are women like Sarah Brooks, Emily Dempster, Thelma Chadwick, and Effie Turner, who persisted despite the difficulties and hardships they faced,” Karli says. “These women might not be as well-known as some of the men from our history, but their stories should be remembered.”

Karli has also penned many stories of today’s local heroes. For Karli, the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful aspects of Esperance, from hardworking volunteers to the abundance of cultural events, has been a highlight of working on the Tide . “I've loved writing about Esperance locals doing interesting, adventurous, or innovative things,” she says. “There are some great people in Esperance doing heroic things, often without fanfare.”

While Karli plans to continue sharing the region’s history through other projects, she says she will miss the challenge of writing something new every month. “We've all done our best to make each issue informative, interesting, and positive,” she says. “I've always been incredibly proud of my involvement with the Tide . I'll miss sitting down with a cuppa and having a read of all the other great content from the other contributors. And I'll miss all the great chats with people who appreciate the Tide and the work that we've put into it.”

ROSIE HENDERSON

Photographer & Writer

Rosie Henderson’s first assignment for the Tide was capturing the opening of the Esperance Jetty in 2021. It was a momentous occasion for the town, and Rosie, who has since gone on to contribute countless photos and stories to the Tide , considers the event to be one of her most memorable. “It was one of the happiest and largest community events I’d shot,” Rosie says. “It was pretty special to be a part of such a long-awaited thing in town.”

Working with the Tide has taken Rosie to all corners of our region, via air, sea, and land. She’s climbed Peak Charles, explored Woody Island, joined an aerial pub crawl, and braved a late-night fishing expedition. “That was a really cool experience,” Rosie says. “Bobbing around in the ocean in the dark, sardines flying through the air. A good bit of excitement!”

In her travels, Rosie has enjoyed listening to the stories of locals from a wide cross-section of the community. She says she has connected with many characters along the way. “Hanging out with the ladies and gentlemen in our local community groups always fills my soul,” Rosie says. “There’s nothing better than having a cuppa at Men in Sheds, trawling through the treasures at Esperance Restoration Group, sitting down for smoko with the RDFS woodcutters, or going for a walk along the foreshore with the ladies in Esperance Walking Group.”

But above all else, Rosie’s greatest memories are of learning about local Indigenous culture. She feels honoured to have spent time on Country with both Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and Dabungool Cultural Experiences. “Learning about culture and history is so important, and through the Tide I’ve had so many amazing opportunities to connect and share this knowledge and experience with others,” Rosie says. “It gives me goosebumps!"

Launched in 2020, Esperance Distillery Co is a small-batch distillery created by a father and son team.

By crafting spirits from native botanicals in a custom-built copper still, Esperance Distillery Co offers a distinctively Western Australian twist on the classics.

Bountiful Banksias

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY ROSIE HENDERSON

Oh spring, welcome! You wonderful season, you. The bees are buzzing, the skies are blue, the bush looks unreal, and the banksias are starting to bloom!

Banksias are woody plants that range in size and form, from big trees to prostrate (ground-dwelling) shrubs. Most banksias bloom from September through to January, depending on the rainfall, season and species. The coastal sandplains of our region make for a perfect home for a number of species of banksias, with local botanist Katie White calling the Esperance sandplains an epicentre of banksias in the region.

“We are a hotspot of banksias, with 29 species growing in and around Esperance,” Katie says. “They are one of the dominant species in our ecosystems, meaning they are essential players. To the extent that ecosystems dominated by proteaceae, which banksias are a part of, is listed as a federally-protected threatened ecological community.”

Banksias have adapted to grow in sandy, low nutrient soil, as they have developed specialist root systems that assist in releasing and utilising whatever nutrients are available. They hold up well against bushfires, having evolved to handle bushfires in two ways – about half the species are killed by fire and regenerate from seed, and the other half survive fire (though they may lose their leaves), and sprout back from the buds that are either underground or on the trunk and thicker branches.

Banksias have been and continue to be used by Indigenous Australians for a number of purposes. They’re a source of nectar, eaten by sucking the flowers or soaking in water to make a drink, they’re useful in burning and fire-making, and some of the stiffer flowers have even been used as hair combs!

L OCAL BANKSIAS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ...

Banksia speciosa

The iconic ‘showy banksia’, endemic to Esperance, was first collected at Lucky Bay in 1801, by Robert Brown. Growing along the coast from East Mount Barren to Israelite Bay, they grow 4 - 8 metres high and are bushy to ground level. With silver grey foliage and greeny-yellow flowers, the showy banksia typically flowers throughout the year, but is in its prime during summer and autumn.

Banksia occidentalis

The ‘swamp banksia’, also iconically Esperance, is a shrubby tree that grows up to 7 metres, with red flowers and attractive lime green buds. They can be spotted from Augusta to Cape Arid, growing in sand along shrublands, paperbark woodlands, and sometimes dunes. They flower between December and March, but sometimes in late spring and winter too, depending on the area.

Banksia armata

The ‘prickly dryandra’ was originally classified as a Dryandra armata. It’s a prickly banksia generally found east of Esperance in sandy soils. It has an eye-catching yellow or cream flower that blooms from June to October.

Banksia repens

The ‘creeping banksia’ is found growing from the Stirling Ranges through to Israelite Bay. They can be recognised by their irregular lobed leaves, and have bronze, woolly foliage. Their pink and cream flowers emerge from the ground, sometimes up to 70 centimetres from the nearest foliage, and they flower from October to November.

Banksia blechnifolia

With a reddish-pink flower, rusty new foliage, and deeply-lobed fern-like mature leaves, they are found between Jerramungup and Gibson, in white sand and mallee heath. You’ll find them flowering from late September to November.

