POST Newspapers 26 April 2025 by POST Newspapers

Anzac Day landing on Cottesloe beach

By BRET CHRISTIAN

More than 20 surf boats got set this week to storm ashore at Cottesloe beach at dawn on Friday, Anzac Day, to re-enact the Allied landing at Gallipoli.

It marked the 110th anniversary of the landing at Anzac Cove, an event burned into the Australian psyche for its bravery and the horrendous loss of young lives.

Among the surf boats will be the Cottesloe craft named Dardanelles, the same name and the same crew that came ashore with 25 other surf boats from around Australia at Anzac Cove to commemorate the centenary of the landings in 2015.

“There were tears, there was emotion everywhere,” said Rob Turner, the sweep then and now, who steers the boat from the stern with an oar.

“It was the dawn light, it was calm, silent, and it was deﬁnitely dark. A piper started playing on one of the boats. We didn’t know the piper was there, but that was quite surreal.

“The emotional peak, if you like, was the landing on the beach that Anzac Day.

“That was a life moment. Guys who had won Australian gold medals say this was a bigger moment, and I concur with that view.”

Stirling Buchanan from the Scotch College bagpipe band will pipe the boats ashore this Anzac Day.

The public is invited to witness the commemoration and ceremony from 6.15am, with the landing at 6.45.

There will be a commemorative address, and a bugler will play The Last Post.

For one family the event will be especially poignant.

Original crewman Adrian Bubb will be missing from the Trigg Island Surf Life Saving

• Please turn to page 49

There were tears , the emotional peak was the landing on the beach that Anzac Day in 2015.

’

Judge’s dog attacked

By BEN DICKINSON

Cambridge rangers are investigating an attack on a labrador owned by Children’s Court president Hylton Quail by a dog that escaped from a nearby house.

Judge Quail’s son was walking the family’s two dogs at Ocean Village Park on February 9 when one of the labs, named Halley, was attacked by a dog that had escaped from a prop-

erty in nearby Tarongo Way. Halley underwent surgery at a veterinary clinic and has since recovered.

The owners of the escaped dog paid the vet bill.

A council spokesperson said rangers were looking into the attack.

“As the investigation has not yet been completed, no infringements have been issued,” they said.

By BEN DICKINSON

Lands Minister John Carey says he will green light the seizure of a slice of Allen Park in Swanbourne, snubbing objections from Nedlands mayor Fiona Argyle and a group of nearby residents.

Ms Argyle has waged a bitter PR war against the government’s plan to excise thousands of square metres of A-Class Reserve, north of the WA Bridge Club.

The government says it needs to seize the land, which is largely covered in dead grass, so it can be turned into a landscaped

park for the future Swanbourne children’s hospice.

“Class A reserve shouldn’t be touched,” Ms Argyle told 6PR host Oliver Peterson in a combative radio interview earlier this month.

She even took the unusual step of booking a digital billboard on Stirling Highway that read

“HANDS OFF” the park.

Mr Carey has all but ignored the council’s protests, writing in a letter last week that he would press on with the legal process of seizing the land – which starts with a mandatory 30-day public advertising period.

The ﬁrst ad appeared in The

Carey to bulldoze Neds land grab

West Australian on Monday, a public holiday.

A day later, Premier Roger Cook told Business News he was “appalled” by Nedlands’ opposition to the project.

“I’m appalled with this use of public funds to oppose something which has an absolute, undoubted provision of good for the community,” he said.

“It’s an important facility which will allow sick and dying children an opportunity to sit in a place of peace, overlooking the ocean, providing great respite and comfort for their families, who are obviously hurting as

• Please turn to page 49

Dawn service … the Trigg surf boat, right, and Cottesloe’s head for the beach. Piper Stirling Buchanan is on the groyne above the Cottesloe craft’s s sweep. LEFT: Cottesloe crew members who were at Anzac Cove for the 100th anniversary … Paul Neville, left, Ian Earl, Rob Turner and Mike Franz. Darren Mills, right, is part of the Trigg crew. Photos: Jane Wishaw

John Carey

Wake up to warming warning

A retired friend just told me that many of his ocean-loving friends have decided to free themselves of their “party loyalty” and vote according to actual policies this federal election.

Apparently, they’ve become increasingly aware that this summer ocean temperatures have been four to ﬁve degrees warmer than normal.

Mass fish deaths, at least 30,000 dead ﬁsh washed ashore along the WA coast, and severe coral bleaching has devastated the beautiful Ningaloo Reef (and all the creatures who depend on it).

He described a growing sense that their grandchildren’s boating, fishing and coast-loving futures are under urgent threat.

And that this has all been driven by voting for fossil fuel extraction, which is increasingly unnecessary, sends most gas overseas inflating local

simply not to be worth it on cost-beneﬁt analysis”.

Glancing at his leather loafers, but with a twinkle in his eye, he told me that his past habit of “voting blue despite appalling climate policy offer-

it feels good!

Sounds like the best gift any ocean-loving grandparent could give their grandchildren.

Cottesloe council is at it again

Cottesloe council is once again ignoring its own beach policy against new enclosed roofed structures on the ocean side of Marine Parade.

The policy is designed to ensure everyone has uninterrupted views of the ocean horizon, including beachfront residents whose values are reﬂected in the rates they pay to fund public amenities.

Four years ago the council wasted tens of thousands of dollars ignoring this policy to pursue a proposal for a new toilet block west of Marine Parade beside the playground opposite Napier Street, until this was put a stop to by community action.

Now the council is again ignoring this policy to pursue another new toilet block west of Marine Parade without regard to its impact on the horizon.

After abandoning its last proposal, the council decided to develop a “public toilet strategy” for all of Cottesloe.

Despite still not having done this, it now asks the community to pick one of two proposed locations, one beside the playground opposite Princes Street, the other further north, opposite

Deal or no deal – the future of Allen Park hangs in the balance

It’s time to make a deal. I stand on my record in that I thought the Sunset site in Dalkeith was a better site than the Swanbourne site for the children’s hospice, for many very good reasons. Anyway, that battle was lost.

Now the Perth Children’s Hospital foundation is offering to revegetate, at a cost of $4million, the sandpit between the WA Bridge Club and the hospice.

This offer includes full public access, maintenance for 40 years and beach access that the community so desperately wants.

In my view this is a classic win-win situation for the community, council and hospice.

The City of Nedlands wants

to spend $400,000 of ratepayers’ money on a modest revegetation project while ignoring the generous proposal of $4million from the hospice group.

I say take the deal, because it will save the City $400,000 that then could be spent on undergrounding of power, laneways, playgrounds or native areas.

In my humble opinion it is madness not to take up this offer. It is environmentally and

economically sound.

Miss this opportunity and the state government will attempt to change the area from A-Class to C-Class reserve, which would remove all that area’s protections, a potential disaster for both the environment and community.

The area, re-classiﬁed, could be built on or even made into a carpark.

For the benefit of the sick children, the community and the

bridge club I urge the City to take up the offer because the alternative will be costly and disastrous to the native areas at Swanbourne. Let level heads make the right decision and work together for a great outcome for ratepayers and the environment.

• These are my opinions and may not reﬂect those of council.

Ben Hodsdon Nedlands city councillor Meriwa Street, Nedlands

Salvado Street, but without saying where any other new toilet blocks may be located.

Only after deciding if new toilets are also to be further south at Cable Station or further north near Cove/Isolated surf breaks, should it then be considered how this can be done in each case without any impact on the western horizon.

More pressing, however, is a long overdue upgrade of the world-renowned disgraceful toilets under Indiana to serve the many more users of Cottesloe’s main beach.

Kevin Morgan Pearse Street, Cottesloe

Chaney family decisions

Fred Chaney has spoken (TheLiberalPartyhaslostits way, POST back page, April 19). He says: “Hard decisions must be made, and communities must be part of the process of government.” I have no problem with that. But then he states that Kate Chaney is the answer. I wonder how many of the Chaney family share his blinkered assessment.

As for the ABC talkback radio program that some of your letter-writers are sulking about (White noise, etc, April 19), I’ve listened to it. Tom White, Kate Chaney and moderator Gary Adshead all interrupted and spoke over each other. It was a debate. Get over it.

David de Vos Philip Road, Dalkeith

Pamela Mcnamara Eric Street, Cottesloe

Bird disease not black and white

By JEN REWELL

Bewildered magpies and paralysed magpie-larks have been spotted in Cottesloe, as cases of black and white bird neurological syndrome increase in Perth.

Two drivers stopped on Broome Street last week to wait for an affected magpie to move to safety.

Another woman said she found a magpie-lark on her verge in Cottesloe which appeared “very unwell” and unable to move.

“I went inside to get a box and a towel to move it but sadly when I came back out it was being pecked and eaten by magpies and crows,” she said.

The neurological syndrome affects black and white birds and presents as paralysis and paresis (muscular weakness) which can result in death within 24 hours.

WA Wildlife, a native animal rescue group, said there were a handful of similar cases most years, but this season had seen a signiﬁcant spike in affected birds observed in Perth and the Southwest.

“Since spring, we’ve admitted close to 900 magpies,” a WA Wildlife spokesperson said.

“With intensive, long-term care, around 50% of affected birds survive, giving us hope and motivation to keep going.

“These birds often appear bright and alert, but are unable to stand or walk, with paralysis beginning in the legs and sometimes progressing to the wings, neck and even affecting breathing.”

The group is working with Murdoch University, DPIRD, Wildlife Health Australia and other experts to investigate the cause.

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■ See letter page 14

Owners object to heritage listing

By JEN REWELL

Up to nine West Leederville property owners have objected to their buildings being earmarked for heritage listing by Cambridge council.

Six landowners objected to the proposed heritage listing after being contacted by the council to inform them of the proposal.

Other properties on the heritage list include ofﬁ Railway Parade and Rosslyn Street, most of which were built around 1910.

The owner of 19 Northwood Street sent a representative to a council meeting this week to voice their objection to the building being included on the list.

The circa 1913 house is on a 325sq.m block and has been used as an accountant’s ofﬁce for 35 years.

The property at 248-250 Railway Parade is also on the list, with a detailed history of its early days as a bootmaker and confectioner (lolly shop), with the shopkeepers’ families living upstairs.

It was built by Italian immigrant Agostino Armanasco, who came to Australia at 16, struck it rich at Hampton Plains south-east of Kalgoorlie, moved to Cottesloe and became a successful builder and businessman.

Mr Armanasco wanted to build a pub on the property but was refused by the Licensing Bench due to his record in Kalgoorlie when he held a licence there.

Number 248 was later used as a Post Ofﬁce due to its convenient location near the train station, and number 250 was converted to ﬂats.

The property was the subject of a contentious twin-tower development proposal in 2019 that was discontinued after strong community and council opposition.

The council will vote next week on including the nine properties in the town’s local heritage survey and heritage list, which is part of the West Leederville precinct structure plan.

for clifftop path

Cottesloe council is itching to spend $4.2million it has from the federal government to modernise and upgrade the popular cycle and walking path along its beach clifftop.

The 4km path, built in 1986, now gets so crowded with pedestrians that cyclists often ﬁnd it easier to ride on Marine Parade. Cottesloe council has tendered for $400,000 to re-design of the concrete path to bring it up to date. It is contributing $200,000 of its ratepayers’ cash.

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No information has been made public on its proposed width, but this week’s council meeting was told that it would be a community path for all ages and abilities and not designed for high-speed off-road cycling.

Bad accidents have happened on the existing path, with cyclists knocking over pedestrians. Apart from the central section through the main No. 1 carpark, the path is likely to follow the existing route to preserve green space. Possible changes would be considered to improve sight-lines, such as the section that loops behind the Cottesloe Surf Club building at Mudurup Rocks.

The council favours building the south section ﬁrst, from Forrest Street to Marine Parade, then the north section from Napier Street to North Street.

• Please turn to page 48

Small steps towards health … A magpie recovers from a mystery neurological condition at WA Wildlife.

The crowded Cottesloe path will be upgraded.

Photo: Paul McGovern Cott gets $4.2m

Post Office in 1945. PHOTO: National Archives of Australia RIGHT: The building today, one of the nine buildings that may be listed.

“My beautiful hair” takes 15 minute to wet under America’s “weak and worthless” shower pressures, grumbled Donald Trump. Above: The North Cottesloe beach showers that would not lighten the President’s mood.

You can spray that again ...

US President Donald Trump’s order to make showers great again was invoked after a complaint about public showers at North Cottesloe beach last week.

For months Phil Paterson, a Cottesloe ratepayer, has been waging a campaign to increase “inadequate” water flow in the changeroom showers.

“It’s at much lower pressure than the maximum allowed,” he told councillors, just a few days after President Trump signed an executive order

to stop limiting water flow in showers in the US.

Since 1992, as part of energy conservation policies, US shower-heads have not been allowed to produce more than 9.5 litres of water a minute

Mr Trump said it was “ridiculous” that he had to stand under the shower for 15 minutes to wet what he called “my beautiful hair”.

“This served a radical green agenda that made life worse for Americans”, his ever-faithful White House spokeswoman said.

“It’s a war on water

pressure. No longer will shower-heads be weak and worthless.”

Mr Paterson would agree that’s a fair description of the North Cottesloe showers.

He asked the council to make the showers comply with water-flow regulations and make them adequate for their purpose.

Acting mayor Melissa Harkins had the last word:

“… Unless Donald Trump over-rules our shower,” she said.

■ See letter page 22

Fridge all fired up at Wandana flats in Subiaco

A faulty fridge has started a fire that threatened a social housing complex in Subiaco.

Fire crews from Daglish station responded to the fire at Wandana last Wednesday after an alarm rang out across the 10-storey A block.

THE listening

Battle heats up for poll position

Can we trust the polls that say Peter Dutton is highly unlikely to be Prime Minister after the May 3 election?

Polls have a margin of error, and they have been wrong before. Figures can tighten as voting day gets closer, as starkly shown by the 2019 daily newspaper cutting reproduced at right.

Pollsters say they have since refined their methods to make such anomalies less likely.

At the time of writing, an aggregate of the main polls shows a national swing TO Labor, unthinkable when compared with polls at the beginning of the year

showing Peter Dutton with a good chance of forming government.

The polling margin in favour of Labor for WA, a week and a half out from the election, is startling, given the media hype about expected WA Labor losses providing the crucial seats the Liberal Party needs.

William Bowe’s aggregate of polls on his Poll Bludger website, accurate last time, shows a swing to Labor in WA of 2.1% on Tuesday.

Poll Bludger’s two-partypreferred calculation shows a whopping 14% margin for Labor in WA, two-party preferred.

Labor’s landslide win in 2022 had a 12% margin in WA.

Of course swings are not uniform, and preference anomalies in individual seats can make results near-impossible to predict.

But such a swing, if replicated on election day, would mean that the

Over-charge for charger over-stayers

Tardy electric vehicle drivers will receive a shock if they stay too long at Nedlands council’s new chargers.

for EV chargers, designed to stop drivers from hogging them longer than needed.

“My fridge blew up,” a resident said. “It wasn’t even an old fridge, it was a new one, and burnt my curtains but I got it out pretty quickly.

“Now I have to save up for a new one, which I can’t afford”.

Fire and Emergency Services said the alarm was raised about 2.24pm but the fire was out when firefighters arrived a few minutes later.

Chargers outside the administration building and library cost a modest 30 cents per kilowatt hour during the day, but leaving your car plugged in after it finishes charging will set you back a wallet-thinning $120 an hour.

“There was a small refrigerator fire on the fifth floor of an apartment building but it was extinguished when the crews got there,” DFES said.

The idle fee, billed at $2 a minute after a fiveminute grace period, is the most expensive in Perth.

Idle fees are common

Subiaco has more expensive power at its two charging sites, at Lords Recreation Centre and its Rowland Street carpark, but a longer grace period.

Power costs 45 cents per kwh with $1 a minute over-staying charge, but a grace period of 15 minutes.

RIGHT: Charging ahead in Nedlands.

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Ada fights creek ‘disgrace’

By LLOYD GORMAN

A much-loved string of ponds and a stream in Subiaco’s Theatre Gardens could be wiped from the face of the Earth – but not if one local woman can help it.

Ada Deleeuw, 75, noticed last week that the landscape water feature had suddenly been switched off and drained.

No signs were put up and when she asked outdoor council staff working in the area why, they told her they didn’t know about it.

Ada – who fought in the 1990s to save the stream and ponds from being removed by the council administration –grew suspicious.

“I wasn’t born in Subiaco but for the 45 years or more I’ve lived here local people have come here as children and with their children to play and enjoy it,” she said.

“And a lot of birds depend on it for water, especially in the very dry conditions we are having, so where will they go now?

“This is an icon and it would be a disgrace to get rid of it.

“If they are going to do something to it they should consult with the community.

“I think it’s all about money and they (the council) don’t want to pay to fix it and maintain it, yet they have no

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Gina has green twin tower vision

By LLOYD GORMAN

Twin towers shrouded in plants will be at the centre of billionaire Gina Rinehart’s proposed $250million development in West Perth.

