POST Newspapers 29 November 2025

Dad coke joke goes haywire

By JACK MADDERN

A warning message on a Christ Church Grammar School parents’ WhatsApp group spread like wildfire after some parents misinterpreted it as an offer of illicit drugs to dads.

Other parents did not understand it to be any such thing.

Mayors push back

Western suburb councils have joined forces to push back against Planning Minister John Carey’s plan to seize control of large chunks of their land for infill development.

The government has drawn 800m radius circles around Swanbourne, Cottesloe and Mosman Park railway stations to convert dozens of streets of established homes in single residential areas into high density precincts (End of the backyard, POST, November 22).

Cottesloe mayor Melissa Harkins told this week’s council

meeting that the leaders wanted to ensure that local precinct plans now under way would be incorporated in the government’s “improvement plan”.

Three of the mayors have said infill should instead be concentrated on the vast tracts of vacant government land alongside the railway line (see page 5).

“We recently met with the mayors and CEOs or representatives of Mosman Park, Peppermint Grove, Claremont, Nedlands and ourselves,” Ms Harkins said.

“It was decided in that meeting that a combined response would be sent to the West Australian Planning Commission outlining our desire for an orderly and

Carey’s land grab

proper planning process in the station precincts.

“It would acknowledge the work already undertaken by local governments in preparing our own station precinct plans.

“We have been informed by the WAPC that they will be preparing an improvement scheme for advertising which will build upon the relevant precinct plans already prepared by local governments.”

Cottesloe MP Sandra Brewer convened the meeting, to help

• Please turn to page 73

Infill madness, say readers

Local people do not believe that building luxury home units in the western suburbs will help solve the housing crisis. Lack of housing is the reason Planning Minister John Carey gave for forcing high density on streets of single houses in Mosman Park, Cottesloe, Peppermint Grove, Claremont and Swanbourne.

Hundreds of commenters supported Mr Carey on the POST’s Facebook page last week, prompting Labor MLC Katrina Stratton to suggest the paper would not run letters to the editor supportive of Mr Carey’s plan.

But by deadline on Wednesday, the POST had received none.

Meanwhile, the POST was inundated with letters criticising Mr Carey’s decision.

“His belief that high-rise development in these western precincts will ‘supercharge the delivery of more (housing) supply’ is misplaced,” wrote one local.

“No one on the government housing waiting list will be able to afford even a one-bedroom unit in these locations.”

The letters are published in this edition.

Another wrote: “It’s bound to fail. High-density zoning will increase land values to such an

extent that it will discourage redevelopment.”

Says another: “I have an unsightly 24-storey apartment tower close to my house, and another is being built. The state Government just does what it wants.”

“The arrogance of this government is breathtaking,” wrote another.

“We are used to sneer-pressure, but we are mortgage-payers, ratepayers, taxpayers along with everyone else and have a right to a voice at council level.”

Another agreed: “It is more than a planning reform; it is a

• Please turn to page 73

The embarrassing circulation of the message and picture started on a parent-organised camp at Rottnest for a primary school class of Christ Church Grammar School boys supervised by their fathers.

The message was later deleted.

One of the fathers sent a photo of a bag of white powder to the entire year parent cohort.

He told the POST he found the bag in a toilet at the Rottnest Hotel.

“Hi pubs going off – come round!!!” said the message attached to the picture.

Some parents reacted strongly to the message, which the author quickly deleted.

Screen-shots of the message were circulated widely to other parents outside the class group with much discussion.

The author said it was a warning and not an invitation for other dads to partake in drugs.

“What happened is I identified a white substance in the hotel bathroom, and there were lots of children around,” he said.

“I posted it in the parents’ chat to warn them.”

He said that he assumed the powder was an illicit drug after finding the bag.

“I posted it so they could be careful that there are drugs there.

“It has been blown out of proportion, and everyone I have spoken to has taken it the same way as me.

Cool as the sea breeze … cars and drivers that cruise the Cottesloe beach strip are the stars of a book launched this week. One snapped by Claremont photographer Ben Reynolds shows these two beach boys in front of a passing shiny Chevrolet. More page 14.

Reports by JACK M ADDERN and BRET CHRISTIAN

Carey plan ignores real housing needs

Planning Minister John Carey’s announcement promoting infill around railway stations puzzles me (End of the backyard, POST, November 22).