Banksia petiolaris

These funky fellas grow between Munglinup and Israelite Bay, in white sand or mallee heath. A shrub spreading to 2 metres in width, they have tall green flowers around the edge of the plant that typically flower between midOctober and mid-December.

W HERE TO SPOT THEM ...

Stokes National Park

Located 65 kilometres west of Esperance and easily accessible via gravel road, Stokes National Park is a great spot to find showy banksias alongside many other beauties!

Helms Arboretum

Just 15 kilometres from town, the arboretum is a great spot for a wander and to check out banksias alongside many more wildflowers and trees. Keep an eye out for Banksia armata !

Cape Le Grand National Park

Known for its stunning beaches, Cape Le Grand is also well worth visiting for its bushland and wildflowers. Located 50 kilometres east of town along a sealed road, the national park offers a variety of walking trails that you can explore, many of which are surrounded by banksias.

Along the roadside

Don’t forget to keep an eye out your window as there are so many stunning banksias growing right on our roadsides! Neds Corner and Cascade Road always come alive with banksias in spring. If you do pull over to check them out, be sensible. Find a safe spot to stop and don’t forget to indicate!

B E A FRIEND TO OUR BANKSIAS !

• Don’t pick the flowers. Not only is this illegal without a permit, but you may also be picking something that is really rare, with only a few left in the world! Remember - take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.

• Tread carefully, as there are many wildflower and plant species beneath your feet.

• Beware of dieback. Clean the soles of your shoes before and after walking in the bush, stay on tracks, avoid dead plants, and use the stations provided in many of the parks to help prevent the spread of dieback.

• And, as always, adventure responsibly! Take plenty of water and advise someone of where you are going and when you’ll be back.

HAPPY ADVENTURING!

CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF BANKSIAS?

Then be sure to check out the upcoming Esperance Wildflower Festival, running from September 19 - 23. This year’s theme is [drumroll, please] banksias! The festival is a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with the incredible diversity of plants in our region, with over 600 species on display, which will help you to identify wildflowers when you’re out and about in the bush! For further festival info, head to www. esperancewildflowerfestival.com.

Planning Esperance’s Future

One of the most significant roles that the Shire of Esperance undertakes is future planning. This planning takes place across a range of areas, and across all of the Shire’s departments. It is particularly exciting to see some of the big projects currently underway.

The Myrup Waste Transfer Station is a project that Shire councillors and staff have been working on. With the existing Wylie Bay Waste Facility reaching the end of its usable lifespan, the Shire reached the decision to create a purpose built, state of the art waste transfer station at a property on Myrup Road. At the new facility, the waste will be sorted and residual waste will be sent to a landfill site in Coolgardie, while recyclable materials and green waste will be processed onsite. Esperance Shire’s Acting CEO Mathew Walker sees this decision as an exciting opportunity to have a purpose-built facility, planned around the community’s needs, which will utilise best practices in waste management. This will include a facility for processing FOGO (food organics, garden organics), turning them into usable

compost. “We want a high quality facility which will allow us to recycle better and minimise the products going into landfill,” Shire President Ian Mickel says. With the new facility currently in the final design stages, the Shire is looking forward to construction going ahead soon.

Another exciting project that is currently in the planning phase is Stage 1 of the James Street Cultural Precinct . The Stage 1 building will have a significant impact on our town for many generations, bringing together a range of different tourism and cultural facilities, including the library, the museum, and the visitor centre. Ian is excited about this new facility. “The finished project will complement our foreshore, and take into account environmental aspects,” he says. “This is a facility which is going to

An artist's impression of the James Street Cultural Precinct.

be serving our community for a long time.” Bearing in mind feedback from the community consultation that was undertaken, the Shire has engaged an award-winning architectural firm, CHRISTOU Design Group, to complete the concept plans for this project. These plans are nearing completion. “The architect has captured all the key elements of the project, and it will be a good fit for all users,” Mathew says. The Shire is now looking forward to presenting these concept plans to the community, and engaging in the next stage of the project, which will be sourcing the funding that will allow such an important project to move forward.

In the 2023-2024 Shire Budget, $22.1 million has been allocated for the Shire Roads Program , making it the largest expense in the budget. Mathew, also the Director for Asset Management, says the Shire is aware of the increased pressure on some of our roads, due to the increase in tourism and agricultural movement in our region. “The team is working towards making sure that our road network can meet this increased demand,” he says. The Roads Program plans to seal more of the 3698 kilometres of unsealed roads that are under Shire management, ensuring they can meet demand. “There are a range of projects taking place to continue developing our town roads,” Ian says. The Shire President also draws attention to the Shire’s plan to increase the network of footpaths, allowing greater access for other modes of transport, particularly mobility scooters. “The rural road network is one of our most important assets,” Ian says. “There is more work to be done to maximise the value of what we’ve got.”

The Shire’s Playground and Public Open Space Strategy is another area where the team is continuing to plan for the future of our region. Mathew notes the Shire has been working towards clearing a backlog of parks that needed to have equipment, that was at the end of its usable life, replaced. Now that the majority of this backlog has been cleared, the team is focussed on upgrading some of the existing facilities, and continuing to develop our playgrounds and public spaces to meet the increasing demand. He said that the Shire does not take a “cookie cutter” approach to developing open spaces, but rather consults with the surrounding neighbourhood on specific projects that are under development. Ian is enthusiastic about some of the projects in the works, noting that the team is developing some parks with more challenging play equipment. “It’s a different mentality to the plastic equipment used in the past,” he says. “We’ve done some already, and there are some great facilities in our town that

will really challenge young people.” With 40 parks, 10 sportsgrounds, and 20 playgrounds under the management of the Shire’s Parks and Reserves team, they are working hard to maintain and develop play spaces for the young people of Esperance.