Mrs Rinehart’s company Hancock Prospecting conﬁrmed details of the landmark proposal between Outram and Ord streets after it was reported by the POST last week.

This is separate to the $80million Ord Street project that will be the base for another Rinehart mining operation, Roy Hill.

Australia’s richest woman has ambitious plans to create an “unparalleled” business hub in West Perth.

The company described the new development as “a trailblazing building which would be the future centrepiece of a long-term Hancock business hub in West Perth, and with

commercial leasing where there is capacity”.

It continued:

“The vision is to create a precinct where ‘work meets wellness’, an unparalleled workplace to support Hancock’s dynamic business and commensurate with its standing as Australia’s most successful private company.

“The new development

coming spaces that will unite and enable collaboration of people across Hancock’s varied business interests.

“The workplace experience is enhanced by a strong focus on amenities such as gyms, wellness spaces, swimming pools and a child-minding area, as well as cafes, restaurants,

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Cott cracks down on party houses

By BRET CHRISTIAN

Cottesloe is having a re-think on the maximum number of guests to be allowed in short-stay accommodation if the homeowner is not staying on the premises.

The original limit was 12 guests in unhosted short-stay accommodation.

But council staff now recommend a maximum of eight guests to limit the effect of large-group stays, unless some are children aged under 12.

There were 123 unhosted shortstays registered in the Town of Cottesloe on April 4, with most near the beach.

The explosion in conversions to short-stay is thought to have helped restrict the already-tight long-term rental market and in some cases caused problems for neighbours when large groups of people take over homes to use as “party houses”.

The state government has ordered local councils to regulate short-stays.

It will require formal planning approval if a home is rented out as a short-stay for more than 90 days a year.

An analysis of the 123 unhosted short-stays on Cottesloe’s register shows that the most common are two bedrooms accommodating up to four guests, followed by three bedrooms which accommodate up to six guests.

Approximately 97% of properties have a maximum of eight or fewer guests and of these, approximately 62% are a maximum of four guests or under.

Cottesloe’s draft policy recommended a maximum of eight guests with four bedrooms or more, or an additional under-12 child per bedroom.

“This encourages family-friendly use without promoting large-scale group stays,” council staff said.

The council voted this week to advertise this proposal for public comment for at least 21 days.

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Ada Deleeuw wants to save the Subiaco Theatre Gardens, for a second time. Photo: Paul McGovern

Gina Rinehart plans to build this $250million development on her West Perth site.

Ned of Nedlands’ medal saga

By JEN REWELL

When Swanbourne military collector John Burridge saw the name Colonel Edward Bruce in an auction catalogue of medals, he knew he wanted them.

He sat up all night to win the UK auction and is now the proud owner of Ned Bruce’s medals.

“He was a bit of a lad,” John said.

He also gave his name to Nedlands.

The medals are now part of the extensive collection John has been building since he was a child and played with his greatuncle’s service medals.

Nedlands (Ned’s Lands) was the name given to 40 acres of land Colonel John Bruce bought for £200 in 1854 and gifted to his son.

Many of the streets in Nedlands are named after family members, including Bruce, Stanley, Tyrell and Webster streets.

The medals were awarded for Ned’s service in Afghanistan in 1878-80 and the Most Honourable Order of the Bath was awarded in 1905.

John, who has run

John Burridge Military Antiques in Swanbourne for 43 years, said he often gave advice to people who would like to know more about military medals awarded to members of their family.

“Honestly sometimes here I feel like I’m the medal section in Canberra, the amount of questions I can answer,” he said.

He said the “worst offenders”

were the “dear old grannies” who divided up a group of medals and handed them out to each of their grandkids.

“That’s like taking the Rembrandt off the wall and cutting it up,” he said.

His WA collection includes 115 medals from WA men who served in the Boer War, and also the medals of Colonel JA Campbell OBE (after whom Campbell Barracks in Swanbourne is named, and who had 61 years between his ﬁrst and last campaign medals).

John was awarded the Medal for Gallantry when he was a machine-gunner in 11 Platoon in South Vietnam in 1969.

His citation reads in part: “On 4 April 1969, while on Operation Overlander, 11 Platoon came under heavy enemy machine gun and rocket ﬁre from a bunker position at a range of 20 metres.”

“It’s a long time when they’re

15 metres away from you and they’re banging away at you,” he said.

“You know in the movies when they go and knock out the machine gun, well I know what it’s like, ‘cos I was the machine gun.

“I could have buggered off, but I had a bloke who was dying on the left of me, and a bloke that was killed on the right of me, so you can’t leave ’em, you know what I mean?”

Using the 600 rounds that he carried, and the 400 rounds carried by his wounded secondin-charge, John fought for four hours until he ran out of ammunition.

“It was the only time I’d resigned myself to dying,” he said.

“I think there’s a sort of a calmness that comes over you, you just sorta say, ‘well this is it; there’s nothing I can damn well do about it’.”

At that moment, reinforcements appeared and as the new platoon ran past him, they each threw him another 100 rounds that they carried.

He was wounded in the arms and bleeding from the ears but was stitched up and stayed in Vietnam, and had his 21st birthday there.

“I was as ﬁt as a mallee bull when I went over there,” he said. He preferred to sleep on the ground when on six-week patrols but remembers the ants that would build colonies under his ground-cloth as he slept.

He has many stories, including the time a tracker dog was attacked by a huge python, and the time he noticed that a tempting hand of bananas was actually

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Military historian, collector and veteran John Burridge MG was thrilled to be able to bring Colonel Bruce’s medals back to Nedlands.

Photo: Paul McGovern

RIGHT: Colonel Edward (Ned)Bruce, after whom Nedlands is named.

John Burridge, left, in Vietnam in 1969.

Your choice, your vote

■ I’m running because Curtin deserves strong leadership at a time when families and businesses are under pressure.

The future of the economy is uncertain.

Costs are rising. Local families and small businesses are doing it tough.

We need a steady hand – someone who understands how jobs are created and how prosperity is sustained.

I grew up in a small business family. I started out mopping ﬂoors for $6 an hour and later went on to lead Uber’s operations –both here in Perth and in some of the world’s largest cities.

The POST offered space to candidates for the Federal seat of Curtin in the May 3 election to reach out to voters. One of the six candidates did not respond. – Statements are in ballot paper order

■ I’ve lived in Curtin for many years and love our community.

■ I’m voting for Kate because she’s spent her entire term listening and engaging, not just showing up before the election. As a working mum, I value having someone smart, well-spoken and committed representing us. I feel conﬁdent in her values and the way she shows up for our community.

Uwana, 38, Claremont

I’m voting for Kate because she listens to our community, not party bosses. She makes decisions based on evidence and expert advice. She’s guided by integrity, takes a long-term view and cares about the kind of future we’re leaving for our kids and grandkids.

Ray, 64, Floreat

■ I’m running because I believe in fairness, compassion, and practical reform.

I know what drives economic growth and how to provide the practical assistance local families and small businesses need.

Right now, our economy can’t afford indecision or experiments.

Curtin needs a serious voice inside government – not a commentator on the sidelines.

Our current Teal MP means well, but she’s delivered no new funding, no major projects, and no economic wins for our community.

Worse, on the issues that matter, she’s been unclear or adopted anti-WA positions.

This election is about securing our future.

It’s about making sure Curtin has inﬂuence, not just opinions.

I’ll bring economic expertise, clear priorities and a deep local commitment to the role.

If you value jobs, stability and strong economic leadership, I’d be honoured to earn your vote.

Tom White, Liberal for Curtin

I visit the local farmers market on weekends and volunteer with Friends of Galup, helping restore Galup/Lake Monger through weeding, planting and rubbish collection. A key issue for me is the gutting of the NDIS. I work in the disability sector as a speech pathologist.

Every day, my clients and their families struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, while dealing with an NDIS system that seems designed to strip people of their dignity and remove vital supports.

Other issues are protecting our forests from destructive logging and damaging prescribed burns, both of which destroy our biodiversity and reduce our ability to naturally store carbon. We also need to transition to renewable energy as quickly as we can.

With political will and targeted investments we can get to net zero or even negative carbon emissions by 2035. Seeing everything that is happening in the world, it is easy to let ourselves fall into despair.

I’m voting for Kate because as a ﬁrst-time voter, while the major parties fail to tackle the real issues, Kate gives me hope. Her independence means she can push for solutions on the things that matter to young people – like climate, uni costs and the cost of living.

Ed, 19, Subiaco

I’m voting for Kate because she’s not tied to a party – she’s tied to us. The major parties have lost their way and care more about winning than leading. After years of watching politics lose its courage, it’s refreshing to see someone stand up for what matters.

Liz, 70, Nedlands

■ The four contributors are pictured with Kate Chaney.

The race is close – it could be a hung parliament, where the next prime minister is decided by the crossbench.

Peter Dutton sneaking into power is a risk we cannot afford.

I feel the grief and fear, but I use these feelings to fuel my actions to ﬁght for a fairer world. Join me, vote 1 Greens.

For 4½ years I served on the City of Perth council.

During COVID, I answered the state’s call for the vaccine rollout.

I earned my GP qualiﬁcation with homeless healthcare. I cared for the sickest West Australians in our state trauma unit.

I’m now a family doctor in Wembley Downs.

I became a doctor to help people. I joined Labor to help my country.

We say NO to Trump-style division and cuts. We want a government that protects Medicare, expands childcare, and can form government to ght climate change.

Labor is clear – MORE renewables NOT nuclear.

Labor backs WA’s future; 20% off HECS and fee-free TAFE training the next generation for a future made in Australia.

Federal funding for capital works, not seen in previous administrations; Labor is committing $1.7billion to Metronet and $60million to expand the Swan River ferries, directly beneﬁting Curtin.

Majority Labor governments always moved this country forward.

Only Labor can secure this future. Vote Labor 1.

The current laws around cannabis are outdated, wasteful, and cause more harm than good. People shouldn’t be criminalised for using a plant – especially when it’s helping with pain, sleep or anxiety.

I’m not a politician. I’m just a regular person who works a normal ofﬁce job for a small business here in WA.

Like many, I see the injustice of criminal records being handed out for something safer than alcohol, while the medical cannabis system still treats patients like second-class citizens – letting only those who can afford it access care, banning them from driving, and punishing them at work with drug testing that doesn’t even measure impairment.

The Legalise Cannabis Party stands for civil liberties, personal freedom and common sense. We want to stop arrests, allow home growing, expunge past convictions and make medicinal cannabis accessible and affordable.

I’m Fred Mulholland, and I’m running for Curtin to bring a bit more reason, humanity, and honesty into Australian politics.

Bleaching scars Ningaloo Reef

Tom WHITE Liberal

Kitty HEMSLEY Greens

Fred MULHOLLAND Legalise Cannabis

Kate CHANEY Independent

Victor KO Australian Labor Party

Image: Brooke Pyke

Ningaloo Reef, Feb, 2025: Bleaching due to a marine heatwave caused by climate change.

LOVE GARDENING?

Perth s BIG Garden Show is on 2-4 May at McCallum Park!

What’s on?

•Perth's best displays of plants, gardens accessories and more!

•NEW Baileys Plant Market

•Blank Canvas Garden Builds - live each day

•City Farm Veggie Garden - talks and activities

•Gin Masterclass Area

•Kalamunda Garden Festival Patch

•Reticulation and Lawn workshops

•Garden Design Sessions

•Perth's best horticultural speakers on five different stage areas

•Straightcurve Waterwise Gardens

•Kings Park Display

Show Gardens

Get inspired and see some awesome designs in the Show Garden displays. Show Gardens are designed to showcase planting skills, design knowledge, and horticultural expertise, and encourages creative themes that incorporate wildlite- friendly gardens and waterwise planting. Pocket gardens and "Achievable Gardens" will be on display at the Show.

Richgro Knowledge Centre

Baileys Workshop Area

Got gardening questions? Visit the new Richgro Knowledge Centre! Have all your gardening questions answered by a panel of experts, plus be at the information stage all day to hear from Perth's best horticulture experts.

The Baileys Workshop Marquee is the place to connect with Perth's gardening experts, share your garden stories, get expert advice, and chat about all things green. Register to take part in a special Mother's Day Gift workshop where you'll craft a living gift for mum. Sit back and enjoy Baileys Backyard Banter stage presentations. Plus you won't leave empty-handed with Baileys product samples being given away throughout the Show!

Waterwise Garden Trail

SHOW DATES

•Friday 2nd May

•Saturday 3rd May

•Sunday 4th May

•TIMES: 9am - 5pm each day

Planting native plants in your garden can help the environment, support local wildlife, and reduce maintenance. Visit the new Re-Wilding Perth Zone and hear from expert speakers, learn about why planting a native garden is so important for the environment, and get tips on planting your own gardens.

Did you know, dripping taps and faulty connections are a major cause of water loss in gardens? A single water drip can waste up to 20,000 litres of water a year - that's enough to fill a small pool! Join us on our Waterwise Garden Trail to see exhibitors who are committed to addressing water waste and creating gardens that use water wisely. There are 6 Waterwise Gardens to find on the trail. Once you have found a themed garden display, write down which exhibitor or nursery it was located at. Place your completed form in the box at the entry/exit tent before you leave the show. Embark on the Waterwise Garden Trail for a burst of inspiration, enjoy the beautiful displays and help us hunt down the 6 hidden 'water drips. Think climate change, be waterwise.

TICKET PRICES:

•Adult $22

•Concession $18

•Child $12

•LOCATION: McCallum Park, Victoria Park

•FREE PARKING AT THE SHOW!

•Family (2 adults and up to 4 kids) $55

•2-day and 3-day passes available

•TICKETS ONLINE OR AT THE GATE!

•Cash and card sales at the Gate.

Pictured: Josh Byrne, Deryn Thorpe, Sabrina Hahn and Casey Lister.

An Anzac promise made and kept

Henry Wallis (“Harry”) Williams was the elder of two sons of Melbourne school teacher Henry and Susannah nee Simpkin, born in Beeac, Victoria, in 1873.

After state schooling in Melbourne, he came to Western Australia where he worked on the land in Bridgetown and, later, as a cook in the surveyor’s camp, and general labourer, building the road at Seaton Ross, Manjimup.

He never married, but he made good friends, among them naturalised Norwegian mariner Ludwig Anderson and his wife Mary, who came from Rosebud, Victoria, in the early 1900s. They brought their three young children with them – Leo, Helena, and Francis, and lived in their home, ‘Rosebud’ in George Street, South Fremantle.

Though Harry was Ludwig and Mary’s friend, his future was entangled with their elder son Leo, who was schooled at Christian Brothers’ College, Fremantle, and then entered the public service, working as an accountant.

Promoted

In 1909 Leo, then 18, joined the 11th (City of Perth) Australian Infantry Regiment which, in July 1912, became the 86th Infantry (West Australian Riﬂes), operating in the Subiaco, ClaremontCottesloe and Fremantle areas.

During six years of dedicated service in the militia, he gained topography and machine gun certiﬁcation and reached the rank of second lieutenant. On August 14, 1914, only days after war was declared and three days before Blackboy Hill Camp opened, he enlisted at Fremantle.

Mary openly fretted about Leo going to war, but he had been practising for just this opportunity for a quarter of his short life, and leapt at the chance to put his skills to the test.

Harry enlisted two months later. Overage, at 41, he lied, saying he was 35 years and 8 months old. Where Leo was young, blonde haired, blue eyed, and ﬁnely built, Harry was dark – hair, eyes, skin – and described as tall and hefty.

With Harry and Leo both assigned to the 16th Battalion, Mary begged Harry to look after her boy, and Harry solemnly promised he would.

Leo was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the AIF in November 1914 and, after

further training in Melbourne, they both embarked in the ship Berrima for Egypt.

On February 1, 1915, on the last day of the voyage, Leo was promoted to lieutenant. Harry immediately became his batman, meaning he took on all manner of duties: delivering messages; looking after Leo’s weapons and uniform; and in battle, was expected to act, more or less, as Leo’s bodyguard.

A few weeks later, in Heliopolis, Leo was assigned to D Company, and Harry, B.

On March 22 Harry applied for transfer to D Company making it clear he needed to be with Leo, and letting them know of his promise to Leo’s mother.

Three weeks later, on April 15, 1915, they embarked from Alexandria together, with D Company, bound for Gallipoli.

them. It was a disaster.

In his diary, 16th Battalion Signaller Ellis Silas wrote:

“Every rifle, every gun, opened up simultaneously … a murderous enfilade from the enemy’s right swept that hillside with a rain of lead; men withered away under it; the wounded, screaming in their agonies, rolled down the sheer slope, filling the gully below with a mass of writhing human flesh, soaking the gully in a torrent of blood … the horrors of this night have been too much for me.”

The men’s nerves were shattered, but they knew they must go on.

Someone began singing “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”, and soon every man joined in, coming close to drowning out the crack of riﬂe ﬁre and the scream of shells and men.

‘The horrors of this night have

applied to transfer to D Company and, in particular, to March 15 when he boarded the ship in Alexandria with Leo – his transfer had not yet been processed.