Why would you prioritise what would be very expensive housing in the very expensive western suburbs when the constantly-expressed massive need is for social housing and housing affordable, available and accessible to buyers wanting their first home?

It has also been said that private sector developers cannot make, or make sufficient, profit by meeting the great need for the types of housing that are in short supply, but can by addressing the desires of the well-off. Is this another form of the discredited trickledown effect?

One has to wonder what the motivation is for the Government to go down this path? As a socialist govern-

ment it has a philosophical mission to demonstrably address the needs of the lesswell-off in our community as its fundamental priority. My guess is the great amounts of money flowing from the property and related sectors funding election campaigns.

Laurie Taylor Clement Street, Swanbourne

Have your say in the

It’s been happening for a while in Subiaco – residents have not been consulted, and the city council has been ignored.

I have an unsightly 24-storey apartment tower close to my house, and another is being built on the Subiaco Oval site a few hundred metres away. That one will have 36 storeys.

The state Government just does what it wants, which is to fill the western suburbs with high-density buildings.

Just as with the Matilda Bay ferry, the Government decides, and no one can stop it.

Vivette Hughes York Street, Subiaco

World-class beaches, but hopelessly neglected facilities

As a Cottesloe resident of more than 20 years, I read with interest the recent announcement that the state Government will take over town planning for higher-density precincts near train stations, including Cottesloe.

I do not oppose increasing density in well-located areas – in fact, with the current housing pressures, it is necessary. But we cannot seriously talk about bringing more residents and visitors into the Cottesloe train station precinct without acknowledging the neglected state of our foreshore and basic public facilities.

Cottesloe and North Cottesloe are often described as “worldclass” beaches and are promoted as major tourism drawcards for WA. Yet anyone who uses them regularly knows that the public amenity tells a different story.

Toilets, showers, changerooms, paths, shaded seating and parking are, in many cases, outdated, under-maintained and far below the standard of other Perth coastal precincts.

Rockingham, City Beach, Scarborough, Mullaloo and others have all benefited from significant revitalisation and now offer modern, accessible and attractive facilities. Cottesloe, by comparison, has been left behind.

If higher-density development is to proceed around the Cottesloe precinct, it must be matched by a genuine commitment from Government – supported by the local council – to invest in the foreshore and core infrastructure. Otherwise, we risk creating more strain on already inadequate facilities and diminishing the very qualities that make Cottesloe special. This is not an argument against more housing. It is a plea for integrated planning, where we plan for people, not just buildings.

Cottesloe deserves at least a basic standard of foreshore and public amenity that reflects its status as one of WA’s most recognisable and loved beaches. Emma Pugsley Eric Street, Cottesloe

Double dose of insanity

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

The Government’s planning decisions are insanity personified, as is its fixation with public transport.

The plan: Let developers build high-rise apartments squashed into minimal space without providing parking spaces.

Very “Field of Dreams” – if we build it without parking, they will use public transport. Insanity! And zero evidence of humans making that choice. Just ask the neighbours of already existing behemoths.

Further insanity! Let’s ruin everyone’s amenity and put a dirty great platform in the river.

Insanity! Because we will still have to drive to the ferry and park our car (???) to catch the ferry to nowhere useful.

The only people using the ferry will be the very, very rich old people who live near the river, and if they go between 9am and 3pm it will be free.

And while it may be nice to catch a ferry November to March when, by the way, the university is closed, the winter trip in the rain and the dark will be no joyride.

We could buy a lot of buses for less.

Jen Townsend Alexander Street, Wembley

Cars trapped for four months

By BEN DICKINSON

A group of Dalkeith neighbours has been locked out of their garages for four months because of a developer’s subdivision project.

One Alexander Road resident’s car has been trapped in her garage since July, while contractors for Found Developments work to bitu-

since then as the project’s timeline has blown out.

“Both cars are being incrementally weather-damaged after 3½ months parked in the open,”

Mr Hubbard said.

“We were doing our utmost to be understanding for the first couple of months.

“The City officer who approved this open-ended [building] permit without any constraint on it must be held to account.”

Cott councillor quits

Cottesloe is short of a councillor after the resignation of Katy Mason, leaving a vacancy on the eight-member council.

Ms Mason is moving to Nedlands, making her ineligible to be on Cottesloe’s electoral roll.

didate in that election. Mr Pedretti said this week he would stand for the position in a by-election.