With such a wide range of facilities under their management, the hard work and forward planning that the Shire puts in is evident throughout our beautiful town. Ian is full of praise for the team of Shire councillors and staff in various roles. “It’s a privilege to work with such an outstanding team,” he says. “The councillors are committed to making things better for our town, and the whole team is open to new challenges and ideas that will improve the quality of life for our region. We’re really fortunate to have people as good as we’ve got, all working to make the Esperance Shire as good as it can possibly be.”

1. Lovers Woven Picnic Basket Luxe Floral & Home Co $195.00

2. SOLL Dad Cap in Sage Wild Posse $39.95

3. Salty Aura The Wattle Travel Rug Tide & Co $185.00

4. Sage x Clare Reedley Beauty Bag Woven $39.00

5. "Gin Valgin" Les Misérables Gin (Limited Release) Esperance Distillery Co $89.00

6. Le Creuset Kone Kettle 1.6L Meringue RetraVision Esperance $168.00

7. Butt Naked Nudist Repair Balm 14g Tide & Co $16.95

8. Bush Tucker Hat Oiled Leather White Sands Gallery $109.00

9. Leif Flannel Flower Hand Balm 100ml Tide & Co $29.00

10. Crushing by Genevieve Novak Dear Village $32.99

11. Ocean & Earth Mens Daybreak Hooded Poncho in Olive Down To Earth $80.00

Council Connections

As part of Council and Shire commitment to get out into our satellite communities, the September Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) will be held at the Gibson Football Club. The annual regional OCM gives everyone a chance to see local government in action and talk to decision makers. There will be a catch up opportunity after the OCM to talk about issues affecting the Gibson community and other regional communities, and suggest ideas for improvement. This informal occasion can lead to fruitful discussions and solutions: the issue of damaged footpaths was raised in Salmon Gums last year, with a budget item subsequently raised, and this has now been fixed. Get yourself out the Gibson Football Club for 4pm Tuesday 26 Sept, prepare a question for Public Question Time, watch the Council Meeting, and then catch up with Councillors afterwards!

Tree Strategy & Policy

Council adopted the updated Street Tree Policy and endorsed the Street Tree Strategy 2023, which was amended after very constructive public consultation. The Policy is designed to protect and preserve existing street trees, while the Strategy is a ten year plan identifying the vision, aspirations and priorities for future street tree management. Public consultation opened for the Strategy in June this year and ten submissions were received. Comments were on the whole constructive and positive, with another ten species added to the planting list in response; you asked and the Shire listened! The new Street Tree Strategy will be available on the Shire website as soon as it has been updated with photos of the additional tree species.

Mineral Exploration Policy

Changes to the Mineral Exploration within Land & Road Reserves Managed by the Shire of Esperance Policy are expected to result in less damage to road infrastructure and disruption to road users, after Council endorsed this amended Policy. This Policy was updated in response to increased mineral exploration in the region, and provides clear direction on where this activity is allowed, and the conditions it is allowed under. Land managed by the Shire is now covered, instead of just road reserves, and the policy strengthens areas where mineral exploration is not appropriate such as within town site boundaries, on land zoned as Rural Residential, Rural Small Holdings and Industrial, and on coastal and conservation reserves, waterways or sensitive areas deemed to have social, cultural, commercial, local economic or environmental value. If any conditions are breached, approval for mineral exploration will be revoked immediately.

Your Chance To Win

This time of year brings the annual Early Bird Rates Draw - bigger and better than ever before, with over $21,000 in prizes to be won! The Shire is excited to be working with local and out of town businesses, who have donated vouchers and cash prizes. There are weekly cash prizes of $500, $800 and $1,200 to be drawn, as well as two local vouchers. Major prizes include a $1,000 RAC Holiday Parks voucher, a Fly Esperance Pink Lake Fly & Lunch Tour for 2 people, and a 12-month Full Membership for the Bay Of Isles Leisure Centre. To enter, the current year’s rates must be paid in full by the close of business on 30 Aug, 6 Sep, 13 Sept, 20 Sept and 27 Sept. Call the Rates Team on 9071 0657 with any questions, and remember - the earlier you pay your rates in full, the more chances you have to win!

Council in Gibson

Our monthly arts & culture guide brought to you by:

LIVE MUSIC

Marco Peluso

FRI 1 SEP @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Scott Darlow Deadly Heart Tour

FRI 8 SEP @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

ENTERTAINMENT

eaters

SAT 2 SEP @ 7:30PM

ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE

Tickets from $20 • auecc.sales.ticketsearch.com

Under the cunning guise of a pub quiz, join pvi collective for a rowdy and thoughtprovoking hour of ‘eater-tainment’ on our relationship with food, the land and a changing climate. Get a team together (or join one on the night) and get set to digest some big questions around food security amidst a climate crisis.

Austen Tayshus 40 Years of ‘Australiana’ Tour

FRI 8 SEP @ 8PM

ESPERANCE BAY TURF CLUB

Tickets $ 35 • trybooking.com

Esperance Comedy Gold

FRI 29 SEP @ 6PM

ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE

Tickets from $15.50 • auecc.sales.ticketsearch.com

THEATRE

Les Misérables

AUG 25 - SEPT 9

THE BIJOU THEATRE

COMMUNITY

Fathers Day at the Brewery

SUN 3 SEP @ 11:30AM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Bring dad and join in on the Tonka Truck Backyard Championship! Live music all day and a smoke pit BBQ. Yum!