This meant Harry was marked as missing on B Company’s muster roll on embarkation at Alexandria, because he was with Leo in D Company. He wasn’t marked off D Company either, because he wasn’t on the roll, not having yet been ofﬁcially transferred. Harry was therefore reported illegally absent on April 15.

Presumed AWOL

With both Harry’s parents dead, neither his brother Joseph nor sister-in-law Isola wrote to the army querying his disappearance, shamefully believing he had absconded from Egypt as the troops were embarking for battle. It was simply accepted; a quiet embarrassment to his friends, his family, and Australia.

Leo’s distraught mother Mary, possibly thinking Harry’s solemn promise had been nothing but lip service, received a garbled miscommunication in May 1915 that Leo had been wounded in action. It wasn’t until December cially declared killed in action as of May 2 at

A hero, ever mourned by his

BELOW: Extract from service record reflect-

Absent Without Leave, later acknowledging he had been killed in

family, his body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.

As for Harry, in 1919 a Court of Inquiry officially declared him a deserter, that he “illegally absented himself in locality unknown on April 15, 1915 and that he is still so absent March 6, 1919”.

In 1922, seven years after Harry died by Leo’s side doing his best to protect him, the Graves Registration unit moved through the various battleﬁelds at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, exhuming remains and establishing war cemeteries. At Dead Man’s Ridge, at the top of Bloody Angle, Harry’s identity disc and 16th Battalion badges were recovered from remains which were then reburied at Quinn’s Post Cemetery. Here was the proof he’d made it to Gallipoli.

A ﬂurry of ofﬁcial communications between the army and several witnesses confirmed Harry had been at Gallipoli.

• Please turn to page 48

CLOSED FOR 2 WEEKS Mon 5th to 19th May 2025 WILL BE RE-OPENING Tues 20th May 2025

16th Battalion Roll Call, May 3, 1915. Painting by battalion Signaller Ellis Silas.

Second Lieutenant Kieran ‘Leo’ Anderson, 16th Battalion. Western Mail, December 25, 1915.

Words and original research by historian Shannon Lovelady

A 16th Battalion insignia also recovered from Bloody Angle in 1922. Australian War Memorial.

An Australian Rising Sun hat badge recovered from Bloody Angle by the Graves Registrations Unit in 1922. Australian War Memorial.

Seatainer sauna raises steam

By BRET CHRISTIAN

Two Cottesloe residents have challenged a plan to erect a public sauna overlooking North Cottesloe beach.

Stephen Mellor and Yvonne Hard say it would breach the council’s own policy of no new roofed structures west of Marine Parade.

North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club has applied to the local council to allow a lessee to build the sauna on the concrete roof of its ski shed, between The Magic Apple and Longview restaurants (North Cott sauna to warm up dead zone, POST, April 19.)

At Tuesday night’s council meeting, mayor Lorraine Young hastened to assure locals that the council was only voting to set guiding principles for the sauna, not voting to approve it.

Parade and Eric Street.

A council staff report says repurposed sea containers were acceptable, but they would have to be ﬁnished in such a way as to integrate sympathetically with the surrounding buildings.

Ms Hart said the proposal contravened Cottesloe’s 2004 beach policy that allowed only replacement buildings west of Marine Parade.

“I suggest that sea containers will not contribute to the visual character,” she said.

Lockers and a proposed ice shower would be extra blights.

Mayor Young responded: “The beach policy doesn’t bind council.”

or mass of a structure west of Marine Parade, and appeared to breach precedent.

The council had received legal advice about the project, but the public had no way of knowing what that advice said.

He asked if the advice was discussed behind closed doors at a conﬁdential workshop on April 1.

He reminded the council that the owners of Barchetta, the previous lessees of The Magic Apple premises, had been ﬁned for putting tables and chairs on the ski-shed roof.

The council then added two more guidelines to its original ﬁve to make this clear, and also to add that the idea would be advertised for public consultation before considering a vote to approve it.

Neighbouring restaurants would also be consulted.

The meeting was told that the view north from The Magic Apple would be affected by the sauna, which probably would be housed in sea containers.

The guidelines include limiting the amount of ski-shed roof space occupied to 33% of its area, with the sauna placed along the north edge to preserve sightlines to the ocean from Marine

Mr Mellor disputed the staff report to council that said there were no perceived policy implications arising from their recommendation.

He said this contradicted the council’s policy that bans expanding the footprint, height

Council rangers ordered removal of the furniture (Coffee cut short at dead zone, POST February 20, 2021).

Mr Mellor said the northern view from The Magic Apple would be blighted by placing sea containers there.

If the sauna is approved, the council hopes to receive an income stream from the rent.

Doctor’s new trial over dog attack

By LLOYD GORMAN

A Mt Claremont doctor convicted of allowing his dogs to attack a neighbour has had the judgment set aside after claiming he was not informed of the court hearing.

But Patrick Golden will face a new trial after convincing a Perth magistrate that he only became aware of a conviction after the event.

Dr Golden said he intended to plead not guilty to one charge of allowing his dogs to attack a person and would seek legal advice on another charge of the dogs being unsecured in public.

Magistrate Catherine Crawford examined court records that showed notice of the October hearing was sent to Dr Golden’s Rochdale Road address last August, but after listening to his submission

she said a new trial would be ordered.

She found that Dr Golden had attended Perth Magistrates Court on other occasions, and the court needed to ensure fairness to all parties.

“I’m prepared to accept what has been said,” Ms Crawford said.

“The application will be granted (and) the matter now needs to be set down for a trial.”

Dr Golden was charged after a neighbour was injured by two viszlas in March last year.

Prosecution lawyer Peter Gillett told the court Dr Golden owned two vizslas that he kept at his home.

He said Dr Golden was opening his garage door at the rear of the house when the two dogs darted out and ran south along the lane.

“The complainant was main-

taining the fence at the rear of his property, which is part of the laneway, when he heard growling and barking and turned to see the accused dogs running towards him,” he said. The dogs ran to either side of the complainant and one jumped up on him, snarling and biting him on his right forearm.

“While that was happening

• Please turn to page 49

While my Liberal opponent will vote the way he’s told, I listen to my community and follow the evidence. I’m independent, so I work with all sides to deliver practical solutions that make a difference here and across Australia.

Kate Chaney, Independent

Answers to the people of Curtin

Votes on evidence and merit

Works with all sides to deliver results

Stands up for our community

Tom White, Liberal Candidate

Takes orders from Peter Dutton

Would be told how to vote

Protects his party

This election, you can decide whether we get a backbench MP doing what he’s told - or a strong independent who puts our community first.

Follows the Liberal party script

The roof of the North Cottesloe ski shed, with The Magic Apple to the left. The sauna sea containers would be placed along the fence to the right of the photo.

Stop early birth risk

By JEN REWELL

A project that has prevented thousands of babies being born early has grown from a research study at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Subiaco to a successful nationwide program.

Federal government funding of $5.3million was announced recently to renew and expand the Every Week Counts preterm birth prevention program.

Professor John Newnham, chair of the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance, said the funding meant the program could improve pregnancy outcomes for more women across the country.

“It has been inspiring to see the amazing work being done by the hospital teams participating in the ﬁrst phase of the national

program,” he said.

“These teams have generously shared ideas, knowhow and data with each other on how to support more women to safely continue their pregnancy to 39 weeks.”

Women who are identiﬁed as being at risk of a preterm birth have an individualised management plan at the preterm birth clinic at KEMH and receive specialist care.

The strategies include prescribing vaginal progesterone to women with a shortened cervix or a history of spontaneous preterm birth, promoting the importance of continuity of carer and discouraging smoking while pregnant.

A successful research trial is looking at another clinical strategy which would screen women at 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy to predict cases of pre-eclampsia that might

lead to early preterm birth.

The Every Week Counts program is in its second phase, having already been introduced to 59 maternity services across Australia from 2021 to 2024.

“Together the teams have already averted more than 4000 untimely early births, making a big impact on the lives of those children and their families,” Prof. Newnham said.

One in 12 babies in Australia – more than 26,000 babies – is born premature, with the rate almost double for Aboriginal babies.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of death and disability in children under the age of ﬁve and can lead to serious health and development implications including cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness, and learning and behavioural problems.

Council rates ‘abuse’

Former Nedlands mayor Laurie Taylor says soaring council rates across WA amount to “ﬁnancial abuse” of ratepayers.

Speaking at a Westcoast Community Centre event at The Grove Library last month, Mr Taylor outlined how Nedlands council’s rates income had soared 411% between 1995 and 2020 – more than ﬁve times the rate of inﬂation.

The situation was similar across virtually every council in the state, he said.

“WA local government is probably the worst ongoing abuse of the community happening right now,” he said.

Nedlands’ population remained virtually static over the period, according to ABS data.

Productivity improvements should have seen full-time equivalent stafﬁng levels drop around 41%, Mr Taylor said, but they had instead risen by 47%.

Mr Taylor has long argued there is a “perverse incentive” in the local government sector that rewards CEOs and other executives based on the size of

ELECTION 2025 What Happens Next is Up to Us

their budgets and the number of staff they manage, rather than the value they deliver residents.

He also blasted the state government for the demise of MyCouncil, a website through which residents could compare their council’s ﬁnancial performance to others.

The site has not been updated since 2021.

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said the data vacuum was due to changes in reporting requirements.

“The MyCouncil website is being updated, including adding a new local government ﬁnancial indicator which has been developed through sector engagement and feedback,” she said, promising the new site would be launched “soon”.

Ms Beazley said incoming reforms would require councils to set a “rates and revenue policy” with a forecast of future costs.

“Local governments should be prudent in setting rates ensuring that they are raising enough revenue to cover crucial community services and facilities, while ensuring that the money is spent efﬁciently and effectively,” she said.

People are losing faith in politics – and who can blame them?

Whether it’s housing, climate or the economy, the big challenges aren’t being tackled with courage or clarity. Instead, we get scare campaigns, slogans and short-term thinking.

I’m not here to play that game. I’m here because this is my home and I believe we can do better.

For the past three years, I’ve been proud to represent Curtin as an independent. I vote on every issue based on the evidence - not party lines - and I spend more time listening to this community than speaking in slogans.

What Matters to Us

I’ve pushed for action on affordable housing, helped create stronger climate and environment laws and supported small business, youth mental health and cleaning up politics. I’ve worked across Parliament to help build a future-ready economy. And I’ve hosted more than 70 community events to stay grounded in what matters to you.

Being independent means I can focus on good ideas, wherever they come from. Having more independents in Parliament has already made a positive difference: more transparency, more scrutiny and more of your voice in Canberra.

Of course, the major parties don’t like that. When communities have more say, parties have less control. That’s why the Liberal Party is throwing everything at Curtin.

But this isn’t just about one seat, it’s about the Australia we want to be.

When I ask people what kind of country they want, the answer is always the same: one that’s fair, compassionate, sustainable and forward-looking.

That’s the future I want to help shape - for our kids, and for theirs.

This election, you get to decide whether we get a backbench MP doing what he’s told – or a strong independent who puts our community first.

Vote

Jennifer Leverington, left, Sue Martin and Professor John Newnham are thrilled the preterm birth prevention program is being expanded. Photo: Paul McGovern

BEN DICKINSON

Up she rises … Laurie Taylor says soaring rates are “financial abuse”.

OVEN READY ROAST LAMB SHOULDER

1. Preheat oven to 140° on the fan forced setting. Poke four holes in the bag.

2. Cook for 4 hours. Once the roast is cooked, you can make a delicious gravy from the juices left in the bag.

3. Serve and enjoy with roast turmeric potatoes, honey heirloom carrots & a fresh radicchio salad.

The oven-ready bag locks in moisture as the lamb cooks and enhances the ﬂavour, creating the softest, most decadent, fall from the bone roast lamb.

OPEN ON ANZAC DAY 6:30 AM- 8 PM

Perfectly paired with Camporsino Chianti

Magniﬁcent Morrigan, my magpie mate

Until just a few weeks ago, for more than eight years I was visited at home every day by a magpie. I named him Morrigan.

Every morning at 9 o’clock, and every afternoon at 5.00, Morrigan would ﬂy in over my back wall, perch on a chair or table at my back door and sing out to me.

If I didn’t go out to see him straight away he would ﬂy to my other entrance and call.

I used to talk to Morrigan. He would look me straight in the eyes and talk back.

He never missed a day, until last month.

I was mystiﬁed by his disappearance.

Then I read the disturbing and distressing news that hundreds of magpies have been found dead in the South-West and Perth area.

Murdoch University is working with wildlife centres and organisations to gather in-

Size matters, doesn’t it?

There were two full-page items of political advertising in the April 19 edition of the POST. Both meet the requirements of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 – Sect. 321D (Authorisation of certain electoral matter).

However, the advertisement on page 10 required the use of a powerful magnifying glass in addition to my reading glasses for me to be able to read who had authorised it.

formation about the affected birds.

I assume that maybe Morrigan has fallen victim to this mystery illness that leaves birds such as magpies paralysed, leading to death.

If anyone ﬁnds a sick bird please call the wildlife helpline 9474 9055.

Magpies are highly intelligent. They can imitate human speech, grieve, play games and work in teams.

Generally they mate for life and only search for a new partner when one dies. They are known to recognise and remember peoples faces for many years.

They are also an important part of the ecosystem, and help to control insect populations.

I am devastated, and truly miss my Morrigan.

Cher Golding Barnfield Road, Claremont ■ See report page 3

3/368 Hay Street, Subiaco WA 6008

Contrasting authorisations (actual size) from full-page advertisements in last week’s POST.

Curtin no longer rusted on Liberal

There have been several letters in the POST complaining that Kate Chaney’s voting in federal parliament does not reﬂect her constituents “because Curtin is a Liberal Party seat”.

But times are changing. Until recently we had a Labor member representing the state electorate of Nedlands, and since Tom Dadour, Subiaco has favoured independent-minded politicians.

In my opinion, Ms Chaney sometimes votes the wrong way, but I have never doubted her independence.

Curtin Liberal candidate Tom White supports Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, whose understanding of politics is that he is the big policeman and we, the public, must obey police orders.

No need for name-calling

I feel compelled to reply to the writer who may have dismissed me as an “unthinking” woman (White noise, Letters, April 19) because I ﬁnd it more than annoying when people resort to name-calling against anyone who does not agree with their views.

I just happen to have met Tom White, and not just heard him on the radio.

I found him to be a very intelligent young person, a good listener, very considered in his approach and articulate in expressing his views.

Annie Macnab Keightley Road East, Shenton Park

In comparison, I could read the authorisation of the one on the back page without either glasses or glass. Is the Liberal Party embarrassed by the content of its ad? I would be.

I too listened to the ABC radio debate between Kate Chaney and Tom White and thought it was an excellent and robust debate which would qualify either of them to take to the ﬂoor and speak in our parliament.

I’m totally in awe of his energy and ability to connect with supporters and critics alike.

Judith Birmingham Kildare Road, Floreat

D.L. Brown Barker Road, Subiaco

Maggie Morrigan, sadly believed to have fallen victim to a mysterious illness among local bird populations. Photo: Cher Golding

Authorised by S. Morgan, Liberal Party, 2/ 12 Parliament Place, West Perth WA 6005

AUTHORISED BY KATE CHANEY

My Plan for Curtin.

Curtin deserves clarity, decisiveness, and

Housing

We’ll ease the housing crisis by boosting supply, reducing migration, and funding the infrastructure required for new housing. First home buyers will be able to access up to $50,000 from their super, and receive tax deductions based on interest payments on

Cost of living

A revitalised Cottesloe foreshore

Sculpture by the Sea back to Cottesloe foreshore for 2026 & 2027

Upgrades to community safety for the Scarborough Beach precinct

Upgrades to the Scarborough Sports& Community Club and Scarborough Cricket Club

Upgrades to the Pavillion at Allen Park for SOAKS rugby club

An upgraded ceiling for Holy Spirit Primary School

Hungry turtles down the drain

By JEN REWELL

It has been a long, hungry summer for seven long-necked turtles that were marooned in a concrete drain at Lake Monger.

A young boy spotted several mature turtles inside a drain at the southern end of the lake last Saturday.

Two of them were sunning themselves in the drain and a third was swimming in the murky water, but there was no way for them to get out to Lake Monger, which was just a few metres away.

The boy raised the alarm and locals went online to ﬁnd help.

The large drain has a 1.5m wide concrete mouth enclosed by high ledges, with a hinged steel grate across the front of the structure.

A slim gap at the side was just wide enough for a determined turtle rescuer to squeeze through.

As luck would have it, the expert reptile rescuer who was called to the scene was only 155cm and weighed 50kg.

Tessa Esparon, who runs Tessa’s Reptile Services, said she was initially dubious as to whether the recue was possible, but investigations (with a stick) revealed the murky water in the drain was only about 30cm deep.

“I could see that two turtles were quite thin so I decided I needed to try seeing what I could do,” she said.

She slipped through the tiny

space behind the grate and stepped into a knee-deep puddle of stinky water.