Mayor Melissa Harkins thanked Ms Mason for her service.

Cocky project ‘awful’

By BEN DICKINSON

Nedlands council’s acting CEO has sparked a war of words with WA’s Senior Australian of the Year after describing as “awful” his banksia restoration project at Point Resolution.

Arthur Kyron said he would investigate how acclaimed botanist Kingsley Dixon was able to initiate the Dalkeith project to restore critical feeding habit for threatened Carnaby’s cockatoos.

“It’s awful. That’s what I can say,” Mr Kyron said.

“It looks awful, it doesn’t present the City in a positive light whatsoever.”

Mr Kyron’s comments were supported by chief commis-

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“It has just been left to go to wrack and ruin,” Mr Bradford told a council meeting last week.

“There are weeds wherever

But Professor Dixon fired back at Mr Kyron, telling the POST his assistant had sent the council a photo of a neglected council verge opposite Point Resolution with the message: “Is this awful? Because it’s

“If he has issues he should pay me the courtesy of calling me,” Prof. Dixon said.

The UWA botanist, who was named WA’s Senior Australian of the Year this month, told the POST last week that

• Please turn to page 73

Ms Mason was a councillor for two years but attended her last full council meeting on Tuesday night.

Her position will not be offered to Ray Pedretti, the unsuccessful candidate at the October election, because Ms Mason was not a can-

“She is leaving Cottesloe due to her selling their family home to move to a property in another suburb with a larger backyard, as she has two very active young boys,” she said.

“Her passion for all things Cottesloe is very evident, and she will certainly be missed.”

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A chain-link fence has blocked Rex Hubbard and Kylie Bennett’s garage since July.

Photo: Ben Dickinson • Please turn to page 73

Not ‘awful’ … Kingsley Dixon.

Owners have not been able to use this car for four months.

Floorballers

come to the front door

There’s nothing to get the blood pumping like a quick game of floorball before a Cambridge council meeting.

A large group of keen enthusiasts turned the forecourt of the administration building into an impromptu floorball court on Tuesday evening.

They were there to show their support for a proposal seeking to join forces with the local bowling club, for the benefit of both sports.

When the meeting started the youngsters came into the council chambers and sat, quiet as mice, and were treated to an especially dry example of council meeting procedure and administrative process.

The club’s issue was listed as being a confidential matter, but due to public interest, staff removed it from the agenda and will look at discussing it publicly at the December meeting.

Out of town?

Read the full edition online.

Tough gig on the schoolies frontline

Blasting away in Nedlands

Nedlands residents should feel free to “blast away”, Nedlands commissioner David Caddy says.

Smyth Road resident Piers Dudman fronted a meeting last week to plead for speed bumps in his street, but was unsure of the protocol.

“Do we need to give some

context for this, or do I just blast away at [council report] 18.1?” he asked after approaching the microphone.

“I can assure you the commissioners have read all of the information on the agenda, so just blast away, please,” Mr Caddy replied.

the daughters as Australia rst

The dads were glued to the cricket on the big screen in Sunsets bar on Saturday while the daughters did

“We are staying at The Lodge this year,” one dad grumbled. “It’s a bit

of a downgrade to last year when we were at Samphire.”

Mums were also doing it tough during leavers’ week at Dunsborough and surrounds.

It is a modern trend for mothers to spend the week reliving their past while their children celebrate the end of their school lives.

One abandoned City Beach dad left at home for the week was happy to share a report from the front line.

“Kate reports that every restaurant is booked out, the pubs are full and no one has any idea what their kids are up to,” he said.

Birds of a feather

Man-made creations and Mother Nature can live side by side, says Earthwise coordinator Jen Korab.

Using salvaged wood from Subiaco Oval, Jen and volunteers made new seating and fencing around the old church building site in Bagot Road it leases from the Uniting Church.

She decorated the fence with a few wooden and metal birds lying around and noticed something interesting happen.

“More and more actual birds started perching on it too,” she said.

“You can have this strange but beautiful mix of the real and the unreal.”

She thinks it has the potential to become like love locks, where people attach a padlock to a wellknown landmark or public structure.

Drop in and see Jen if you have a contribution that might fit in with this bird-brained idea.

The floorball’s in your court … Cambridge council was pumping on Tuesday evening.