LBB Quiz Night

THU 21 SEP @ 6PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Register your team of six by texting 0429 777 714.

Esperance Wildflower Festival

SEPT 19 - 23

ESPERANCE ANGLICAN PARISH

CENTRE & ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE

Featuring art displays, guest speakers, live music, environmental displays and workshops, light lunches, morning and afternoon teas.

Rockin’ Rollin’ Weekend

SEPT 22 & 23

GREATER SPORTS GROUNDS

BYO skates to this pop-up roller rink (limited number of free hire skates available on the day). Head to Shire website for more details.

Oktoberfest Beer Festival

SAT 23 SEP @ 11:30AM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

The Waifs 'Up All Night' 20th Anniversary Tour

FRI 8 SEP @ 7:30PM

ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE

Tickets $80 • auecc.sales.ticketsearch.com

Join folk heroes The Waifs as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album Up All Night with a massive tour of Australia, heading to every corner and crevice of this big land.

Mousey

SUN 10 SEP @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Mark Howard

FRI 17 SEP @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Ill Starred Captain

SUN 17 SEP @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Bec Schutz

FRI 22 SEP @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Big Heart Adventure

SUN 24 SEP @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Illy - Long Way Round Tour

SUN 24 SEP @ 7PM

ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE

Tickets $50.35 • auecc.sales.ticketsearch. com

Mary Leske

FRI 29 SEP @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

MARKETS

Esperance Growers & Artisans Markets

SAT 2, 16 & 30 SEP @ 9AM

ESPERANCE SCOUT HALL

Museum Village Markets

SUN 10 & 24 SEP @ 8:30AM

ESPERANCE MUSEUM VILLAGE

EXHIBITIONS

Australia Wide Eight

AUG 17 - SEPT 13

CANNERY ARTS CENTRE

Colours Of Nature

SEPT 24 - OCT 8

CANNERY ARTS CENTRE

THE BRIDGE

Almost seven years ago, Will Brown introduced me to Bronte Vincent over a coffee at Taylor Street Quarters. The discussion centred around the creation of a local free publication, Esperance Tide . Bronte invited me to pen a column for the soon-to-be launched monthly magazine. I was inspired by Bronte’s vision, and I found it most refreshing to connect with an Esperance-based creative driven to carve out her own niche. I absolutely loved writing for the Tide Promoting the live music scene of course remained at the fore, though occasionally I would veer off on a tangent, sharing my thoughts about the music industry in general and my experience as a small business owner. Working in the music industry often feels rather isolating - colleagues, as such, are few and far between, particularly in the regions. I quickly came to view Bronte as a friend and colleague, with many coffees spent scribbling over an exercise pad, various projects springing to life. Bronte, I want to congratulate you on everything you have achieved with Esperance Tide . Thanks so much for having me along for the ride, much love, and all the best for the epic changes to come.

Being the last issue, I thought I’d give a brief overview of key projects I’m working on. A snapshot on what lies across my desk, if you will. I've just switched up my desktop image to the Balmy Nights 2023 logo. This

event, scheduled for November 25, is all consuming at the moment. I’m stoked to have Bronte back on board on the web design front and, all things going well, tickets should be live by the time you’re reading this! Lucky Bay Brewing is keeping me occupied, too, and I’m excited to announce that the brewery has received funding for 10 nights of original contemporary music across the year (free entry!). Chipping away at this program is an absolute blessing as it allows me to facilitate performances by touring original acts, and to also pop on local supports across the duration. Stay tuned for more info there. I'm finding myself regularly in Hopetoun or Ravensthorpe, partnering with Rave About Arts on their live music program. This is a truly positive partnership and boost to contemporary music within the region. And Grand Casual has three tracks ready to release, currently working on releasing the first tune titled ‘Fine With The Feeling’, and some cool shows creeping up for summer. Esperance Tide , I'm going to miss you. Anyone looking for an easy way to stay up-to-date with all the things I'm involved in, jump on my website www.kyzapresents.com and sign up to the mailing list. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to read ‘The Bridge’ across the years. Much love and adios x

Wildflower Festival

Esperance Civic Centre, Council Place and Esperance Anglican Parish Hall, Corner Andrew Street and Windich Street

ESPERANCE ART DISPLAYS · GUEST SPEAKERS · ESPERANCE BRASS BAND · ENVIRONMENTAL DISPLAYS AND WORKSHOPS· LIGHT LUNCHES, MORNING & AFTERNOON TEA

KYRON SMITHSON - KYZA PRESENTS

Platinum selling artist Illy is diving headfirst into one of the most extensive tours of his career.

Rani Fankha

Illustrator Rani Fankha grew up in Bern, the capital city of Switzerland. Rani met her partner on the ski slopes of Japan in 2016 and the couple resided in New Zealand before relocating to Esperance, where her partner originates from. When Rani is not illustrating or hosting workshops at the Cannery, you’ll find her observing ducks and other birds with her two-year-old daughter at one of Esperance's many parks.

Firstly, tell us what you create!

I’m currently doing a lot of black and white ink illustrations around the human body and its emotions. I also recently started experimenting with a more abstract approach on nature and its colours.

Were you an artsy kid?

For as long as I can remember, I have been obsessed with drawing. Sadly, I felt quite lonely as a child and didn't have many friends, due to moving regularly with my family. Drawing was an escape from reality and where I felt home. I could create my own fantasy world where I lost myself for hours and hours.

Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?

Growing up I was heavily inspired by Japanese pop culture and lifestyle. During my teenage years I started to become more

interested in the human body, its movements, and emotional expressions.

Have you had any formal training?

My background is in fashion design, and drawing classes such as life drawing and fashion illustration were a part of my education. I also was a member of an art club during my time in high school in Japan.