“I managed to grab the turtles that I could see initially and popped them out through the grate,” she said.

“I then felt around in the water and unbelievably, I found another four turtles.”

Locals praised Tessa’s efforts and said she was a “turtle hero/ angel”, a “living legend”, and “amazing”.

Watchers were also impressed with the size of the turtles.

“It’s huge!” said one young watcher enthusiastically.

The turtles are believed to have swum into the drain entrance when the lake level was high last winter, and been marooned when the water levels dropped.

Tessa released the seven reptiles (four females and three male) one by one into the lake, which was just a few steps away from where they had been incarcerated.

“The drive home was pretty smelly,” she said, “covered in swan and duck poo, mud and turtle stink juices.”

Cambridge council rangers have been alerted to the problem and Tessa said she would work with Water Corporation to engineer an exit solution for turtles when water levels dropped.

Life feels good when you feel at home.

Enjoy life within a St Ives community

Discover retirement living that puts a smile on your face and a spring in your step. It’s the positive feeling you get when you realise there’s an entire community around you.

More than that, it’s the choice of amazing St Ives locations, all with fantastic amenities and close to the things you need.

Cott to go to pot

By BRET CHRISTIAN

Napoleon Street in Cottesloe is to go ﬂoral with the local business group installing potted plants to enhance its appeal.

A total of 33 ﬂowering, nonallergic plants will be installed in spring, the council has decided.

One to three potted plants will be placed outside each of eight businesses along the street, described by a councillor as “Cottesloe’s beating heart”.

The plants will have a maximum height of 750mm, and be placed so as not to obstruct pedestrians or trafﬁc.

Two locations in Station Street have also been identiﬁed for pot plants.

The proposal came from ProCott, the local business organisation partly funded by a rate levy on Cottesloe CBD businesses. Maintenance will be the responsibility of ProCott.

The council will remove any plants not maintained, but at its

Why not experience St Ives Centro for yourself? Book a tour today at stivesgroup.com.au or by calling Libby Bridge on 0417 970 099.

The stench of success … Reptile rescuer Tessa Esparon saved seven turtles from starvation. INSET: One of the skinny turtles is released into Lake Monger.

Pot preparations for picturesque petals.

Early birds get the vote

By JEN REWELL

More than 3300 votes were cast by Curtin early birds on the ﬁrst day of pre-polling.

Claremont Showground had 1265 voters while 1071 people voted in Subiaco on Tuesday.

Other pre-polling places are in Fremantle, Osborne Park, Warwick and Perth.

Australian electoral commissioner Jeff Pope assured voters that the problems that beset the state election would not be replicated at federal level.

The AEC would minimise waiting times, he said, with more polling places and more staff than the recent state election and the 2022 federal election.

“The WA state election was run by the WA Electoral Commission, a different organisation to the AEC,” Mr Pope said.

Curtin’s 117,297 registered voters are required to cast their ballots by 6pm on May 3.

Pre-polling booths at 420 Hay Street, Subiaco, and Gate 1 of the Claremont Showground will have a virtual Auslan interpreter and assisted wheelchair access.

The state election last month prompted a ﬂood of complaints about long queues, understafﬁng and a shortage

of ballot papers.

Temporary staff deployed for the 2025 federal election will be trained and directly employed by the AEC.

AEC mobile polling teams have visited residential aged care homes, which house some of the 23,000 Curtin voters older than 70.

Residents at Aegis Alfred Carson were ﬁrst to be visited in the western suburbs, with their votes cast by 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Mercy Place Mont Clare, Queenslea, and Regis Nedlands were due to be visited during the week, and residents of several Wembley facilities will be visited early next week.

People in the early stages of dementia who are still capable of understanding the signiﬁcance of voting are allowed to vote, but those who are unable to understand the nature of voting must be removed from the electoral roll.

Polling places will open from 8am to 6pm on election day.

Most primary schools and high schools have polling places set up, as well as many town halls.

Locations are on the aec. gov.au website, which also has options for people with

• Please turn to page 49

Kids kick goals at Claremont

By BONNIE CHRISTIAN

Two Freshwater Bay Primary School students and budding athletes have made a pitch to councillors to install soccer goals at Claremont Park.

Lola and Harrison said this would help build community and get kids off their devices and outside.

“After schools, children would be able to practise their skills with friends and family,” Lola told Claremont’s last meeting. “So, it would pull the com-

WHAT’S ON AT ST LOUIS CARE AT HOME?

munity together and create a healthy environment.”

Harrison said kids were grateful to be able to play in a safe park with friends and family and having soccer goals there would encourage more kids to go more often.

“Soccer has been getting more and more popular, so we should be encouraging our community to come down to the park and play a friendly game,” she said.

“As a soccer player myself, I would 100% get a group of friends together and arrange a meeting at the park so we can

play with the soccer goals.

“This is a healthy way to get kids off devices and play outside together.”

Mayor Jock Barker thanked the girls for their presentation and said Town staff would consider their request.

In 2017, six Cottesloe school boys kicked off a campaign to get their council to build a skate park.

It opened in John Black Dune Park to much celebration last year (Skaters pumped over Cott park, POST, June 8).

Let’s Talk About Aged Care Reforms

Wednesday, 7th of May 2025, 10:30 am, St Louis Estate, Claremont - Kingsmill Lounge.

The Dept. of Health and Aged Care with St Louis Care at Home invites you to a free discussion on the range of aged

that meet your needs. This will include reforms in aged care, including, Support At Home, the Aged Care Act 2025, and Strengthened Aged Care Standards.

Book with Tanya: 9385 3406 or email homecare@stlouisestate.com.au

New Cottesloe Home Care

Free consultations are available on

with one of our helpful

Open: Monday to Friday,

Walk-ins welcome.

Level 1, 525 Stirling Hwy, Cottesloe

Early voters flocked to Claremont Showground to cast their votes in the federal election. Photo: Paul McGovern

INCLUDINGANARTISANYALLINGUPSTAY,PRIVATEWINETASTING &LUNCHATEDWARDSWINES&MISSCHOW’SMARGARETRIVER, ANDBODHISPATREATMENTS ONEENTRYFOREVERY$100SPENTONBODHIGIFTCARDS. PRIZEDRAWNONMONDAY12MAY2025.

Please email your letter to letters@postnewspapers.com.au, lodge online at postnewspapers.com.au or snail mail to: The Editor, 276 Onslow Rd, Shenton Park 6008. All letters must include writer’s full name, address and daytime phone no. for veriﬁcation. Boring letters or those over 300 words will be cut. Deadline: Noon Wednesdays.

Trickle-down economics

I swim most mornings at North Cottesloe.

Having lived in the UK and Europe for the past 50-odd years, now returned to Perth and the beach of my golden Australian childhood, I am appalled by the utilitarian changing facilities provided.

We all know that we have to save water, but a shower with pathetic pressure that lasts ﬁve seconds?

Does that make sense?

Renovations that took months and a great deal of money, we understand, seem to have eventuated in a paint job and an adjustment to showers and toilets to make them worse, not better.

Perhaps a member of Cottesloe council could be persuaded to come and see the results of their investment in so-called “improvements”.

Our wonderful, iconic beach remains one of the best in Australia, if not the world.

The changeroom stinks.

Birds versus Swan River ferries – a delicate balance

I’m a big fan of the plan to have electric ferries going from UWA to Perth city.

But we need to avoid putting the ferry around Pelican Point by the old JoJo’s site (one of the locations now under consideration).

I’ve been bird-watching at Pelican Point for more than 25 years and have witnessed declines in migratory species that are part of a globally signiﬁcant ﬂyway from Siberia.

There are only three marine parks along the Swan River.

Pelican Point is the only one with a sandy shore rather than a seawall which, while optimum for the easy access of birdlife

Planning continues to ignore community sentiment

to the water from the shore, means that it would not be protected from the wake of big high-frequency ferries travelling at close to 25 knots.

The birds rely on the protected nature of the area to rest, nest and feed on seagrass which also needs to be preserved because it stops harmful nutrients developing in the river, as well as absorbing carbon dioxide. Internationally-protected waders visit us every summer, coming from as far aﬁeld as Asia, Mongolia and Siberia, and moving between the intertidal ﬂats of the three areas of marine park according to where feeding and roosting sites are available.

Sandra Ramini Hudson Mews,

Fremantle

Email letters to: letters@postnewspapers.com.au

POST editorial standards

The POST’s policy is to produce accurate and fair reports, and to correct any verified errors at the earliest opportunity, preferably in the next edition. For details of the policy please visit the editorial standards page at postnewspapers.com.au/feedback-policy/

Two weeks ago the WA Planning Commission approved a 23-storey tower in City Beach and on Tuesday April 15 the Development Assessment Panel, in another 3/2 decision (three unelected governmentappointed experts to two elected local councillors), approved a seven-storey apartment block in Booragoon. What do these two decisions have in common? There is a lot. There is community outrage, and many submissions ignored in both cases.

There are the recommendations to refuse from the councils and separately the city planners in both cases.

In each case, a centrally controlled one-off decision was made about what the future

should look like in City Beach and Booragoon.

Essentially, what the planning system is doing now is making instant rezoning decisions, which ignore the proper planning processes that protect peoples property rights. Centralised decisions by governmentappointed “experts”? Is this Moscow, Beijing, or Perth?

The instant rezonings ignore the impact on those following the rules. At the Booragoon meeting was a very angry property developer who had completed a compliant four-storey development just a couple of years ago. He felt like a fool for following the rules.

At City Beach, why have 23 storeys when 50 storeys might also have been approved? Where

does it end?

The planning decision-makers ignore private property rights, and the development bonuses have real value. Just ask the Booragoon developer who didn’t ask for any! He is steaming mad. The value of these bonuses comes from the pockets of the community. The community loses what is termed “Amenity”. Amenity is a bit of “the vibe of the thing”, but the R-Codes for your property deﬁne your share in it. If someone gets more than their share, you and everyone else lose.

Cottesloe should be very, very scared about what will happen to Station Street.

Ken Perry Dalkeith Road, Nedlands

Most migratory birds are seen from August to the following March. Pelicans, ibis, egrets and other birds also reside in the estuary. Owing to human interference, the number of migratory birds has already been reduced to ﬁve species.

The ferries cannot be allowed to further disrupt these birds and so should I believe stop around the Bayside Kitchen cafe (avoiding a Pelican Point transit).

We have many areas of the Swan River available for public recreation, but not many that are globally signiﬁcant for conservation purposes.

Tom

Wilson Fairway, Crawley

Over-hyped ... The inviting exterior is not matched by the quality of the water supplies inside at North Cottesloe. Photo: Paul McGovern

Over

Jewellery includes, Collection vintage Swatch Watches, estate, modern and antique jewellery, quality loose cut gemstones, diamond and precious gemset rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces plus good range of gold including guard chains, sovereigns, chains and more, over 400 lots.

Lovely range of period silver and others, excellent selection of Georgian and Victorian plus vintage furniture throughout the showrooms, quality oriental, Australiana, Vict & Edw English and French china most branded, art covering all walls to suit all designs, styles and budgets. Cast iron rustic statues and outdoor furniture, Ivory Netsukes, Coins, early books, collectables.

This is another huge auction –viewing will not disappoint with various estates and private entries from all over WA. 95% of this sale is zero starting bid – so you decide the ﬁnal price.

We get sales listings leads you.

Real estate agents don’t always have the best reputation—we get it. Some can make you feel like it’s all about them, and not you. But not here. At DUET, you are at the centre of everything we do. Yes, results matter, but so do you. Get in touch today to experience the DUET difference.

p urchase easy, enjoyable most trusted car dealer.

n the feedback

Dear John, I would like to commend the service of one of your used car salespeople in your Victoria Park Yard. The salesman’s name is Michael. I was looking for a replacement vehicle for my Hyundai Veloster and was unsure what to purchase. He was very accommodating, personable and available in assisting me with my purchase of a demo Hyundai Kona Electric. He ensured that the process of purchasing the vehicle was as apprehension-free as possible and I believe that he was fair to me and your company in regards to settling the price of the vehicle and the trade-in. After my dealings with him I would recommend your company to others looking for a new or used vehicle.

F. Elsegood - Manning

Don was friendly, knowledgeable and not pushy, making the whole experience easy and enjoyable.

A. Bettridge - Subiaco

was perfect for me. He was patient and made the whole process easy. This is the second car I’ve bought from the John Hughes Group and I highly recommend them.

G. Moses - Edgewater

Ahmad and the team were incredible to deal with. They were very supportive and informative,

H. Chisholm - Strathalbyn

A huge compliment to both Wes and Stephen for fantastic support and customer service. Two genuinely nice men who were so friendly and welcoming. Very professional and honest which is so refreshing. The car wasn’t handed over until it was absolutely perfect and that was very appreciated. Compliments to both.

A. Mulvaney - Rivervale

Ben was professional and lovely to deal with. He made the process clear and easy, as I had never bought a car from a dealership before. Would recommend Ben to others!

K. Robb - High Wycombe

I had a great experience with John Hughes Chery. Dean made the process easy and helpful. He was polite and professional, gave me plenty of information and followed up with me in a reasonable time.

M. Tricht - Madora Bay

Your salesperson was friendly, polite, respectful, accommodating and not pushy for a sale.

J. Lin - Harrisdale

My family and I visited John Hughes in Victoria Park just to have a look to see what car we with our 8 year old son. Miki was extremely helpful and considerate when it came to our

K. Stewart - Eden Hill

non pushy, listened to our requirements, made suggestions and was extremely professional. I would not hesitate to go to Marshall again.

A. Osborne - Hilbert

Had yet another great experience with John Hughes. We are third time returned business as we always feel secure in the product we are buying and the genuine service we receive. Paul, our service consultant did a great job looking after us with the purchase and follow up after the sale. Thank you again for another great experience!

A. Penn - Belmont

I just purchased a car from John Hughes and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. My salesperson, Miki, truly went above and beyond to ensure everything was seamless. From

Hughes to anyone looking for a new car!

J. Mckinlay - Cloverdale

Just purchased a new vehicle from John Hughes. Dealing with the salesman, Vince, was an absolute pleasure! He is extremely patient, I never felt pressured to make a decision, and most importantly he is a professional.

K. Bakewell - Safety Bay

It has been a wonderful experience, I could not believe how much detail is in the Chery and what do i say about Jules. He was very professional, he knew everything about the car and more. He also made you feel comfortable and made sure you understood things.

S. Smith - Oldbury

Awesome experience with buying a car, Dean was great, he wasn’t pushy and allowed us to take our time to decide what was best for our family. Highly recommend John Hughes when looking at buying your next car.

K. Raven - Champion Lakes

A huge thank you to Han and the team at John Hughes pre-owned for helping me choose a lovely vehicle after an accident a couple of weeks ago. Han was very approachable, friendly Made a very anxious time choosing a replacement vehicle that much calmer.

H. Murrison - Byford

I purchased my Chery EX from John Hughes. I dealt with Dean and from the test drive all the way through to the handover and he has made it a seamless experience. Dean was very professional, courteous and would always get back to me in a timely manner.

A. Malik - Kewdale

We felt that Locklyn was very pleasant to deal with and felt very comfortable. He explained everything with absolute precision. This very young man came across as a very professional amateur. My opinion is that this is one guy you need in your organisation long-term. Thank you, John. Hopefully we will be back quite soon to look at purchasing another vehicle.

R. Shipley - Huntingdale

John Hughes

I recently bought a car from John Hughes and was assisted by Paul. He was a massive help process easy and smooth. I would highly recommend them!

J. Rennie - Halls Head

Michael was our car salesperson and he really went above and beyond in his role. The whole process took less than 24 hours until we got the car! I’ve been in customer service roles before so I don’t give praise lightly. Any queries or questions we had he was only a phone call away and would get back to us within a few minutes. I especially like how he and others there praise well taken care of. I would highly recommend buying through John Hughes.

J. Ordell - Wooroloo

My partner and I had the pleasure of dealing with Han from John Hughes when buying our new car. Han was very helpful right from the start and answered any and all questions. He went above and beyond to make sure we made the right decision and made the whole process a breeze. We couldn’t be happier with our purchase and would highly recommend John Hughes.

K. Heerden - Bushmead

I purchased a Chery Omoda 5 from Dean and he was amazing. I am so in love with my new car. It really has exceeded all of my expectations. It is awesome. Thanks Dean and John Hughes!

N. Jordan - Karrinyup

After buying four MG’s over the last eight years I can honestly say the service I have received consultant, was at all times knowledgeable, non pushy, and someone I would be happy to deal with again. Well done!

T. Russell - Two Rocks

I recently purchased a new family car with the exceptional help of Miki. He was extremely welcoming to myself and my family, making the process smooth and without issue. If you are looking to buy a car with peace of mind, seek out Miki, I couldn’t have recommended him enough. The way customers are treated is the reason John Hughes is the best in the West.

D. Mangini - Yangebup

auto and I was a little nervous, but the salesman Mitchell was so helpful, not at all pushy like a car salesman of the 1980’s. Went for a test drive and discussed the best options for me and within one week I’m now driving my near new Cerato. So lucky to have found John Hughes.