Jen Korab admires Earthwise’s new fences that attract birds of all feathers. Photo: Paul McGovern

Develop your own land, Mr Carey

By JACK MADDERN

Planning experts have urged the state government to use its own land near train stations to fast-track housing development.

Rather than use private land within 800m of stations, as controversially proposed by Planning Minister John Carey, public land could overcome planning and economic barriers to development.

Curtin University expert

Courtney Babb said the lack of investment in station precincts, despite current zoning allowing

high-rise development, indicated that planning was not a significant impediment.

“The state government could better achieve housing goals by fast-tracking development on its own land in station precincts,” Dr Babb said.

“Several station precincts in the metropolitan area already permit high-rise development but haven’t attracted investment, suggesting planning isn’t the primary barrier in most cases.”

Smyth calming bumped off

A plea from a group of Nedlands residents to install speed bumps in Smyth Road has been summarily rejected by the City’s commissioners.

Fifteen people signed a petition in March asking for traffic-calming measures on a stretch of Smyth Road south of the Karella Street roundabout.

“Main Roads’ own information shows up to 3000 cars are speeding along Smyth Road every day,” resident Piers Dudman told commissioners at a council meeting earlier this month.

“This endangers kids crossing to the play park [and] elderly people crossing to the war cemetery.”

A report by council staff played down residents’ complaints, finding the 85th percentile speed of drivers – a standard metric for measuring road user behaviour – was 52.6kmh on the stretch south of Monash Avenue.

“[Speeds are] well within the expected traffic speed for a Local Distributor Road with a 50kmh speed limit and do not justify traffic calming measures,” staff reported.

Just three crashes requiring hospitalisation were recorded along the entire length of Smyth Road in the past five years, according to Main Roads.

The council staff report said traffic-calming measures were “designed to make a road less appealing for drivers” and would push traffic onto Kinninmont Avenue, Dalkeith Road and other surrounding streets.

At this month’s meeting, Mr Dudman said that assessment was “as incredible to read as it is wrong”.

“It’s not about reducing volume on traffic, it’s not about redirecting it to anywhere else,” he said. “It’s about slowing down non-peak traffic, when the road is clear and people speed up.”

Despite the plea, commissioners David Caddy, Bianca Sandri and Cath Hart voted unanimously and without discussion to reject

Dr Babb also questioned the government’s rationale for developing the 800m

“The selection rationale for these 10 stations is also unclear,” he said.

“Some already have substantial planning work completed.

Courtney Babb

“Effective planning requires understanding local conditions, not a onets-all approach.”

Mr Carey identified Swanbourne, Cottesloe and Mosman Park stations among 10

suburban precincts that could fast-track high-density housing.

And he indicated that other precincts on the Fremantle line would be considered in the future.

The announcement was met with fury from local councils, many of them with detailed precinct plans under way, and developers sceptical that highrise towers were economically feasible.

Curtin academic Peter

Newman said the government had no obligation to adhere to council policies and warned that “sprawl developers” had decisions.

“The state could have taken more control over the councils’ statutory controls at any time in the past 35 years but the power of the sprawl developers prevented [it] from being serious about redevelopment,” he said.

“Local governments have always had limited power as they simply can’t just say ‘no’.

“They can only say ‘yes, but …’.”

Tree protection has been a mechanism delegated to local governments and used by many western suburb councils to preserve their tree canopies.

Playlovers bring house down

By BEN DICKINSON

Playlovers president Alex McLennan says he is glad to see the back of Nedlands council after the theatre group’s longtime home was reduced to rubble this week.

“I just want to move on from the City of Nedlands,” Mr McLennan said.

“You’re in the area for over 60 years and that doesn’t mean anything.”

Playlovers had to call in a favour from a lawyer earlier this year after the council denied them access to the crumbling hall to retrieve a $140,000 retractable seating system, the community theatre group’s most valuable asset.

CEO Keri Shannon told the group the cost of shoring up the building’s partly-collapsed roof exceeded the value of the seating system, making its retrieval unviable.

“The lawyers proposed different scenarios, hoping that someone would see reason,” Mr McLennan said.

He said the council had offered Playlovers $5000 and then $7500 to walk away and had insisted the group sign a non-disclosure agreement.

The council ultimately relented, allowing a construction company to prop up a failing beam for five days while a Playlovers contractor disassembled the seating system.

Mr McLennan said the seating system was now in a storage unit awaiting sale to an interested buyer.