What do you enjoy about living in Esperance?

I love that Esperance is a small town but is still just big enough so that you have everything you need. You can go to the shops and within five minutes you're at some of the most stunning beaches.

How does our local arts community compare with other places you’ve lived?

I love how well connected and supportive Esperance's arts community is. It was a great way for me to start making connections in a new place and get involved.

You’ve exhibited your work a couple of times at the Cannery Arts Centre since moving to town. You’ve also run a workshop or two. Tell us about these.

I am currently showing at the Cannery’s Art Room, with a new project they’re running called 'Curate A Wall', which gives local artists a platform to display their art. My illustrations, and works by another amazing artist, Sarsby Martin, will be on display until September 10. I am also currently hosting life drawing classes at the Cannery, which we hope to do on a more regular basis.

What does the rest of the year have in store?

I'll be showing some more work at the 9x5 Art Auction at the Cannery in November. And this term I'll be hosting a flower embroidery workshop for beginners at the Cannery, which is another great passion of mine.

Do you express yourself creatively in other ways?

I still love creating fashion, but with a two-year-old keeping me on my toes it has unfortunately slipped a little bit into the background. Hopefully once my studio equipment has arrived from Switzerland, I'll find more time to create new work.

Lastly, tell us where we can find your work!

In the Cannery Art Room until September 10 or on Instagram @ranifah

ARTS & CULTURE

One Act Plays to Hit Bijou Stage

Auditions for the Esperance Theatre Guild’s next season of one act plays will be held this month. Locals are being sought to fill numerous on and offstage roles across three short plays, each of which are being directed by new directors. No experience is required, so if you’ve ever dreamt of treading the boards of the historic Bijou Theatre, now’s your chance.

The Esperance Theatre Guild’s one act plays give new directors the opportunity to learn how to stage a production. Producer Marcella Sharry says a lot goes on behind the scenes when putting on a show, including costuming, set design, lighting, stage management, and marketing. “The one act season gives new directors insight into what is required to put on a full production,” she says. “It gives a better understanding of the commitment and skills required.”

Keah Truncali is one of the new directors. Growing up, Keah loved performing, but she drifted away from the theatre until moving to Esperance with her family last year. She came across the Bijou Theatre and took the opportunity to jump back on stage. Since moving to town, Keah has performed in a one act play and Les Misérables . Keah will now sit in the director’s chair, staging Artists Anonymous by John Passadino, a comedy about three struggling writers. “When I found out the reason the theatre put on one acts is to introduce new directors to the theatre, I was inspired to give it a go,” Keah says. “I’ve

IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE!

loved watching [director of Les Misérables ] Caitlyn Edwards and can’t wait to practise some of my new skills in my one act play.”

Katrina McAleese and Richelle Lee-Steere will also direct a one act play. Both Katrina and Richelle have been involved with the Esperance Theatre Guild for several years, and say it provides a warm environment that welcomes and supports newcomers. Richelle has performed in six productions at the Bijou Theatre and looks forward to the challenge of directing comedy

Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare by Jane and Jim Jeffries. Katrina has directed a one act play previously but is keen to further improve her directing skills before taking on a full-length play. “I wanted the chance to gain more confidence to pursue a bigger production of my own later down the track,” Katrina says. “I’m super excited for the show and I can’t wait for auditions.”

Auditions will be held on September 14, and the one act season will run from November 17 – 25. To pick up a script, head to the Esperance Public Library or email admin@thebijoutheatre.org.au. To keep up to date with everything happening at the Bijou, follow ‘The Bijou Theatre Esperance’ on Facebook.

HANNAH SIEMER

Currently performing in Les Misérables, Keah Truncali and Katrina McAleese will next try their hand at directing a one act play. Credit: Caitlyn Edwards.

FIVE MINUTES WITH Paige Valentine

KYRON SMITHSON

Paige Valentine is somewhat of an enigma, switching between Esperance local, regional Western Australian musician, and international recording artist with relative ease. I remember the first time I saw Paige perform solo. Ethereal is the word that springs to mind, and if you have caught one of her performances, you know that the lady emanates enchanting grace. Pieces of the puzzle all fell into place with the release of ‘Pure’ in 2020, a track signalling change, an elevation and embodiment of the songwriter’s nature and ability. ‘Pure’ ran hard and far, and earnt every one of the million plus streams it currently holds on Spotify. Fast forward to 2023 and Paige has reached another milestone, completing her debut LP Lucky Blue , with singles and subsequent album releasing across 2023/24. At the time of print, two tracks are out in the world, ‘Cloud Dancing’ and ‘Don’t Tell Her’. ‘Cloud Dancing’ came first and is a gorgeous piece of work. Produced and recorded at Debaser Studio by Andy Lawson, the track is the realisation of Paige’s full band sound, with lyrics that run deep, tackling love, death, grief, and loss head on. It asks the question of how we continue living when a loved one has passed on. Listening to the track I feel instantly uplifted. The sound scape is so positive it makes me want to smile. I honestly cannot wait to catch this live.

It's most fitting that Paige heads to the Cannery Arts Centre on Saturday 25 November with full band in tow to headline Balmy Nights. The performance comes off the back of her national tour, perfectly timed to celebrate her new music and artistic direction with so many people that absolutely love her. In 2021, I caught Paige’s performance with her band on the main stage of Nannup Music Festival, the lady dressed in a stunning green dress, gliding across the stage emanating glorious diva vibes with one enraptured crowd. I honestly thought she was floating at one point, a performance drawing parallels with the one and only Florence Welch. To finish this piece of writing I thought I'd draw directly from Paige's bio, with a few short lines referencing the place she calls home: Paige Valentine can trace the sonic line between the music she made in the city, and the music she made in remote WA, in a town of 40 people, surrounded by unexplored wilderness and perched on the edge of the world. “It’s a shearing town on the coast,” she says. “There’s no cops, no shops. There’s a tiny road house where I get my mail once a week.” And from this isolation surrounded by the natural environment Paige loses herself in, comes her debut album Lucky Blue . And I for one am damn excited to hear it.