C. Connolly - Gooseberry Hill

I recently purchased my car at John Hughes, I went through the test drive and inspection and then the purchase with a lovely sales guy called Han, who made me feel at ease, gave me an honest opinion and arranged transfer and collection. I am so happy with my purchase and the ease of buying. Thank you Han.

P. Lucas - Shoalwater

A massive thank you to Mitchell and Tamika for making buying a car an absolute pleasure. Mitchell was non pushy and honest in his communication, whilst Tamika worked her magic with that people consider John Hughes.

P. O’Malley - Thornlie

I purchased a Chery Omoda 5 GT from Dean, the service I received from him was excellent. His dedication, professionalism and commitment to providing exceptional customer service is highly appreciated. I honestly think he should be awarded salesman of the year.

R. Oliveria - Bertram

purchasing a used Corolla. Miki has a fantastic personality and that made the entire experience Miki to friends and family. The service culture at John Hughes is truly impressive.

R. Andrew - Thornlie

John, you’re a credit to your word. Han, the salesperson that looked after me was excellent. He followed your policy, not pushy, but very respectful to me. He listened to my needs and went above and beyond to get me a car that I wanted. Because of his professional manner I professional. My brother is now looking at your yard for a car and I will be taking my mother there in the future to purchase a new car. I will be back to buy another car from you.

D. Cahill - Langford

Michael is an absolute legend! Made my whole experience fantastic. I was apprehensive about everything a breeze. Highly recommend John Hughes. Great team. Shout out to Tamika in

D. Ferre - Beckenham

Justin was really professional and gave us space to decide in our own time. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the usual pushy/predatory sales people I’ve come across at other places. I would 100% deal with him again.

B. Tonga - Bassendean

Everything in this world today seems to be hard, but the whole process at John Hughes was recommend you to others.

K. Allen - Glen Forrest

P. Mazzucato - Merriwa

I have to say, I was absolutely blown away by the outstanding customer service at John Hughes Hyundai. I initially planned to just explore the i30 Hybrid, but from the moment I stepped in, the experience exceeded all expectations. Neil, the salesperson, answered every question I had - trust me, there were a lot - with patience, professionalism, and a friendly demeanor that made the whole process not only easy but genuinely enjoyable. His mix of knowledge, humor, and approachability made what could have been a stressful decision feel like a breeze. Thanks to Neil’s fantastic guidance.

C. Robertson - Gosnells

I went to John Hughes to look for a new car this weekend. Tam was so helpful and assisted me every step of the way. He made the whole process smooth and went so fast. He assisted me

received from Marshall has been great. Throughout the process he has been extremely professional and genuine. He’s also been so respectful throughout all communications. I initially placed an inquiry for a vehicle and the following morning, about an hour before I was due to see the car, Marshall called to advise the vehicle had been sold the previous day, he let me know he

the bomb, honestly he is gold, everything he has done from the moment I made the enquiry to securing the car, has been dealt with in the most positive professional upbeat manner, nothing was too much trouble for him. Honestly I wish everyone I dealt with was like Marshall.

Dear John, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sorting out my daughter’s car, and at the same time thank you for the service you have given me over the past 50 years. I purchased the business. I have since dealt with you and purchased vehicles for myself and my family, I have also recommended people to you over the years. I remember an address you integrity. You always do the right thing for people as long as they are not being unreasonable. with the service. I don’t usually write letters of this nature but I felt that I just would like to let you know personally after all these years.

A. Shuttleton - Two Rocks

available and took the time to understand what we were looking for. I appreciated his customer Dean and would recommend him to others in the market for a new car!

A. Spragg - Perth

Adam from Rockingham dealership is the nicest and least pushy salesman I have had the up the car.

Guy while Neil was on a break. Each person was friendly and helpful. Neil was great explaining everything and helping us along the way.

I had a great experience, everything was super easy and my new car is amazing!

S. Love-Nally - North Perth

Tam was honest, courteous and incredibly helpful. He made organising a new car easy. I always heard John Hughes had a good reputation but my interaction with this bloke made it undeniable.

communicate with. I love my new car and he made the overall experience exceptional. My family has said they would come back to see Matt when looking for their new cars.

The sales person was great at communicating and informing me on every process.

the purchase of a new Lancer 5 years ago. He was the best salesperson I have ever purchased through various options, and she was never pushy.

Not only was Ben great with the sale, his after sales response and service has been nothing

experience, all thanks to Mario! From the moment we walked in, he made us feel welcome and at ease. His professionalism, knowledge, and friendly demeanor made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. He took the time to understand our needs and was incredibly patient, answering all our questions thoroughly. It’s rare to come across such genuine and kind service recommend him if you’re looking to buy a car - he’s absolutely fantastic!

F. Raza - Balga

Ross was courteous, friendly, and professional without being pushy. He responded to my text messages without being pushy. Ross is young, which was refreshing. He treated me respectfully and spoke highly of John Hughes.

was fantastic and made the buying experience enjoyable! I am happy with the car and with the

I would like to thank Alan who helped me decide the car that suited my interest. He made the entire process so easy and was very helpful. He is the reason I would refer anyone that wants to

D. Karki - Tuart Hill

Gareth was fantastic to deal with. Helpful, honest and not too pushy.

Fantastic service and communication from Andrew, he went above and beyond, super helpful with every question I had!

D. Price - Pearsall

a personable and professional service.

Alazar went above and beyond and made me and my partner feel so welcome, he’s an asset to your company.

Dean provided amazing service, he was very friendly and made the process easy, quick and smooth.

J. Hatch -The Vines

am so happy with it. Marshall was kind and patient and overall a great help with the car sale. He organised trading in my previous car which made things so easy!

making and getting through all the process and after sales. Needless to say, we have never

D. Notopuro - Bentley

I had a great experience with Matthew. I was nervous initially about choosing and buying the

S. Sureish - Dianella

I am writing to let you know that I went into your used car sales yard and was greeted by a second hand car, after showing us a couple we then proceeded to walk across the road where we were then greeted by a lovely young salesman, Lewis, who showed me the car, and I fell in love with it straight away. Both salesmen were so courteous and never once pushy, which car yard. I wish Jonah all the best with your company as I couldn’t have asked for a more less pressure welcome, which is just the way I like it.

J. Gunstone - Swan View

us to get a rental car. Everyone who we spoke to at John Hughes were all friendly and helpful.

A. Chalcraft - Ellenbrook

helpful, listened, we will be back and recommend to all of our family and friends. Love, love driving my car, feels like home again.

M. Bain - Aveley

had such attention to detail previously. Great to see from the next generation coming through.

The communication was professional and did not delay any process. Marshall dealt with my application process and he was polite and very professional. I am grateful for the service and delighted with the car.

J. Singay - Mount Lawley

that he sells always makes it even easier. It puts trust in the salesperson and trust in the brand. He was very informative along the way. He was also patient when I was tossing up in the hourlong thought about putting a deposit down.

Buy mum a growing gift

Exotic, native, and indoor plants as well as herbs will be for sale at UWA on May 7 and 8, at lower prices than commercial nurseries.

The UWA Friends of the Grounds plant sale will be to raise money for the UWA gardens, or for scholarships.

The sale will be 11am to 1pm both days at the university’s Taxonomic Garden near Glasshouse B2, which can be reached via Entrance 3 off Hackett Drive.

Cash and eftpos will be accepted. Bring your own box or carry bags and park on Hackett Drive near Matilda Bay Restaurant. For more information email Friends of the Grounds UWA on alumnirelations@uwa. edu.au.

Travelling?

Send us a POSTcard!

It’s a western suburbs tradition to travel with a copy of the POST and send us your holiday snap with it. mailbox@postnewspapers.com.au

Ask the Curtin candidates

The Hollywood-Subiaco Political Discussion Group is inviting members of the public to a Curtin candidates’ forum on Monday, April 28.

The group, an adjunct to the Hollywood-Subiaco Learners, has invited independent incumbent MP Kate Chaney, Liberal candidate Tom White, Labor’s Viktor Ko and Kitty Hemsley from the Greens.

Attendees are invited to compare the candidates’ platform presentations and their responses to questions from

members of the public. Proceedings will be followed by informal discussion and refreshments in the bar.

The forum will be at Hollywood-Subiaco Bowling Club, 42 Smyth Road, Nedlands, taking about two hours. Arrive at 3.40 for the 4pm start. Entry is by a $5 donation to cover costs. Registration is essential – go to eventbrite.com.au and search “Curtin Electorate Candidates Forum”.

For more information phone John 0493 029 837.

Look into the Royal Show’s future

Royal Agricultural Society of WA chief executive ofﬁcer Robyn Sermon will be guest speaker at the National Seniors Australia meeting on May 8.

Ms Sermon will discuss the society’s plans for the Show’s future.

Her talk will be at 10am at the Mt Claremont Community Centre, 109 Montgomery Road. Entry is $5 for National Seniors Australia members and $10 for guests, which includes morning tea. For more information phone Marion Laws on 0437 115 751.

Learn English for fun and friends

Would you like to learn or improve your English speaking skills?

Term 2 classes for adults will start on Wednesday, April 30, at St Matthew’s Church on the corner of Onslow and Derby roads in Shenton Park.

Between 9am and noon there will be classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced English speakers, plus those

preparing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

The classes cost $5 a week, which includes morning tea.

They are a great way to practise English and make new friends from around the world.

For more information email stmattsenglish@gmail.com or just turn up.

Here when you need us.

Meet the people behind the care you can count on.

We’re proud to serve our community — because we’re part of it too. Our team of experienced doctors brings not just skill, but heart, into every consultation. Whether you’re visiting for a check-up, something more serious, or just some peace of mind, we’re here for you — with care that’s personal, thoughtful, and close to home.

Green your world at the UWA Friends of the Grounds plant sale in May.

Dr Rose Anthony Dr Jasmine Bell Dr Natalia Bovell Dr Paris Bovell Dr Christine Caffrey

Dr Roxanne Connaughton

Dr Lesley Enzor Dr Oliver Smyth

Dr Julius Varano

Birds flock to Lake Claremont

It’s hard to imagine that the natural bushland at Lake Claremont was once a golf course fairway.

After the course was closed in 2009, members of the local community worked with the Town of Claremont to transform the space into a natural habitat. It was to provide an inviting place for people to walk, jog, cycle or just enjoy the quiet.

A Friends of Lake Claremont spokesman said the new surroundings are being enjoyed not only by humans; the number of bird species seen around the lake has doubled and a reintroduced population of quenda, also known as southern brown bandicoots, is thriving there.

Soprano Beth Redwood to perform in Germany

Join soprano Beth Redwood for an afternoon of classical music in Swanbourne on May 3.

Beth will be joined by guest artists Olivia Ferguson, Laurence Westrip and Lydia Lai, to perform a selection of operatic arias, musical theatre classics and contemporary pieces.

“It will be a concert that has something for everyone,” she said.

“I am excited to sing some of the most loved pieces from a range of genres with such talented guest artists.”

Proceeds will help to assist

Beth ﬁnancially as she undertakes further operatic training in Germany this year.

She will sing with the Lyric Opera Studio in Weimar and perform the role of Susanna in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in July.

Her May 3 concert will be at the Church of the Resurrection at 105 Shenton Road.

The music will start at 4pm and refreshments will be available during interval.

For tickets, go to trybooking. com and search “Beth Redwood: Weimar Bound”.

The revegetation project had been the latest of many changes to the lake’s environment in the past 200 years.

To enjoy Lake Claremont and learn a little more about its history, the Friends of Lake Claremont volunteers will offer three free guided walks in May.

Shorter 45-minute walks on the lake’s eastern side will be May 1 and May 26 and a longer walk of 75 minutes on the lake’s west side will be on May 17. All walks start at 10am from the Tree of Wonder sculpture near the Tee Box Cafe in Lapsley Road, Claremont. Bookings are not required. Just turn up.

For more information email Friends of Lake Claremont at folc.wa@gmail.com.

Uncover music to treasure in Freo

Fremantle music festival

Hidden Treasures will return in June with a new format and new venues. It will be at the Buffalo Club in Fremantle’s historic West End on June 5, North Freo Bowlo on June 12, and Hilton Park Bowling Club on June 19.

Creative programs lead Ofa Fotu said Hidden Treasures would always be a celebration of live music in Walyalup (Fremantle).

This year local artists had ar-

ranged the program, she said.

“Hidden Treasures is like a rite of passage for local emerging musicians, so we’re excited to see the new talent that takes to the stage this year,” Ms Fotu said.

Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said Hidden Treasures had been the heart of Fremantle’s music scene for more than a decade, and it continued to evolve.

“Over the past 14 years it’s introduced audiences to new artists and unearthed live music

venues in the most unexpected of places,” she said.

“With all the gigs on offer, and the broader scope with new locations, there’ll be no excuse to be stuck on the couch this winter.”

Previously Hidden Treasures has been presented as part of the Fremantle Festival program, which this year will go ahead separately in August.

For more information about the Hidden Treasures music festival go to hiddentreasuresfreo.com.au.

The former golf course fairway which is now a quiet place to walk, jog, or enjoy the natural beauty.

Beth Redwood performing in Government House

Walk through Nedlands on Monday May 5 to discover where black cockatoos like to seek food, water and shelter.

The walk is being organised by the Royal Western Australian Historical Society and will be led by Dr Christine Groom.

Dr Groom is the author of Creating Black CockatooFriendly Suburbs, released last year by UWA Publishing.

Black cockatoos are struggling to ﬁnd enough food to survive, and Dr Groom will outline how we can help them by creating greener spaces which beneﬁt people too.

Dr Groom lives in the Perth Hills, where Carnaby’s cockatoos are regular visitors to her garden.

For her PhD she studied Carnaby’s cockatoos in the urban landscape of Perth in 2015.

The walk on May 5 will be

Go to three good talks about World War II

Free up your schedule for three fascinating talks about World War II, to be presented by the Hollywood Subiaco Learners group in coming weeks.

On Friday May 16 former naval ofﬁcer Garry Coombe will give a presentation titled The Tragedy of the USS Indianapolis, the last major surface warship to be sunk in World War II.

Of 1195 crewmen aboard only 316 survived when the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese sub-

marine in the Philippine Sea on July 30, 1945. No US warship sunk at sea has lost more sailors. Its wreck was found in 2017.

Captain Charles McVay was court-martialled for the ship’s sinking, but in 1996 a schoolboy and survivors persuaded a US Senate committee to review the ﬁnding, which resulted in the captain’s eventual exoneration.

On Friday June 20 Vernon Benjamin will give a talk called Air War Over Germany, the First

of the Second Fronts. It will cover the Allies’ bombing of Nazi-occupied Europe in World War II, with particular mention of Australia’s contribution.

On Friday July 18 Army Museum curatorial volunteer Robert Mitchell will present Here, There and Everywhere, charting both here and abroad where Subiaco men and women served in World War II

The presentation will be supported by artefacts from the

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia.

The talks will be at the Hollywood Subiaco Bowling Club, 42 Smyth Road, Nedlands from 3 to 4pm. Register at 2.45pm.

Cost $5 per session for members and $10 for non-members, cash only. RSVP is essential to donarosa49@gmail.com.

For more information ﬁnd Hollywood Subiaco Learners on Facebook.

from 10 to 11am, starting and ending in the carpark at the corner of Melvista Avenue and Loton Road.

Cost $25 and numbers are limited, so booking is essential. For more information, and to book phone 9386 3841 or email admin@histwest.org.au.

Class of 75

A Floreat resident is calling on fellow former students from Belmont Senior High School’s Class of 1975 to come along to a reunion.

Brian Dawson said many of the students now lived in the western suburbs.

He said the 50-year anniversary reunion would be on November 23 from midday, with the venue yet to be conﬁrmed.

Students from his year who left in 1974 were also invited. “It’s been 50 years,” he said. “What better way to celebrate this milestone than with a reunion?”

For more information, and to express interest in attending, phone Brian 0403 193 349, Richard 0452 661 441, or Robyn 0452 661 441.

Find out how to help the Carnaby’s cockatoos with a walk in Nedlands. Photo: Paul McGovern

Find a good home for all your unwanted art

Are you looking to rehome works of art you no longer like or have room for?

The Lions Club of Floreat is calling for donations of unwanted art which is still good but whose owners no longer have space for.

The works of art will go into the Second Chance Art Show on May 23 and 24 to beneﬁt the club’s increasing administrative costs.

Any surplus funds raised will be used to offer grants and other means of community support.

Club members had noticed friends and family saying they

no longer had room for works of art which were too good to be thrown away.

The Second Chance Art Show will be on Friday and Saturday May 23 and 24, 10am to 2pm in the Boulevard Room at the Boulevard Centre, 99 The Boulevard in Floreat.

Unsold art will be kept for next year’s sale, given to local school students to repaint, or donated to local charity shops.

If you would like to donate works of art email Floreat Lions secretary Dawn at Floreatlions@ gmail.com or phone 0418 181 267 to arrange a collection or drop-off.

that need a new home.