• Please turn to page 72

After years of fights and inaction, Hackett Hall is no more.

Late Christmas present

A delay in the Auditor-General’s final report has forced Subiaco to hold its annual electors meeting the week before Christmas.

The meeting was scheduled for December 2 but was postponed to December 18.

“[That’s] because the City is awaiting the Auditor Generals final report … [which] will be pre-

sented to council at the December 16 ordinary council meeting,” mayor David McMullen said.

“The intent is the AEM will follow two days later on December 18.” Electors meetings are the only opportunity for residents and ratepayers to formally raise motions they would like the council to consider.

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Speed bumps in Smyth Road are a no-go, says Nedlands council. Photo: Paul McGovern

Anita’s rope-a-dope to save coral

By JEN REWELL

Colourful strands of unravelled and frayed rope pulled from the ocean have been artfully repurposed to create an award-winning coral reef sculpture.

Anita Staaden conceived the artwork and has been working on it for six months with a team of volunteers who meet at the Community of Christ in Woodlands a few times a month.

The craft sessions are open to anyone and have become a community highlight for locals.

Anita said the craft afternoons were lots of fun but the underlying message of the artwork was very serious.

“Corals have existed for 485million years but this decade could be their last,” she said.

“There is still time to save corals but we need to reduce consumption and reduce CO² emissions now.”

A recent Curtin University survey at Ningaloo showed that an ocean heatwave killed more than 60% of corals at eight sites across 40km between March and October.

“Coral reefs are the most sensitive ecosystem and demonstrate what will happen to land bases ecosystems if we fail to act,” Anita said.

Every part of the artwork has been made from rubbish that has washed up on Perth shores or been collected by marine conservation organisations Sea Shepherd Australia and Tangaroa Blue Foundation.

Ropes that have spent months or years in the ocean are unrav-

elled and then woven, crocheted or sewn to create undersea corals and other animals.

“You don’t have to be particularly artsy,” Anita said.

“Men who are ex-fishermen are very good at untying knots, which is a big part of it.”

Some ropes lend themselves to branching staghorns, while others are best for bushy or soft corals.

A turtle called Binguing sits at the top of the recycled masterpiece.

“I’m a veterinarian so I had to make sure the turtle was accurate to life,” Anita said.

The turtle is stuffed with sea rubbish; plastic soy sauce vials, balloons, plastic bags and bottle caps.

Binguing has been previously flown to Melbourne for a dis-

play at cosmetics store Lush to raise money for Sea Shepherd Australia.

The Sea Shepherd crew is one of Anita’s rope suppliers, picking up flotsam and jetsam that has drifted from Asia to Australian.

The reef is part of a greater sculpture called Ghosted, a 6m x 2m net that transitions from the colourful reef, through bleached coral, to an illumi-

nated metropolis.

Abandoned fishing nets are commonly known as ghost nets and are found drifting in the ocean, often snaring unsuspecting fish or ocean mammals.

“The sculpture is a visual plea for climate action,” Anita said.

“We must reconnect, become mindful of the influences of our actions, and advocate for the environment while there is still time.”

Anita said she had applied to Sculptures by the Sea to display the piece but was rejected, she suspects because she has no formal art qualifications.

She has since been working on her “artist credentials” by entering local art shows, winning the perpetual trophy for best handicrafts exhibit at Canning Show as well as other prizes.

Anyone is welcome to join the project, which is held on the first and third Sunday of each month.

Anita Staaden with her award-winning creation made from ocean rubbish. Photo: Paul McGovern RIGHT: Stuffed … The turtle’s insides are filled with ocean plastics.

One arm and plenty of ticker

By JEN REWELL

While many surfskiers competing in WA Race Week accessorised with fancy sunglasses and hydration vests, triple amputee Jon White had a few additional necessities.

A custom prosthetic arm that attaches to the paddle, waterproof Ottobock 3R80 knees with aluminium shin tubes which he wraps in foam, and Blatchfords prosthetic feet.

“The feet are mostly foam and I grind them down to give me more

room to move the tiller,” Jon said.

Both of Jon’s legs were amputated above the knee, and his right arm above the elbow, when he stepped on a homemade bomb while commanding a patrol in Afghanistan with the British Royal Marines in 2010.

around” legs, which have microprocessors to emulate a natural gait.

Jon is in the middle of the

He had to learn to walk again, and lost his competitive spirit until he tried kayaking.