MAKE EVERY JOURNEY SAFE

The Municipality of Esperance

KARLI FLORISSON

Esperance officially became a town when it was formally gazetted on 15 December 1893. Before that, Esperance had been a sleepy little settlement based around the Dempster brothers’ homestead, located on land where the Wudjari Nyungar people had lived for thousands of years. The slow trickle of people into the area changed almost overnight when gold was discovered in Coolgardie in 1892. As the closest port to Esperance, people began to stream into the area, with houses and businesses being built rapidly to cater for the influx of people. Before long, the little town boasted four hotels, butchers, bakers, various stores, a newspaper, and a brand new jetty. Mrs Baker, who arrived in town at the height of the gold rush, wrote the following:

“People were sleeping on the seaweed of a night as there was no accommodation available for them anywhere. The place was thronged with people making for the goldfields. There were then very poor streets, with sand everywhere, and fleas by the millions. There were four hotels as busy as could be… On my way to Norseman we passed seventy teams going and coming from Norseman. In those days, Burns,

Philp and Co. had to use as many as eighteen horses to take a sixhorse load up the sand hills to the Six Mile Hill.”

On 27 September 1895, Esperance became a municipality. Prior to this, the town had been administered by the Dundas Road Board. The first Municipal Council was elected, and Thomas Edwards became the town’s first mayor. Edwards was a civil engineer and surveyor, and worked for the Esperance Bay Land Company, the English syndicate that established ‘Newtown’, which is now known as Castletown. He was described as ‘good for something original and much laughter’ when he spoke at public meetings. Edwards was also described in a newspaper editorial as ‘taking an active interest in all matters concerning the town’, and he was at the forefront of various public movements for progress in Esperance.

In the next municipal elections, Edwards was replaced by Billy Burton, a local personality who was known for reciting Shakespeare at length. Many other well-known Esperance locals also served as councilmen or on the Road Board, including shopkeeper FJ Daw, hotelier Michael Heenan, businessman EJ McCarthy, who built the Bijou Theatre, Henry Sims, who planted many of the Norfolk pines in town, and WE (Willie) Dempster,

son of Andrew Dempster, who spent much of his childhood in Esperance. Heenan, McCarthy, and Dempster all served as mayor at various times as well.

In these boom times, the Municipal Council, working alongside the newly established Esperance Road Board, was praised for making ‘great strides’ in improving the town. In 1896, a desperately needed hospital was built, under the supervision of Dr Earnest Black. This hospital, with a hallway so narrow that patients occasionally had to be passed in and out of windows, is now located in Museum Village. A new post and telegraph station was also commissioned, to replace the existing weatherboard building. The new stone building, completed in 1896, was built by Charles Layton, who also built the first government school, which is now the RSL building.

The council was also praised for its progress in improving the roads and footpaths of the town. They were particularly active in calling for a railway to be put through from Esperance to Coolgardie, which would have cemented the town’s place as the preferred gateway port for fortune seekers headed to the goldfields. The town continued to grow, now boasting a brewery, two newspapers, a school, double storey additions on all the hotels, a church, a salt-mining operation

at Pink Lake, and more stores and offices. While population estimates for this time period vary, it was possibly as high as 5000 people at the height of the boom.

Sadly, the much hoped-for railway did not eventuate, and when the railway went through from Perth to Coolgardie, this became the preferred route for travellers to the goldfields. As the flow of arrivals slowed, many businesses packed up and left town. The town’s population decreased rapidly, dwindling to just 341 people, with a reported 37 per cent of homes unoccupied. In 1905, the Coolgardie Miner stated in an editorial, ‘The members of the Esperance Council appear

to have reached a period of squabbling and discontent,’ referencing a number of disputes that the council had become embroiled in. During one of these incidents, apparently the standing mayor and councillors tried to stop a Mr White from nominating as a candidate at the upcoming election for mayor, leading to a ‘most disgraceful scene’ in which the candidates fought over and destroyed an electoral document. Scandalous scenes notwithstanding, the dramatic decrease in rates payments meant that the council could barely afford to continue running, with a reported 86 per cent of their budget going to administration costs. In 1908, a petition

was sent to the Governor of Western Australia, calling for the Municipality of Esperance to be abolished, although this was opposed by the current mayor and his supporters. In the same year, an audit of the municipal books found the ‘balance sheet as fraudulent, and the entries in the cash book as fictitious’, leading to the town clerk being charged for embezzlement. In October 1908, the Municipality of Esperance was abolished, with the Road Board taking over the civil affairs of the town. This continued until 1961, when the government reformed all remaining road districts into shires, and the Shire of Esperance came into existence on July 1.

Andrew Street in 1896. Courtesy of Esperance Museum.

ACROSS

DOWN

4. Shire-owned fitness facility, Bay of Isles ___ Centre

5. Wudjari name for Esperance (4, 4)

7. Scenic flight company operating in Esperance (3, 9)

10. Seafood restaurant in Castletown, ___ on the Hill

12. Adventure and camping store, formerly Dempster Sporting (4, 2, 5)

13. Seal that lived under the old Tanker Jetty

14. Home of the Tigers

1. Large lake adjacent to Pink Lake

2. Opinion column that once ran in the Tide, ___ Point

3. Furniture store on the former Bunnings site

6. Local doctor and former Member of Parliament (6, 6)

8. Historic building in which Dear Village resides, Old ___ Quarters

9. Month in which the Esperance Show is held

11. Street on which the local ABC Radio studio is located

Recognition

• Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution and paying respect to 65,000 years of culture and tradition.