Collections

History in music, in heritage church

Hear lesser-known stories of Western Australia’s heritage with a concert this Saturday, April 26, at Christ Church in Claremont.

Join performers from the West Australian Folk Federation who will tell stories through song and spoken word.

The program of original and traditional music, from 2 to 5pm at the heritage-listed church. will feature music written by Bernard Carney.

The church, at the corner of Queenslea Drive and Stirling Highway in Claremont. was built in 1892 of limestone quarried in Cottesloe.

The Here’s to the West Concert – History and Heritage in Song is presented in conjunction with The National

You

Professional historian

Sue Graham-Taylor will be guest speaker at the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club main branch meeting on Friday May 2.

Dr Graham-Taylor is writing a history of the club, which turned 100 last year.

She will outline how the club started, 40 years after similar

Tickets are $20 at the door.

The concert will feature music written by the prolific, awardwinning, West Australian songwriter Bernard Carney, pictured.

Club marks 100 years in the wild west

who were part of the club’s start, and the impact of early club activities such as exhibitions and wildlife shows.

A professional historian and researcher who was curator of history and sustainability at the Western Australian Museum, she has curated exhibitions such as the WA Museum Boola Bardip’s Changes gallery that examines environmental

She is involved with the Conservation Council and volunteers with the Swan Estuary Reserve Action Group.

The Naturalists’ Club’s May 2 meeting starts at 7.30pm in the Hew Roberts Lecture

All are welcome. Entry is via a $3 donation for members or $5 non-members and includes a chance to win the door prize. For more information go to wanaturalists.org.au and

through the bushland at Allen Park on Sunday May 4 from 8am

Meet in the Heritage Precinct (near Mattie Furphy House) at Clare Copse, Allen Park. Bring

Places are limited to 20 people, so registration is essential. For more information and to register email melonhillbg@gmail. com or phone Judy 0428 294 876.

Lions Club Floreat members from left Dawn Testrow, Carol Grace and Manijeh Amir-Ansari with artworks

Your best move Down South.

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Perched high above sea level with breathtaking north-easterly views over Geographe Bay, this stunning property blends beauty, space and luxury in one unforgettable package.

The main residence boasts 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, plus a selfcontained two-storey studio.

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Shirley and Shirley turn 90 and 90

The West Coast Bridge Club is celebrating the 90th birthdays of two longstanding members, Shirley Bloch and Shirley Drage.

And both thank the game of bridge for keeping them mentally sharp and socially connected.

Each has been a dedicated member of the club for many years, and together they have competed as bridge partners for more than 20 years.

As a team they’ve represented the club in Australian championships four times, placing fourth each time.

They still play competitively every week.

Shirley B. said playing bridge had been integral to her social life for many years.

“Coming each week, often many times a week, has been a highlight,” she said about the West Coast Bridge Club.

All on

The art of filming history

WA film-maker Paul Barron will discuss his love of history at the Royal WA Historical Society’s annual lecture in July.

Paul’s long and accomplished career with Barron Films includes the Logiewinning Tracks of Glory mini-series set in 1903, and

the Such Was Life series on SBS about key people in WA’s history.

His lecture will be at the UWA Club auditorium, 6pm for a 6.30 start, on Wednesday July 2. Cost $40. Bookings are essential by going to trybooking.com and searching “History West Lecture 2025”.

Each week, the POST lists tradespeople who provide every kind of household service, from unblocking drains to unravelling the mysteries of your new television.They’ll do your books, clean or paint your house, landscape the garden, do handyman repairs or build an entire house.

Readers tell us they’ve carried out major extensions and renovations just by using the POST Trades & Services directory near the back pages of every edition. To advertise, email robyn@postnewspapers.com.au

So support POST advertisers - they make your free local paper possible.

For more information email admin@histwest.org.au.

Cambridge

Singles results: Congratulations to Debbie Saunders on winning and Annie Warre nder on being runner-up.

Wednesday April 16: Winners Rosemary Goddard, Phil Werrett and Michael Marsh. Saturday April 19: First Ross Williams, Rob Stevenson and Frank Honey; second Mark James, Colin Herring and Chris Westergren; third George Savage and Jay Medhat.

The Wednesday lunch and fellowship was enjoyed by all. The next lunch will be on May 21. Ladies pairs will be played on the next two weeks as well as normal social bowls. There is always room for more players.

“I especially enjoy the wonderful friendships I’ve made over the years.

“Bridge is also a game requiring concentration, problem-solving skills, and strategy, so it has kept my brain active.”

Her experience aligns with scientiﬁc research.

A 2000 study by Dr Marian Cleeves Diamond at the University of California found that playing bridge stimulated the brain by engaging multiple cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning and visual processing.

This helped to maintain mental acuity and delay cognitive decline.

The West Coast Bridge Club is at 33 Templetonia Crescent, City Beach and offers weekly lessons and playing sessions.

New members of all experience levels are welcome.

The next course for beginners starts on Monday, April 28. The cost is $10 per session.

For more information phone Betty Anderson on 0402 814 175.

deck for fun and bowls at Nedlands club

The Hollywood Subiaco Bowling Club in Smyth Road, Nedlands has a new, bigger outdoor deck.

All are welcome to see it – and enjoy a sausage sizzle – at the club’s open day on Sunday May 4 from noon to 4pm.

Club president David Allport said the deck upgrade not only improved the amenity for the club, but members of the public, social clubs and community groups were invited to hire it for function and events.

The club’s patio roof would also be extended in the next few months, which would further enhance the area.

The $70,000 project had been entirely funded by the members of Hollywood Subiaco Bowling Club, he said.

Hollywood Subiaco Bowling Club on 9381 8941 or 0438 189 425, email hello@hollywoodbowling.com.au or go to hollywoodbowling.com.au.

For more information about the deck area and open day phone

Dalkeith Nedlands

Social bowls on Thursday April 17, under the lead of Martin Adams, saw 36 bowlers playing in sets. Lindsay Richardson, Wendy O’Meehan, Les Pedder and Bruce Robinson won all three sets with a 20-shot margin. Other winners were Alan Davison, Gof Bowles, George Klug and Ken Brooke 2 sets +9; Ric Mapley, Tony Payne and Bruce Fiegert 2 sets +4; Heather Hince, Geoff Cahif, Julia Wallis and Ron Day also 2 sets +4; David Steinberg, Jeff Irwin and Phil Stewart 1 set +2.

Easter Saturday saw 28 players under the lead of club captain Martin Saunders. Best were John McCormack, Rod Tilt, Andy McGlew and

David Wood with a 26-shot margin; second Martin Saunders, Sue Harris and Rob Wood, +25 shots. Other winners were John O’Meehan, John Shaw, Debie Wilson and Les Pedder +14; and Lindsay Richardson, Pat Clohessy and Gwenda McIntosh +1.

The ladies’ singles got under way on Tuesday April 15 with Dot Leeson having a good day out with a first round win over Usha Nigam and then Lesley Langley, who had an earlier won over Trish Pianta. On the other side of the draw Jeannine Millsteed overcame Nada Bonnie who had made the second round after defeating Anne Ormsby. Dot and Jeannine will contest the ﬁnal.

The new and expanded deck is now complete and the club is looking forward to showing off the improved facilities at an open day from noon to 4pm on Sunday May 4.

Winter bowls are just around the corner.

Wednesday Scroungers had a good roll-up on April 16. The finalists were Darren Osman, Mari Noffsinger and Liz Walker. Liz Walker took out the ﬁnal. April 23 was to be the last organised Scroungers as it is getting a bit chilly and Wednesday afternoon social bowls will be starting soon.

Friday Pairs will be held on Anzac Day, April 25 at 1pm with names to be in by 12.30pm.

The club awards night will be this Sunday, April 27. That evening will also be the ofﬁcial opening of the club’s synthetic green. Inquiries can be made at the Mosman Park Bowling Club ofﬁce at 39 Bay View Terrace. Mahjong is held on Thursday mornings at 9am. Social membership is all that is required to come and join in.

Mosman Park

Shirley Bloch, left, and Shirley Drage say playing competitive bridge is not only fun but it keeps them healthy and active.

The smart new deck at Hollywood Subiaco Bowling Club is for hire and ideal for outdoor entertaining.

West Australian film maker Paul Barron.

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Want

Boost for stem cell pioneer

By Elisha Newell

NeuroScientiﬁc shares have been boosted after the company declared it would acquire a new stem cell technology.

The ASX-lister – formally known as NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals and founded by late WA business magnate Harold Clough –will buy fellow WA company Isopogen and its StemSmart tech to create what it calls “lifechanging cellular medicine”.

NSB plans to issue almost 86million ordinary shares to Isopogen shareholders to complete the acquisition, valuing the buy at roughly $3million.

The deal also includes

57million performance shares, scheduled to vest as NeuroScientiﬁc ticks off milestones like a special access scheme – a TGA initiative that allows patients to access investigational therapies outside of clinical trials.

NSB will use StemSmart to boost the efﬁcacy of mesenchymal stromal cells.

These cells, derived from human bone marrow, are isolated and grown in culture before the StemSmart tech is brought into the mix.

From here, the StemSmartboosted cells target a patient’s immune system, seeking to regulate immune responses so the body is better positioned to tackle life-threatening

Brownes Dairy up for sale

By Mark Beyer

WA’s largest dairy company, Brownes, has been put up for sale after its Chinese owner got into ﬁnancial difﬁculty over a $200million loan.

McGrathNicol will oversee the sale after being appointed as receivers of Australian Zhiran, which has owned Brownes since 2017.

The receivership will not affect Brownes’ dayto-day operations.

CEO Natalie SarichDayton said the appointment of McGrathNicol presented a rare opportunity to acquire the Balcatta-

conditions.

NeuroScientiﬁc founding director Anton Uvarov said: “This acquisition not only complements our existing pipeline of therapeutic peptides, but also strategically positions us at the forefront of next-generation biologics.

“Stem cell therapies are rapidly gaining global recognition as a transformative therapeutic modality.”

Early ﬁndings from a clinical trial of Crohn’s disease patients have been positive.

The Best Building in Margaret River

based dairy.

Brownes recently reported a 10% rise in annual revenue to $268.7million which ﬂowed through to a $4million net proﬁt last year, up from $3.2million in 2023.

The growth in revenue was driven by increased sales to export markets including Singapore, Malaysia and the UK.

Brownes, which was established in 1886, was part of the Perth-based Peters & Brownes Group until 2002.

It was then owned by New Zealand giant Fonterra and Sydney pri-

vate equity fund Archer Capital.

Rival producer Masters Dairy, established in Byford in 1925, launched an advertising campaign last year promoting its Australian ownership.

WA’s third major dairy company, Harvey Fresh, is owned by Italian company Parmalat, which in turn is controlled by French dairy giant Groupe Lactalis.

Another smaller player is Bannister Downs Dairy, which is jointly owned by its Northcliffe founders Sue and Matt Daubney, and Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting.

More worker mobility

By Sam Jones

The Albanese government’s pledge to end noncompete clauses for low and middle-income workers will place Australia in line with similar international moves.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed the changes would apply to workers earning below the high income threshold of $175,000 a year deﬁned by Fair Work.

lawyer to go to a higherpaying job,” he said.

“Even where noncompete clauses aren’t legally enforceable, they can lower worker mobility.

“Research suggests the reforms could lift the wages of affected workers by up to four per cent, or about $2500 per year for a worker on median wages.

Non-compete clauses prevent or restrict an employee from moving to a competitor and can restrict movement for a period of time or for a geographic location.

Dr Chalmers said the reform was necessary after a Treasury Competition Review heard troubling accounts of misuse of the clauses, particularly cases of minimum wage workers being sued by former employers.

“Australians shouldn’t need a

“Productivity Commission modelling suggests the changes could improve productivity and add $5billion dollars, or 0.2 per cent, to GDP annually, as well as reduce inﬂation.”

A 2023 McKinnon poll found 20% of 3000 respondents had a non-complete clause. Many of those surveyed were low-wage workers with little to no bargaining power.

The Albanese government’s move reflects those made or proposed by other governments.

Up for sale … CEO Natalie Sarich-Dayton said Brownes could have a new owner.

Harold Clough founded NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals.

Sarah McNeill sarah@postnewspapers.com.au

Strings siblings Semra and Shaun share stage

SARAH McNEILL

“It is a good thing I get to be concert master for Shaun,” said Semra Lee of her younger brother, Shaun Lee-Chen.

“Very little surprises me about his playing because I’ve listened to him since he was born.”

Semra is assistant concert master with WA Symphony Orchestra, and in the orchestra’s ﬁrst concert of its new baroque series, Baroque Brilliance, she will take the concert master chair and her brother will direct and play violin.

“Saying that I’m a ‘rogue’ player is diplomatic,” said Shaun, concert master of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. “I just get ideas, and I like to try them out on the spot.”

He justiﬁes his impromptu style, reasoning that in its day baroque music was often improvised and composers were not prescriptive in how it should be played.

Baroque music, at its best, was immediate and unpredictable.

“Pushing boundaries is when baroque is at its most successful,” he said.

Semra rolled her eyes and said, “It’s just Shaun being Shaun.”

They don’t play together very often but their easy chatter, teasing and mutual admiration is born of growing up with music in their lives.

Growing up in Churchlands with their violin-playing mother Hooi Tong Lee, they both picked

up the violin early and both played piano, but Shaun admitted that he was more interested in basketball and soccer than he was in music.

“The day mum told me I could stop piano I remember running as fast as I could to the Churchlands primary school with my soccer ball, running so fast in case she changed her mind,” he said.

Semra, who had accompanied her brother in all his music exams, continued with her violin studies.

“She was a genuine child prodigy,” Shaun said proudly. “Things came out of her violin that were impossible at such a young age. My violin teacher told me I was a ‘toad’.”

“I peaked at 13,” Semra laughed. She has been with WASO for 22 years, loving the variety and versatility of her role.

She is also a highly sought-after chamber musician and violin lecturer at UWA.

Despite claiming that it was only in his ﬁnal years at UWA that he realised he might have to get a job as a musician, Shaun graduated from UWA’s conservatorium with numerous prizes and is now recognised internationally as a master of historically-informed performance techniques.

■ Semra Lee and Shaun Lee Chen will appear together with WASO at His Majesty’s Theatre in Baroque Brilliance on Thursday, May 1.

Torn from Country – a connection restored

“Always was, always will be, is our mantra because we have been here for an impossibly long time and even through the brutalisation of colonialism, we are resilient,” said Boonwurrung woman, actor and author Tasma Walton.

In her new novel, I Am Nannertgarrook, Tasma tells the story of her ancestor who was among the hundreds of women and children abducted by sealers and whalers along the southern coastline of this country in the early 1800s.

As a ﬁrst-time guest of next weekend’s Margaret River Readers and Writers

her book along with the launch of her publisher Dr Anita Heiss’s new imprint, Bundyi Publishing (Simon & Schuster Australia).

Nannertgarrook (later known as Eliza) was a young pregnant Boonwurrung woman from the Saltwater country of Nerrm (Melbourne’s Port Philip Bay).

When she is abducted away from her family and Country, her family is lost to her, her voice is silenced

“There was a romanticised version circulating of relationships and affairs

men and ‘exotic’ women,” Tasma said, “but it didn’t take long to pull back the veil and take a clear-eyed look at the apocalyptic collapse of their world.

“I want to bring a long-ignored chapter of Australian history back into the light.”

Tasma grew up in Geraldton and says that the ﬁrst time she visited Nerrm she was covered in goose-

bumps. “I felt I’d been there before,” she said. “It is held in our DNA.” Re-engaging with the Boonwurrung language, which she uses extensively in the novel, Tasma’s story is a powerful and deeply emotional reminder of what connection to Country means. Also at MRRWF, Wiradjuri journalist and author Stan Grant will discuss his new book Murriyang: Song of Time, which explores the Wiradjuri spiritual practice of Yindyamarra – deep silence and respect – which he said was a response to The Voice referendum. ■ MRRWF runs from May 2 to 4. For program details go to mrrwfestival.com.

SARAH McNEILL

■ Boonwurrung woman, actor Tasma Walton and Wiradjuri man, journalist Stan Grant.

hanging

AROUND THE galleries

Gullotti Galleries in Cottesloe is the only gallery in Australia to show the work of German-based contemporary painter and sculptor David Uessem. The gallery currently has ﬁve major pieces on show that illustrate why the world has become captivated by Uessem’s style of fusing traditional oil painting with contemporary pop culture. His large portraits meld hyper-realistic portraits with surreal compositions including shiny foils and sequins, disco balls, astronaut gear, ﬂower helmets or Mickey Mouse ears. The works are on show until May 10.