“Being out on the water is a great leveller, I can move at speed and compete,” he said.

His kayaking legs are quite different from his everyday “walk-

A gum equals six storeys

By LLOYD GORMAN

West Perth developer Cedar Woods claims it needs to build a tower double the zoning limit to allow it to save a gum tree on a former Subiaco council depot in Jolimont.

The developer wants to construct three buildings up to 12, nine and seven storeys on the 2 Upham Street site zoned for up to six floors.

Future building heights were capped at four storeys – with a maximum of six with a Local Development Plan in place – by Subiaco’s Local Planning Scheme 5.

The height limits were in place when the firm owned by Nathan Blackburne, brother of One Subiaco developer Paul Blackburne, bought the vacant 1ha site.

A $150million development application was advertised for public

comment this week.

It was lodged by Rowe Group on behalf of Cedar Woods subsidiary Tarkine Property.

Three buildings with 236 apartments, communal swimming pool, ground floor cafe and about 350 parking spots are proposed.

Cedar Woods acknowledged in its application the building heights exceeded the LPS5 and the Residential Design Codes but could be justified on a number of grounds.

“The additional building height enables the retention and expansion of existing vegetation on site, including a large gum tree which forms a key design component of the development,” the application said.

“The gum tree is a focal point for development, creating a unique and attractive main lobby entrance

• Please turn to page 73

field in the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week, which has flooded local beaches with surfski athletes competing for $300,000 in prizes.

“They just put me in with the other over 40s men, because there are no other paras doing it,” he said.

“I’m going quite well, this is the fastest I’ve been.”

He brought a friend to help him when he first came to Perth three years ago.

“Now the local community have taken me under their

wing, and they take me out on practice paddles,” he said.

“I’m super grateful to the people at City Beach Surf Life Saving Club and Sorrento.”

Jon finished his race on Tuesday and was met on the beach by mates who stabilised his boat and helped him out of the dumpy surf.

“You were like a rocket at the start, man,” said a friend who had shadowed him during the race.

Jon’s Garmin watch tracked his heart rate, which hit 200bpm at about the 3km mark.

“It was about that time I’d realised that I had gone a bit too hard at the start,” he said.

There are several races during the competition, most starting at Port Beach or City Beach and heading along the coast.

The finale of WA Race Week is a 27km paddle from Rottnest to Sorrento this Saturday. Jon has been on a seven week round-the-world trip, visiting friends, giving leadership talks and competing in paddling races in New York, Boston, Hong Kong, Sydney and Perth. He is working towards being able to launch and land the boat himself, but said getting into the kayak in tranquil conditions was still difficult.

Ready to race … Paddlers prepare for a Port Beach launch.

Jon White, a triple amputee, rides a wave into City Beach after paddling 12km from Port Beach.

Photo: Scotty Walton

Christmas magic in the City

There’s Christmas cheer for all ages in the City of Subiaco this festive season!

The Subiaco Twilight Trail is back to light up the night, with eight spectacular large-scale installations; including a big Santa, the iconic golden tree, and a giant hot air balloon, weaving a trail through the heart of Subiaco. Subiaco’s Christmas Cocktail trail is back by popular demand. From Friday 28 November, embark on a selfguided adventure through local bars and eateries for exclusive festive cocktails. Highlights on this year’s trail include the Merry Matcha at Refuge Small Bar and the Gingerbread Martini at the Subiaco Hotel.

The sunset@subi Christmas concert is back at Lake Jualbup from 6pm to 8pm on Sunday 21 December, where you can enjoy Christmas carols, popular Christmas

New playground open at Mueller Park

Subiaco’s newest playground – and very first flying fox – is now open! The playground at Mueller Park incorporates new play equipment and other facilities including new barbeques, a water fountain, and an upgraded shade sail.

The playground design was informed by community feedback. Read more at www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/news.

Planning team wins big

The City’s Planning team took home a whopping six awards at the Planning Institute of Australia (WA) on Friday 21 November, receiving the most accolades of any other organisation in attendance on the night.

The wins include Local Government Team of the Year, Improving Planning Processes, Performance and Innovation in Development, and Emerging Planner of the Year for Senior Strategic Planning Officer Emily Robertson.

Read more about the wins at www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/news.