Listening

• Listening to advice from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about matters that affect their lives, so governments make better decisions.

Better Results

• Making practical progress in Indigenous health, education, employment and housing, so people have a better life.

Virgo AUG 23 - SEP 22

There’s heaps of fun to be had by exploring your artistic side this month. As you defrost from winter, look for activities that challenge you creatively. Shake off the winter blues by jumping on stage at the Bijou or signing up for an art class at the Cannery. Not only will you learn new skills but you’ll benefit your mental health and make new friends, too.

Libra SEP 23 - OCT 22

Shake off that winter funk. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone this month. Swap out your boring workout for something new, cook with a mystery ingredient from Bob & Jim’s, or buy something from Wild Posse that you’d never dream of wearing. Challenge yourself every day throughout September and you’ll soon be strutting out of that rut.

Scorpio OCT 23 - NOV 21

The promise of warmer weather drives you this month. It has been a long winter, and you’ve taken your frustrations out on others. Clear the air ASAP, or you’ll be bogged down right through spring. What do you want to achieve over the next three months? Put your objectives on paper and go through them with your nearest and dearest over beer at the Soak.

Sagittarius NOV 22 - DEC 21

You’re feeling disconnected from your tribe, but don’t overthink it. Your friends haven’t cut you off, they’ve just been in hibernation. Now that the mercury is rising, plan a spring fling for your nearest and dearest. Take advantage of the sunshine and host a picnic in your backyard or head up to West Beach to share a few local brews as the sun goes down.

Capricorn DEC 22 - JAN 20

A burst of energy will have you craving outdoor activities this month. Use this energy to try new things, like a dip at Twilight before work or bushwalking way out yonder. Your zest for life is contagious, so spend time with friends who need cheering up, and encourage others to join you on your adventures whenever possible.

Aquarius JAN 20 - FEB 17

Now’s the time to spring clean. Pull everything out of the cupboards and decide on what’s trash and what’s treasure. This action will declutter both your home and your mind, allowing space for new ideas and projects. Hold a garage sale if you want to make a quick buck, or help someone in need by donating your stuff to ECS.

Pisces

FEB 18 - MAR 19

It takes energy to bottle up feelings. You must be exhausted from stuffing all that emotion inside of you! A loved one will need you to be real with them this month. Now is not the time to pretend everything’s fine and dandy if it ain’t. Find a way to release your inhibitions and let everything out. A strong cocktail from the Quarters may help.

Aries MAR 20 - APR 19

You find yourself trapped in a game of tug-o-war this month, as your friends and family fight for your attention. Don’t try to please everyone. Spend quality time with a few, rather than quick catch ups with many. Choose activities that allow you the space to disconnect from the rat race and reconnect with your loved ones, like camping under the stars at Lucky Bay.

Taurus APR 20 - MAY 20

Spring has sprung and you’re feeling like a new person. Use this newfound zest for life to get ahead. It’s the perfect time to work on achieving your goals. Whether you’ve got a side hustle up your sleeve or you want to shift those Bread Local sausage rolls you indulged in over winter, make a plan and get to work.

Gemini MAY 21 - JUN 20

Someone stubborn is looking for a debate, and you’re their target. Don’t back down on your argument, even if you think your point of view is not being heard. Determination will see you win over your opponent, though it may take a little longer than you would like. Your confidence spikes this month. Host a gathering at the brewery and work the room.

Cancer JUN 21 - JUL 22

You’ve been so serious lately. Release your inner child and have some fun. If you’ve got kids, let them dictate your schedule one day this month and don’t be afraid to say “Yes!” to whatever they want to do. No kids? No worries! Plan a board game tournament with friends, go see Barbie , or grab an ice cream at Aurelia’s.

Leo JUL 23 - AUG 22

Tied? It could be something more than your busy lifestyle. Prioritise your health this month and get yourself in ship shape before summer. After all, who wants to be at the doctor when you could be at the Duke? You might feel like a hypochondriac seeing the doc, but a quick general check-up occasionally is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Bronte’s Goodbye Bolognese

It’s not only a true Aussie staple, but also my absolute favourite meal. I have spent years perfecting my own version and wanted to share it with you all as our final Tide meal together (metaphorically of course!).

Ingredients

Olive oil

1 large onion, finely diced

1 large carrot, finely diced

2 celery stalks, finely diced

4 garlic cloves, finely diced

1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves

500g beef mince

500g pork mince

4 tbsp tomato paste

1 cup dry white wine (red is also fine)

1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)

2 x 400g cans of whole tomatoes

½ cup milk

2 bay leaves

750ml chicken stock

Salt & pepper

500g pasta of your choosing (I chose rigatoni but of course spaghetti is also a winner)

Parmesan cheese, for serving

Fresh parsley, for serving (optional)

Method

1. In a large heavy pot, add your onion, carrot, celery, garlic, rosemary, a good pinch of salt and about half a cup of olive oil, making sure everything is completely covered in oil. Place on the stove on a low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Turn the heat to high and add both the beef and pork mince to the pot, using a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Season with another pinch of salt, as well as a good grind of pepper.

3. Once the meat is browned, add your tomato paste and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes.

4. Turn up the heat and add the wine, and allow the alcohol to be cooked off, which should take about 5 minutes.

5. Add the canned tomatoes (breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon), milk, brown sugar, bay leaves and chicken stock and bring to a boil.