■

Last month the Italian Consul celebrated Perth as

one of the world’s leading cities for the promotion of Italian culture, with a gala night at Royal Perth Yacht Club. The event featured Italian fashion designers, cars, opera arias and visual art provided by Claremontbased company Arte Arechi, which specialises in promoting renowned Italian artists and emerging contemporary Australian artists of Italian heritage. Its collection, titled Possible Worlds, launched at the gala, features renowned Italian artists exploring themes of urbanisation, environmental issues and social inequality. It is now showing and selling works at several locations: The Agency Gallery, Bay View Terrace, Claremont until May 7, and Bacco restaurant in Onslow Road, Shenton Park and QT Hotel, Barrack Street, Perth, both until June 30.

Thumbnails dipped in tar

The last previous factbased ﬁlm set amid a 1970s South American coup d’etat was Walter Salles’ deeply moving Brazilian political drama I’m Still Here, about a “disappeared” former congressman.

From director Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty), The Penguin Lessons is set against the backdrop of Argentina’s 1976 military coup and very loosely addresses the 30,000 people who were similarly “disappeared”.

But it couldn’t be tonally further from Salles’ ﬁlm.

It is the feelgood and unlikely true story of a Buenos Aires English boarding school teacher (Steve Coogan) and his transformative friendship with a magellanic penguin.

Tom Michell’s memoir has been adapted by Jeff Pope, who wrote the Oscar-nominated screen-

play for Philomena with Coogan.

Politics and penguins is an odd thematic coupling, that ﬁnds its modest charm in Coogan’s signature dry, well-timed comedy.

It is an amusing chain of events that leads Tom, on a weekender in Uruguay and eager to impress a woman, to rescue the tar-soaked

I had a close working relationship with the head of my company until another administrative assistant came in. I was told to train her so I would be free to travel for the company. I successfully went to bat for her with the boss to get her a signiﬁcant raise, because she was underpaid, and when she had a death in the family, I organised for the company to ﬂy her east for the funeral.

Now she speaks disrespectfully to me and makes every effort to prevent me from interacting with our boss. She uses bad language in the ofﬁce and on the phone to colleagues and is daily unprofessional. When I confronted her, she was hostile.

In a couple of months her responsibilities will

bird from the beach of Punta del Este, then reluctantly adopt and smuggle it back into Argentina.

It’s the kind of strangerthan-ﬁction material ripe for tooling into spry British comedy.

Juan Salvador, as Tom names the penguin after Jonathan Livingston Seagull, is of course a

shift, and I will be back in the position of close assistant to our boss, but I no longer have that close communication I had originally. What should I do?

Audrey Audrey, to paint a realistic picture an artist must solve the problem of perspective.

You think your boss has a perspective problem. You are in a hurry for him to recognise how bad an employee this admin

hit with Tom’s hitherto disinterested pupils and his oddball Scandinavian colleague Tapio (Bjorn Gustafsson), as well as outspoken housekeeper Sofía (Alfonsina Carrocio) and her grandmother Maria (Vivian El Jaber).

Cattaneo hits familiar feelgood notes as Juan Salvador inspires Tom into becoming a less apathetic teacher, while Coogan nails the droll odd-couple com-

Where it is less successful is the subplot in which Sofía is snatched by political stooges in broad daylight, forcing Tom to consider his own cowardice watching it happen. It’s an unconvincing trajectory that sits awkwardly alongside the comedy.

Cattaneo fares better in a familiar English boarding school setting than the Argentinian streets, as does Coogan navigating comedy rather than drama.

If The Penguin Lessons teaches us anything, it’s that sometimes our natural habitat is where we thrive.

is, which means you are also in a hurry for him to recognise what a bad situation you put him in. You vouched for her. Now you have a person who can’t or won’t do the job properly. We can’t fault your boss for his perspective on this matter because you are the one who painted the picture for him. Your best bet is to keep quiet and wait this out.

Wayne & Tamara • Need some advice? Write to writedirectanswers@gmail.com

■ Kiss from a Rose by David Uessem.

■ The silences of the last sun by Riccardo Ruberti

■ Politics and penguins are linked by Steve Coogan’s droll, dry comedy as boarding school teacher Tom.

About indoors-outdoors connection

The absence of a barrier between the modern living area and nature’s embrace is the deﬁning characteristic of this modernist-style home.

Divided by north-facing floor-to-ceiling glass windows across its two levels, the 2011 home has the most ambient natural lighting and a doorway to fully immerse yourself in the expansive horizon.

would ﬁx those needs.

The home is “perfectly situated”, in a quiet part of Cottesloe about 300m from North Cottesloe Primary School and 400m from Presbyterian Ladies’ College.

“The location provides a walking distance lifestyle to the best cafe, gyms, schools, and shops,” the owner said.

A neighbour said she had lived there for 30 years, as it was simply the perfect place to settle down and raise a family.

$980,000 COTTESLOE

3/30 Jarrad Street

There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms in this apartment above the shops next to the Boatshed Market.

AGENT: Trent Vivian, Vivians Residential.

$3.125million WEST LEEDERVILLE

35B Joseph Street

The paint was barely dry on this new home designed by Daniel Cassettai and constructed by Nuich Building Company. It is on 344sq.m.

AGENT: Craig Gaspar, DUET Property Group.

$3.425million WEMBLEY

24 St Vincents Avenue

There were 10 offers for this architect-designed home, according to an ad in the POST.

The beauty is no different outside, with peace ensured by a screen of hibiscus cottonwood

“The views of the sky from the house, particularly the breathtaking pink and orange colours of sunrise and sunset, are truly mesmerising,” the owner said.

trees and a backdrop of a ﬂowing waterfall from the saltwater plunge pool.

“Sitting outside feels like being in a beautiful villa somewhere overseas,

calm and luxurious,” the owner said.

If the backyard wasn’t enough, a 10-minute walk to Cottesloe beach or a quick trip to the local cafe

After buying the house in 2018, the owner has upgraded the air-conditioning, upstairs carpet, indoor lighting, fencing, security system and pool equipment, and installed an electric gate.

The timeless stone, granite and marble ﬁnishes, interspersed with elegant wooden cabinetry, remain untouched.

– JACK MADDERN

AGENT: Tonia McNeilly, TM Residential.

$4million FLOREAT

14 Oakdale Street

Spadaccini Homes used a wide range of materials to build this contemporary 4x3, which settled on April 14.

AGENT: Scott Swingler, Shore Property.

■ Bi-fold doors link the indoors with the outdoors in this cool, modernist-style home.

BROOME

48 Demco Drive

$950,000

The plunge pool in the living area of this home built in 2000 is bound to be a talking point when guests come over. The sunken pool between the dining and lounge areas is one of the many quirky elements in the house near Town Beach Reserve, a great spot from which to watch Broome’s fabled Staircase to the Moon. The main living area on the ground ﬂoor has plenty to keep kids and grown-ups occupied. Watch TV, play pool, sip cocktails in the bar-style kitchen or just soak up the laidback vibe that Broome is known for. There are two bedrooms downstairs and a big main bedroom on the top ﬂoor.

COTTESLOE

267 Marmion Street

Offers

It has taken 50 years for this builder’s own home to come on the market. The family call it “Eagles Nest” because of the expansive ocean and city views from the elevated 774sq.m site near the corner of Clarendon Street. Mature trees on the extrawide verge screen the house, creating a secluded, park-like feel. As the family grew, so did the house to cater for everyone’s changing needs. “When the kids were small, we made a waterfall in the back garden,” one of the owners said. “This evolved into a spa when they were teenagers.” A two-storey addition at the rear has a large, multi-purpose attic.

Email julie@postnewspapers.com.au or follow Instagram@juliebailey_property

■ Shipstern Bluff, regarded as one of the wildest and most dangerous surf spots in the world, is a few headlands away from this Tasmanian cabin up for auction on May 12.

Get away in the Tassie wilderness

An off-grid surfer’s shack on a headland between Hobart and Port Arthur in Tasmania is the ultimate getaway between the forest and coast, according to owners Jamie and Ingrid Kwong. “Here, we are completely on our own, surrounded by nature, and we have private access to all of it,” they said. The experienced renovators bought the original shack in 2018 for $550,000. With the help of neighbours, they added wool insulation and a small bathroom and replaced the Perspex sheets with glass windows and doors. They lined the walls with roughsawn tasmanian oak from the local

timber mill and installed a new fireplace. Their cabin, called The Headland, is scheduled for auction at 5pm on May 12. Agent Marnie Canvin said the price guide for 863 Roaring Beach Road, Nubeena, was $1.5million. For more details, phone 0402 519 382.

■ Offers close on May 7 for a big chunk of West Perth land that includes the heritage-listed Ross Memorial Church.

Forrest family link to church

Why is the Uniting Church selling a house of God on a “mega-block” in West Perth? Subiaco resident

Gay Eivers asked this question in a letter to the POST (Uncertain future for historic church, April 5). The 1916 Federation gothic-style Ross Memorial Church is associated with Sir John Forrest, the great-uncle of mining billionaire Andrew Forrest, according to the heritage listing. Church services stopped in July because of decreasing numbers,

28 Circe Circle

Auction May 3, 4pm

The deciduous gingko tree, also known as maidenhair, is a living fossil, according to the Diggers Club, a gardening group. There is one in the backyard of this 1012sq.m property which is within easy walking distance of the shops, cafes and restaurant in Waratah Avenue. The front of the house has a subtle Georgian look in keeping with the traditional style of houses in the neighbourhood. The rooms are light and spacious, especially the 41sq.m main bedroom on the top floor which has two walk-in robes and easy access to an office. The home has a timeless, neutral palette with white walls and cabinets plus lattecoloured floor tiles and carpets.

a spokesperson for the Uniting Church of WA said. “Since that time, it was determined that the most appropriate use of resources would be to sell the heritage-listed church along with adjacent property in the West Perth block,” the spokesperson said. “Funds will contribute to general administrative requirements and missional activities of the parties involved. The Uniting Church WA is regularly reviewing its property needs to ensure appropriate stewardship of resources.” In November, the Scots Uniting Church in Albany was sold to a Cottesloe resident for $1.67million (Albany icon falls to Cottesloe buyer, Changing Hands, February 1). Meanwhile, the 5344sq.m property at 1202-1204 Hay Street and 80 Colin Street, West Perth, is being marketed via expressions of interest closing on May 7. The property, with three street frontages, is described as “unprecedented site aggregation” on the JLL website. Phone Sean Flynn on 0412 779 987.

Yallingup house has eye on the stars

A mini-observatory was among the many out-of-this-world features of a Yallingup home that sold recently for $3.03million. The seller, a scientist, installed the lookout after buying 187 Dryandra Avenue for $2.55million in 2022. Other improvements were a new pool, septic system, three-phase power, orchard, vegie patch and landscaping. Agent Louis De Chiera sold the four-bedroom and four-bathroom house on a 1.68ha site. REIWA figures show the median sales price in Yallingup is $3.2million, and it is taking an average of 77 days to sell a house and 47 days to sell a unit.

Solar-powered house up for inspection

Dalkeith residents will be wondering what’s going on when people start turning up at Andrew’s House next Sunday morning. It looks like

but the century-old house is 99% powered by solar energy. The threebedroom and one-bathroom home will be open from 9.30 to 10.30am on May 4 as part of Sustainable House Day. Andrew’s House is fully electrified with solar hot water, solar air heating, solar shed and a battery. It also has an independent water supply and recycled materials have been used wherever possible. To book tickets to see Andrew’s House and other events on offer, go to sustainablehouseday.com.

■ Chris Shellabear 0418 910 065.

■ Vivien Yap 0433 258 818.

■ Giles Tipping 0499 322 120. DALKEITH

■ The seller of this Yallingup house upgraded it with a mini-observatory and other features.

■ Save the date … this Dalkeith house, which is 99 % powered by solar energy, will be open to the public next weekend.

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SITUATIONS

Green twin tower vision

alfresco dining and some service apartments.”

Mrs Rinehart’s business interests span mining, energy, agriculture, fashion, property and strategic investments.

“Hancock’s existing premises in West Perth have served as the company’s headquarters since the late 1980s, with the Hancock family’s ties to the West Perth area going back many decades,” the statement said.

“In recent years, a series of strategic property acquisitions of nearby premises has seen Hancock secure a sizeable and valuable consolidated footprint.”

Hancock claims the building will also have “unique architectural forms” and a “lush landscape”.

“There is an emphasis on greenery and lush landscape that is visible and accessible from all parts of the building – a truly exciting ofﬁce design, well beyond what is typically encountered in the City of Perth,” it said.

“The development seamlessly integrates into the surrounding garden setting of West Perth, with around 60% of the site dedicated to landscaping and publicly accessible open space.

Ada fights creek ‘disgrace’

• From page 5

problem spending a lot of money renting new ofﬁces while the old council building just up from here lies empty.

“They charge residents thousands of dollars in rates, which keeps going up and up, while they do less and less.”

Almost three decades ago she stood up at a council meeting to protect the feature from another plan to get rid of it.

“The then CEO Chester Burton wanted to get rid of it and councillors were horriﬁed when they heard what was happening,” she said.

The council’s own website describes it as a valuable community asset.

“Theatre Gardens offers 2.6 hectares of green, shady landscapes with a running creek bed, open parklands and a waterwise nature play space, all situated around Subiaco Arts Centre,” it said.

“The play space encourages children to embrace nature play with the incorporation of natural elements such as water, sand and trees.”

The council administration was approached for comment.

It is understood the stream and ponds are being considered for replacement and that it will be discussed and determined by council as part of a future budget.

• From page 3

The ﬁnal section would be the main beach, where the council has been waiting since 2019 to get state and federal funding to pay for its masterplan that would see the No. 1 carpark bitumen ripped up and turned into terraced lawns. No decisions will be made on the path until opinions are received from the public.

The council voted on Tuesday to endorse a concept plan for community engagement.

The council’s biggest dilemma is what route the path should take between John and Napier streets, where it passes on the ocean side of the No. 1 carpark.

Three options are being considered – to keep it where it is, move it to the eastern edge of the carpark, or put it along Marine Parade where it would either take away some parking bays or run along the edge of the road.

Staff told a meeting last week that the preferred route was close to Marine Parade, especially as a 30kmh speed limit was being considered for that stretch.

Staff advised against taking car spaces from the present carpark.

The council has no funds for building the $30million 2019 masterplan, but the cycleway and footpath are part of that plan.

The various options will be advertised for public comment.

“A key feature is the unique green veil of planting which envelops the paired towers, enhancing the connection to natural elements.

“Open spaces at the buildings’ heart bring natural light deep into the floorplates via atria on two sides, while passive solar shading optimises daylight, views and energy efficiency, reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling.

“This project exempliﬁes an exceptional environment for both its users and visitors, and would be a true landmark in the City of Perth.”

Ned of Nedlands’ medal saga

• From page 6

boobytrapped with a concealed grenade.

“I yelled ‘grenade’ and ﬂattened myself but it didn’t go off because I hadn’t disturbed the top bananas,” he said.

He said after some time on tour, he became “streetwise” and was quick to react to situations that might otherwise have killed him.

“I wonder sometimes how the hell we got through it,” he said.

He was sent home after being wounded in the back when an injured man boobytrapped his own body.

“He did the old ‘pull the pin out of the grenade and lie on it’ trick as he was dying, you know.

“We came out and disarmed him, and the hand grenade rolled out.

“Well, because we were so late in the tour, we were on to everything, and as soon as I saw that grenade, I just yelled ‘grenade’ and spun around and dived, and of course, up she went.”

It was a “decent old blast”

Anzac

and he was hit in the back with splinter shrapnel that sent him back to Australia.

His many “uncles” who served with his father in the 2/2 commando battalion in Timor in World War II welcomed him home from Vietnam.

John said it was important that soldiers spent time with each other as they understood what others had gone through.

He said he loved Anzac Day and had spent years supporting Legacy and attending camps, where he had got to know many SAS soldiers.

“Those blokes, those Afghan blokes, treated me like I was one of them, because I was a combat soldier, and I heard all the stories over the time, and in all those years I never heard any impropriety,” he said.

“They told it like it was.”

John will read the Ode at the Claremont service, and march in the city with Legacy, and then plans to attend a reunion with 5th Battalion (5RAR), known also as the Tiger Battalion.

promise made and kept

• From page 9

The most compelling and detailed statement was from 16th Battalion Captain Louis Goldie, who knew them both:

“He landed at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915 with D Coy … Before leaving Western Australia Williams promised Mrs Anderson, mother of Lt Anderson … to look after her son. In February or March 1915 … [Williams] applied for a transfer to D Coy, stating that he wanted to be with Lt Anderson, who he had promised to look after.”

His statement conﬁrmed the horrendous losses of that night, that D and C Companies had lost all its ofﬁcers and sergeants (killed or wounded) early in the action, and Col (then Major) Mansbridge DSO had sent Captain Goldie to go and take charge of what was left of D Company.

“Whilst there,” he wrote, “I saw Williams lying dead across Lt Anderson who was also dead.”

The action at the time was so ﬁerce, there was no battalion diary covering those days and, in the chaos, their deaths initially went unrecorded.

For seven years, Harry had

been considered a deserter and a coward, when in truth he’d done his duty and lain dead on foreign soil all that time.

He was retrospectively declared killed in action on 2 May 1915 and his honour ﬁnally restored.