Iconic sunset concerts back this summer

The sunset@subi concert series is back for its 38th season, kicking off with a special Christmas concert at Lake Jualbup on Sunday 21 December.

These concerts, which take place on select Sunday evenings during summer from 6pm to 8pm, are a great way to make the most of the warmer weather with family and friends.

View the full line-up of concerts, which include jazz, rhythm and blues, and Brit pop, at www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/concerts.

songs, and perhaps a visit from the big man in red himself.

Kids can post their letters to Santa at Subiaco Library from Monday 1 December (with replies arriving straight from the North Pole every Tuesday until 23 December), and there will also be a special Christmas Storytime with Santa and his elf in Rankin Gardens on Tuesday 9 December.

And finally, the Subi Night Market will be running all festive season long, on Saturday evenings from 5pm to 9pm in Market Square Park.

Visit www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/news for more information on all things festive in Subiaco this December.

Bulk green waste collection

A bulk green waste collection will take place on Monday 8 December. This is the final bulk green waste collection for the City before transitioning to a pre-booked service.

For this collection, please note that up to three cubic metres of loose green waste can be placed on verges 1-3 days prior to collection (but no later than 7am on the morning of collection). Read more at www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/waste.

Business applications moving online

Starting a business or running an event? You can now submit applications online!

The City has launched a new online system for a range of business permits and approvals – from outdoor dining and food stalls to event approvals and liquor certificates. Visit www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/online-services/my-account.

Celebrating all abilities

In celebration of International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), the City is hosting a series of inclusive, all-ability events.

Running from Monday 1 December to Saturday 6 December, events include Auslan Baby Rhymetime sessions, a Sensory Storytime with Sensorium Theatre, and a community workshop called ‘Understanding Deafblindness’.

Visit www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/events to book your spot and view all IDPwD events.

Have Your Say

New civic building and gardens

The City is eager to hear the community’s ideas and feedback on the community spaces and surrounding gardens featured in the concept design for the new civic building and gardens at 241 Rokeby Road, part of the historic Civic Precinct. Community spaces include a community hub, festival lawn, and flexible exhibition space. Fill out a short online survey at www.haveyoursay.subiaco.wa.gov.au/ civic-precinct, or visit www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/civic-precinct for a list of in-person engagement opportunities and to view the concept design.

Temporary partial closure of Wunderlich Road

The City is currently inviting submissions on the proposed temporary partial closure of Wunderlich Road, Subiaco, for a period of 12 to 18 months. The closure will extend from the current temporary closure. The closure is to facilitate safer and more efficient construction activities at the building site at 5 Wunderlich Road, Subiaco.

Please visit www.haveyoursay.subiaco. wa.gov.au/wunderlich for more information and to have your say. Submissions are open until 5pm Friday 19 December 2025.

Annual Electors’ Meeting –Thursday 18 December 2025

The City gives notice that the 2025 Annual Electors’ Meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday 2 December 2025 has been rescheduled to Thursday 18 December 2025.

The format of the meeting will include an introduction, discussion of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024-25, questions from the floor and other general business. Read more via www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/public-notices.

didn’t have a choice” …

Grom siblings surf wave of success

By JACK MADDERN

A Cottesloe brother-sister duo are among the best young surfers in the state and will attempt to win this year’s Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Wollongong over the next week.

Bronte and Jake Scott are part of the seven-member WA team who will also compete to join The Irukandjis, Australia’s national junior surf team, at the ISA World Junior Championships.

The siblings are no strangers to success in WA.

Bronte, 17, will compete at her fifth consecutive national competition while 16-year-old Jake’s air prowess has made him one of WA’s best emerging talents.

The Scott family surfing craze started young and included Jake’s twin brother Ben and their father John.

Ben narrowly missed out on selection in the WA team.

“We didn’t really have a choice,” Bronte said. “We were sort of born into it.

five and went on to compete in a few things.”

The duo viewed competitions and the sport as a hobby they had grown up loving.

“We’re both pretty competitive and we have so many friends around the competitions,” Jake said. “It’s just a really good atmosphere.”

All the siblings competed in three state qualifiers.

Perth waves require surfers to be resourceful and push harder to create momentum to catch them.

The Scotts believe this may give them the edge in a competition where local surfers are used to perfect breaks and do not need to work as hard for their waves.

“You’ve got to create your own sort of momentum, which can be really difficult if you’re not used to it,” Jake said.