6. Reduce the heat to low and leave to simmer for about 2 - 3 hours, depending on how much time you have. The longer you leave it, the more flavoursome it becomes! Keep an eye on it making sure the sauce doesn’t dry out and stir occasionally.

7. Once the bolognese is almost ready, boil a pot of well-salted water and cook your pasta according to the packet. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water as you strain the pasta.

8. Stir the pasta through the bolognese, adding some pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. The amount of pasta water you’ll add is dependent on how thick the sauce is. I’ll leave it to you to decide.

9. Serve with a good dose of grated parmesan, freshly ground pepper and chopped fresh parsley.

TIDE TIP

If you find you have more sauce than you need, freeze whatever you don't use and save it for another day!

Protecting Our Greatest Asset

Well, it’s our last ‘Bush Banter’ for a while, as the Tide takes a new direction. And sometimes as scary as it is, change opens a world of wonderful new possibilities.

I’d like to say a HUGE thankyou to Bronte and the Tide team for including ‘Bush Banter’ articles from the very first issue. And a HUGE shoutout to the wonderful Antoinette Vincent at Esperance Farm Trees who began writing the column before I jumped onboard. The opportunity for story telling about our environment has been really special, and incredibly important for us to celebrate and learn a little deeper about Kepa Kurl. This little town relies on the environment in so many ways. It provides the pollinators for our booming agricultural industry, and the bush on our road reserves holds our soil together and facilitates all the microbes that create healthy crops or pasture. The mining industry and port relies on extracting from our environment. And tourism in Esperance is entirely environmentally focused. And that’s not to mention the role of the bush in the water cycle, where our bush literally creates rain through its leaves, while acting as one huge air conditioning unit in summer. These ecosystem services create a healthy place for us to live, work and play. And every element of this town relies on it, whether we know it or not.

So, this final ‘Bush Banter’ is a pitch. To learn as an individual about how you can do better. Protect that single tree in a paddock. Plant wildlife friendly gardens and reduce the use of chemicals. Protect our road reserves from ongoing destruction. Be an advocate and call out wrongdoings. Think about how you impact our coastlines. Challenge yourself. Learn. Care. The environment matters to every single one of us in this community and we all have the right and responsibility to engage, protect and respect it for the asset it is.

KATIE WHITE - CALADENIA CO.

BUSH BANTER IS KINDLY SPONSORED BY VALANNE FOUNDATION

“Continuing the family tradition of giving back to the community”

01 Beam Mobility introduced a range of seated e-scooters to its Esperance fleet. The seated e-scooters come after Beam identified a gap in the market for a more accessible ride option. The company has also rolled out the seated option in Geraldton and Rockingham. Beam first trialled its standing option in Esperance in December 2021, which proved to be one of the company’s most successful Australian trials.

02 Approximately 180 musicians performed at the 50th Esperance Music Festival between August 17 - 19. Musicians from Esperance, Albany, Kalgoorlie and Perth competed in the annual eisteddfod, which was adjudicated by musician and educator Miguel Wu. Esperance Brass Band won Most Outstanding Item, while singer Amy Clarke took home Most Promising Competitor Under 18.

03 Some 30 artists entered Showcase Esperance, for a shot at having their artwork displayed in Perth’s CBD. Shire of Esperance councillors were tasked with picking the winning works, which were based around the theme ‘local futures’. Natalie Myers was the overall winner and will have her artwork, which depicts a bird’s eye view of Esperance farmland and coastline, displayed in Yagan Square this month.

04 Southern Ports gave more than $100,000 to 37 community groups through its Community Investment Program. Funding was awarded to organisations across the Great Southern, South West and GoldfieldsEsperance. Harmonee House, a Bay of Isles Community Outreach initiative, was one local recipient, receiving funding to help facilitate a womens’ group for mums requiring mental health support and with children with disabilities.

POSITIONS VACANT

POSITIONS VACANT SPORTING COMPLEXES OFFICER

The Shire is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic person to take on the exciting role of Sporting Complexes Officer. This position oversees the operation of, and provides an active presence at, the Greater Sports Ground, Sporting Complexes and Overflow Campground.

Further details are available on the Shire’s website https://www.esperance.wa.gov.au/current-vacancies or contact Human Resources on 9071 0660.

Applications close: 5.00pm Sunday 10 September 2023

The Shire of Esperance is an Equal Opportunity Employer

PUBLIC NOTICES

THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS VISIT ESPERANCE AND KALGOORLIE

Bereavement support after the death of a child. Public interest meetings will be held at Esperance Lotteries House from 10am Tuesday 5 September and Kalgoorlie Lotteries House from 10am Thursday 7 September.

Bereaved parents and community agencies are welcome. Contact ruraloutreachtcfm@gmail. com for more details.

URGENTLY SEEKING FOSTER CARERS FOR ANIMALS IN NEED

We are seeking foster carers who can take on one or more of our animals who need a roof over their head. If you even have a spare room, laundry, enclosure, dog bed or play pen for a cat or dog to crash on, we would love to hear from you! We offer short-term or long-term, depending on your lifestyle, and match you to the right animal. Head to safe.org.au/foster to apply.

PUBLIC NOTICES

TABLE TENNIS PLAYED AT THE SCOUT HALL

Thursday Mornings 9am - 11.00am. $5.00 each session.

BALLROOM DANCING

Held at RAOB Hall every Friday, starting at 7pm. All welcomed, with or without a partner and we will teach you if you don’t know the dances. Contact Daryl on 0419370089 or Jan on 0420638851.