His brother Joseph died before his name was cleared but Isola and her daughter, who was also named Isola, received Harry’s badges and medals, and organised for his headstone to be inscribed:

“Honour the men who gave their all, the men who died at duty’s call.”

Leo’s grieving parents Ludwig and Mary were also still alive. A notice in The West Australian of July 1922 shows Isola (then remarried) was looking for, and hopefully found Mrs Anderson, to tell her Harry had kept his promise to her, and was with her boy when they met their end, together.

The POST targets a population of over 112,000 local people each week.

A “lush landscape” will mark Gina Rinehart’s new West Perth headquarters.

Bird disease not black and white

• From page 3

The syndrome has only been observed in Australia: ﬁrst in the early 2000s in Sydney, and the south coast of NSW in 2015.

Scientists suspect that the birds might be affected by a virus or parasite, but civilian theories range from poisoning from glyphosate, pesticides, electromagnetic radiation to inappropriate food.

Murdoch University researchers are trying to ﬁnd the cause of the neurological condition.

Bethany Jackson, from the university’s Harry Butler Institute, said impacted birds were showing symptoms such as weakness, inability to stand or coordinate movements – and in more advanced cases, an inability to lift their heads or breathe.

Extensive testing has found no known viruses, nor the common toxin that causes botulism.

“We’re providing expertise from the microscopic level of wildlife health, examining cells and tissues of affected animals or performing tests with our diagnostics teams to get some clues as to what is happening, through to the big picture work of assembling all the information and working step-by-step to hopefully reach a conclusion,” Dr Jackson said.

Researchers are urging the public who see a sick magpie to record photos and video and take details of the location and circumstance, and call the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055 for advice.

If the bird needs help, minimise handling, wear PPE if possible (gloves and a mask) and wash hands afterwards.

If you see multiple sick or dead birds in the same area, do not touch them and call the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

New trial over dog attack

• From page 10

the other dog was behind the complainant growling and barking,” he said.

Both dogs responded to Dr Golden’s command to return to him, and he secured them.

The court was told he approached the victim and asked if he could help him.

“The complainant showed the accused the scratches to his arm where the accused dog had bitten him,” Mr Gillett said.

The man’s injuries were treated by a GP who gave him antibiotics and a tetanus booster.

Dr Golden later went to his neighbour’s home, apologised and “acknowledged that one of the two dogs had a problem with aggression and was receiving training”.

Mr Gillett argued the behaviour of the two dogs constituted an attack under the Dog Act.

“The complainant was of the view the dogs were acting in a manner to cause fear for his safety,” Mr Gillett said.

Dr Golden disagreed with some of the facts put by the lawyer.

“There was no snarling, there was no growling, no barking,” Dr Golden said.

Ms Crawford asked him if he denied apologising to the victim. He didn’t deny the apology but said: “The guy was upset

Election costs go postal

The cost of running this year’s Cottesloe’s council elections has soared from $40,000 two years ago to $48,000 this October.

The council decided this week to again use postal ballots to elect its mayor and four councillors.

The WA Electoral Commission has put in its quote, blaming a 45% rise in postal charges and increased wages for the blow-out.

It says there has been an increase in postal charges since the last election with another in June awaiting approval. Cottesloe has 6400 electors, and the expected response rate is 45% for the non-compulsory poll.

Elections will be held for mayor, with Lorraine Young’s term expiring in October, and councillors Chilla Bulbeck, Melissa Harkins, Helen Sadler and Brad Wylynko.

Anzac Day landing on Cott

• From page 1

Club crew that came ashore at Anzac Cove.

and I was sorry he was upset but it doesn’t mean the dogs attacked him.”

He told the court he wanted to seek legal advice about the charges but would plead not guilty to the count of attacking without causing injury.

The matter will return to court on May 2.

Early birds get the vote

• From page 7

a disability, including those who are blind or deaf.

Curtin has six candidates – sitting member Kate Chaney (independent), Tom White (Liberal), Kitty Hemsley (Greens), Alexander Ironside (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation), Fred Mulholland (Legalise Cannabis) and Viktor Ko (Labor).

The Senate has nearly 50 candidates, including two each from GAP, Australian Christians, Citizens, Sustainable Australia, Australian Democrats, Libertarian, Gerard Rennick People First, FUSION, Socialist Alliance, One Nation, Legalise Cannabis Party, Animal Justice Party and Australia’s Voice.

There are six Labor senate candidates, ﬁve Greens, four Liberal and Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots, and independents Ky Cao and Kim Mubarak.

Adrian has since died of melanoma at a young age, leaving a wife and four school-aged children.

His children will be among the Trigg crew rowing on this Anzac Day.

Cottesloe club has a deep connection with the original

Anzac Cove landing as one of two clubs that sent members to Gallipoli in 1915.

The club, formed in 1909, was the second in Australia, and lost three of its members killed at Gallipoli.

At the 2015 re-enactment, the Cottesloe boat carried the names of the 1024 West Australians who served at Gallipoli.

That original boat named Dardanelles almost met a sticky end. After the commemoration it was shipped to England but was stranded on the wharf for non-payment of duty, and was going to be destroyed. British lifesavers rescued it and sent it to a club in Wales. They used it in France to win a bronze medal in the world championships.

Carey to bulldoze land grab

a result of the very acute and life-limiting diseases that these children have.”

Mr Carey wrote in his letter that “consideration” would be given to public comments on the excision during the advertising period, but he also appeared to rule out any prospect of it not going ahead.

“Upon the closure of the advertising period, the matter will then be tabled in both Houses of Parliament, with each House having 14 sitting days to pass a motion of disallowance,” he wrote.

The Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation ﬁrst proposed to landscape the land, described by chairman Ian Campbell as a “dustbowl”, without excising it from Allen Park.

The project would cost the foundation an estimated $4million.

But councillors rejected the proposal and the funding offer

amid concerns that a proposed management agreement could allow hospice operators to lock the public out of the park – a claim that was strenuously denied.

The Child and Adolescent Health Service, which will operate the hospice, asked the state government to take the land out of the council’s hands after the knock-back.

Nedlands has pushed an alter-

The POST targets 112,000 local people each week.

Anzac Day sport more than a game

Finding parallels to warfare is ever-present in sport, much to the chagrin of those who prefer to differentiate genuine life and death matters from those of mere hyperbole.

Yet it is understandable that the breathless language of sporting competition draws from the battleﬁelds and conﬂicts of partisan adversity.

There are the common themes of sacriﬁce and mateship; rivalries old and new motivating actions; the subversion of individual interests in the pursuit of a greater goal.

As Anzac Day draws the nation’s attention like no other day on the calendar, there is no surprise that the football codes use it to showcase their best attributes while paying tribute to the many thousands of people who have made this country what it is today.

The day is of course bigger than any game, but Australia is a sporting nation like few others.

For every person who wonders why there is so much attention on battles over a bubble of cowhide and hot air, scores of others ride an emotional rollercoaster driven by the fortunes of that ball.

the deck of your sustainably crafted Surfboard of SelfEntitlement.

Wiggle into your Wetsuit of Awakening stitched from recycled guilt and strap on your Leg-rope of Performative Liberation.

Now paddle out into the steaming cesspool of stinking corporate sanctimony where the waves are always breaking just short of any real change. Is there really time to turn the ship around with corals bleaching faster than a peroxide blond?

Not if MV Methane Maiden is made of iron ore smelted in a coal-ﬁred furnace far enough away that we can pretend it’s not our problem.

The waves are getting weird, the tide is tipping and surfers are ingesting microplastics like a whale vacuuming up the last dwindling shoals of krill.

At this rate, we won’t be paddling over the Great Barrier Reef, we’ll be stuck

replacing it or, at least, helping to cease hostilities for a while.

The ancient Olympics replaced actual warfare for a short period with an ofﬁcial truce allowing safe passage for the competitors and state representatives who came from all over Greece every four years.

Not everyone played by the rules, of course.

In 362BC, the city-state Elis breached the truce in a similar fashion to Russia in 2022.

Just as the Ukraine war demonstrated, though, a truce is only effective when all participants are prepared to honour it.

Sport has been widely recognised for motivating and sustaining people in the most dire circumstances.

My grandfather Ewart Johnson was at the Gallipoli landing 110

The

years ago and, a cricketer of some note in his early days in Kent, often spoke passionately of the famous match at Shell Green eight months later that provided a distraction to the Turks during the successful evacuation.

under way.

The subterfuge worked so well that every Australian was evacuated safely to ﬁght another day.

to talk about footy matches and things that had happened at Subiaco gave us some hope.”

cricketers converged on a small patch of flat land

‘ ’

Ewart would have loved to have played in the game but his role with the 3rd Field Ambulance, where he was no friend of his colleague Simpson, the nation’s most famous stretcher-bearer, meant he had other duties when the cricketers converged on a small patch of at land in a ruse designed to suggest normal business was

Ewart spent the next three years in France where one of his most intriguing stories involved an American major league baseball pitcher he encountered who demonstrated his ability to make an old tennis ball swerve and jump in the air.

That pitcher wanted to keep his arm in shape – whether in the hope of his career continuing after hostilities were over or because throwing a ball with control and imagination helped to keep him sane in a mad world.

Three decades later, Subiaco man Arthur Bancroft drew on football as he faced unimaginable challenges in Changi prison, the Burma railroad and on a small raft ﬂoating in the Paciﬁc Ocean.

Bancroft grew up at 192 Subiaco Road in a house that still stands today, played football for Subiaco in a short career disrupted by World War II and then drew on his playing experiences as a prisoner-of-war with no idea whether he would survive each day, let alone the war.

Bancroft also played in the Changi football season organised by Wilf “Chicken” Smallhorn, the 1933 Brownlow medallist, who like the American baseballer, understood the value of maintaining normality as much as possible in an abnormal world.

“Victoria” were captained by Sergeant Peter Chitty, the winner of the Changi Brownlow in the only season, while “The Rest of Australia” were led by Lou Daily, a Sandover medallist at Subiaco and team-mate of Bancroft’s brother Harold.

Sport provided hope and succour to those in the depths of despair; in return, some of those people are honoured by their sporting organisations to recognise their extraordinary contributions and inspire the players who came after them.

Andrew Christie was a Subiaco captain who was killed at Gallipoli a week after the landing. He is now recognised with a cup given to the Subiaco player whose performance this weekend

Woke Surf Wax is crafted under the waning crescent moon by Margaret River vibrational therapist and worm farmer Baz. Made from consensual bees and smelling like a hippie’s armpit Woke Surf Wax, because enlightenment ain’t cheap.

Woke wipeout on Tombstones break

finning through the Great Wall Garbage Patch where no amount of spell jars, high vibrational healing or crystal therapy will help realign our chakra.

Hermit crabs are shacking up in plastic cups thinking they’re Cottesloe beachfront mansions as petroleum clad surfers watch dolphins swim by Isolated Reef with six-pack rings stuck around their snouts.

The World Surf League act like they are the patron saints of sustainability while cosying up to diesel-guzzling car companies while oil and gas titans drill holes in the seabed big enough to swallow the last surviving turtle nesting site.

Nothing speaks true power louder than a ﬂoating LNG platform vomiting heat into the atmosphere faster than you can gag on the words offshore tax haven.

The ocean’s not clear blue anymore, it’s sporting a new oily carbon goth chic with accents of discarded bait buckets and not so sexy nylon ﬁsh-net

surfing with cameron bedford-brown

stockings.

We’ve got boardshorts made from recycled bulldust, stitched together by tears of low-paid factory workers with a hang-10 hang-tag sized helping of hubris.

Might as well plant a Fixer Upper sign on Earth, population three very confused cloned wolves and seven billion plastic drink bottles.

Surfers know you can’t clone Ningaloo reef back to life or virtue signal your way out of this mess when sea levels rise and we start advertising Peppermint Grove as beachside property.

Not between river and sea, but between a rock and a hard place.

Soon enough surfers will be nuking rad moves over a new Karrakatta surf break called Tombstones dreaming of a future where the only greenwashing we get is when we wipe out on a wave.

Later, when he endured a second sinking – as a prisoner aboard a Japanese transport targeted by an American submarine after being a gunner on HMAS Perth when it was torpedoed in the Java Sea – he used the prospect of getting a kick for Subiaco to keep up the spirits of a handful of survivors clinging to a tiny raft for six days.

“We kept our spirits up by talking about some of the things we would do if we ever got rescued,” Bancroft told me in an interview in 2013.

“I said I was going to play footy again on Subiaco Oval. And I did.”

It was similar to his experiences at a POW camp in Java where he managed to scrounge charcoal and pencils to produce a diary – since donated to the naval museum at Flinders naval base – and to draw a massive mural of footballers in action at Subiaco Oval.

ﬁgure overseeing the defence of Kokoda where he was badly wounded.

“There was a wall there and I managed to sketch Subiaco Oval with ﬁgures playing football and

“I reckon it helped. Things weren’t that ﬂash but to be able

Sister Margaret Honner taught at my school decades later where her father, wearing steel and leather callipers to overcome his shattered hip and recently returned from his position as ambassador to Ireland, made an occasional appearance.

“The battle we fought for the track may have just saved your nation,” Honner told his men at Kokoda.

“Your gallantry, your courage, your fortitude are an inspiration and I want you to know that you are some of the ﬁnest soldiers that I have ever seen.

“History will remember you, and in the years to come others will wish that they had your conviction.”

Sound like a football coach?

Anzac Day is a good day to remember that sport is only a game. But it is so much more than that.

Collingwood and Essendon meet on Anzac Day in one of the biggest AFL games of the season.

John townsend

THE Sporting

Major George Onslow batting in the match at Shell Green. It was designed to distract the Turks while arrangements were being made to evacuate every Australian from Gallipoli.

Arthur Bancroft

Colonel Ralph Honner

Use this shape to make a drawing. The best two entries will win.

�How to enter:

Do your best Doodlebug drawing in the box above, and fill in the entry form. Cut out the drawing and entry form and ask an adult to email it to sarah@postnewspapers.com.au, with “Doodlebug” in the subject heading. Or drop your entry off to our office at 276 Onslow Road, Shenton Park 6008, during normal business hours, or mail it to POST Kids at that address. For artists up to the age of 12. ENTRIES MUST ARRIVE BY NOON ON WEDNESDAY.

Name: Age

Address

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Phone number:

What have you drawn?:

Josephine hops into dance

�While there were lots of delicious lollipops, ice-creams, Easter eggs and bubblegum drawings this week, our main winners are Leonardo Valeri and Emma Donisi. Leonardo, 10, from Cottesloe, was thinking of Easter, but lunch, not lollies! He turned the doodle sideways and did a very detailed picture of fish frying on the stove for lunch.

I spy in the corner of the kitchen a little Easter egg that no one has found yet. It won’t be long!

Emma, 9, from Cottesloe, was not thinking of lollies at all, but drew a lovely picture of a narwhal whose long tusklike tooth is coming perilously close to the diver. Top marks for

JOSEPHINE is a kangaroo who loves to dance. Her little brother, Joey, tells her kangaroos don’t dance, they hop – but Josephine continues to point her toes and leap through the air.

When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully, Josephine desperately wants to dance like the ballerinas in pink tutus and silk ballet shoes.

When the prima ballerina twists her ankle, who will dance the lead role?

Can Josephine save the day, and more importantly, does it matter that she’s a kangaroo?

Sydney theatre company Money Baa’s touring stage show, Josephine Wants to Dance, comes to Perth for just four performances on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11 at State Theatre Company. This funny, charming musical about the importance of believing in yourself and realising your dreams is based on the picture book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley. It is directed by actor and singer Jonathan Biggins. Suitable for children aged 4 to 9 and their families. Book tickets through https://tickets.artsculturetrust. wa.gov.au.

Easter lunch beats lollies

Q. Why did grandma put rollerblades on her rocking chair?

A. She wanted to rock ‘n’ roll!

Q. What is 300 metres high and wobbles?

A. The triﬂe tower!

originality!

I love Leila’s portrait of her enjoying a lollipop after ballet which included “five clouds because I’m five”, Ava’s yummy bunny icy pole, Archer’s gumball machine and Lennon’s sweet shop. Olivia covered both Easter and Anzac Day with her Easter egg with a picture of a soldier on it. Good work!

Q. How do you make a sausage roll?

A. Push it down a hill!

Q. What do you call two rows of vegetables?

A. A dual cabbage way!

Q. What’s white and ﬂuffy and lives in the jungle?

A. A meringue-utan!

Tongue twister Juicy jiggling jellyﬁsh generally jump. Who’s there?

Knock, knock! Who’s there?

Dozen. Dozen who?

Dozen anyone know my name?

Vouchers will be valid for the next four weeks. These Doodlebug contestants have won.

Leila Francke, Archer Thomson, Stella Bolton, Johnnie Hawksworth, Lennon Gillam, Matilda Nicholls, Ava Li, Olivia Oyefeso, Andrew Gorski, Alethea Todd.

Emma Donisi (9)

Leonardo Valeri (10)