“We’re good at grovelling small wave surfing at Trigg compared to some of the waves at Margaret River or over there.”

The Scotts are being spurred on by Cottesloe’s Magic Apple owner George Kailis, who has

across the country.

“Surfing shaped who I was growing up, so helping these kids chase their goals feels incredibly rewarding,” he said.

Mr Kailis remembers when he was a young surfer representing WA.

Part of his motivation for helping the next generation of surfers stems from his own experience and knowledge that costs can deter young surfers from the sport.

“Local businesses getting behind local community members is really important,” he said.

It would have cost the Scott family around $3500 to send the siblings to Wollongong without Mr Kailis’ help.

This will be the fifth year he has helped WA’s young surfers compete in national competitions.

The Scotts said some youngsters down south were home schooled and spent much of their time catching waves.

Bronte and Jake did not rule out turning pro one day, but said university studies were more likely than riding waves

CURTIN LEADS ON CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOUSING AND TAX REFORM

Research released this week reports that Perth is the most unaffordable Australian city to rent in, with an average renter spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Unfortunately, the least affordable parts of the least affordable city lie inCurtin.

When out doorknocking and in our community, housing affordability comes up constantly. Parents worry about how their adult children will become home owners without help, they worry about the lack of diverse housing options to rent and buy, and about tax incentives that make it harder to buy a home than an investment property.

There is a high level of engagement in the Curtin community when it comes to the serious issues of housing affordability and tax reform.

After a number of community events during the last Parliamentary term, I released my Housing Policy, which you can read using the QR code below.

Last week, I explored our community's views on tax and housing more deeply, using a new AI-driven digital tool called Remesh, to better understand 242 Curtin residents’ views on negative gearing and capital gains tax reform.

From this process, I found that there is broad appetite for resetting tax incentives around housing, to give younger generations a chance of owning their own home. Approximately 90 percent of participants, including many who own an investment property, supported reform in these areas.

This was also supported by Dr Ken Henry AC at an event on tax reform with 200 people at the Claremont Football Club a few weeks ago. Fifteen years on from the Henry Tax Review, no significant reform has been undertaken by consecutive governments to address the issues he identified then, and some are worse.

Our tax system is not fair for younger Australianswe have a structural deficit, growing health and aged care costs as the population gets older and tax incentives on housing are distorting the market.

Dr Henry provided a rich historical perspective and emphasised the need for change and the political difficulties when major parties are focused on the short term.

Ongoing engagement with experts alongside the Curtin community reinforces my determination to hold both sides of politics accountable on courageous tax reform, particularly in relation to housing.

“We

Having been introduced to surfing at five, Bronte Scott is about to compete in her fifth consecutive national championship.

Bronte and Jake Scott will be sponsored by former WA surfer George Kailis. Photo: Paul McGovern

Local doctors bring hope to Gaza

By EMMA BLADEN

Two Nedlands doctors recently left Perth for Gaza where they are treating patients in the bombed-out shell of a hospital, using medical supplies funded by Art for Aid proceeds.

Mairead Heaney, from Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine, said Farah Abdul-Aziz and Karim Ghanim would be in Gaza for a month under the banner of the Palestine Australia New Zealand Medical Association.

PDMAP members gave the pair medical supplies to use in Gaza.

“Farah And Karim are currently in Gaza working at Al-Shifa hospital which has been completely destroyed,” Dr Heaney said.

“However they have managed to build four new operating theatres behind the destroyed main building.

Flower district gets grant

By JEN REWELL

A $100,000 grant has been awarded for the Cambridge council to develop a road safety masterplan for Northwood Street, West Leederville.

Planned improvements would prioritise people and provide safer connections for walking, wheeling and cycling, council staff said.

“They will be working at hospitals in Gaza for the next month, performing surgery on patients who have been injured in war, but also patients with cancers who have received no treatment for the past two years due to the collapse of the medical system.”

juries, and bleeding disorders. They also took rehydration medicine for patients with diarrhoeal illnesses.

“We sent 300 stoma bags for patients with bowel injuries and bowel cancer,” Dr Heaney said.

“Because schools have been destroyed and children are mainly learning online, we sent 20 power-banks which can be safely charged at the hospital and then used by children at home to power computers for schoolwork.

“We also sent stress balls and distraction aids for children who will be having painful procedures like change of burn dressings as there is no access to sedation or medication for this.”

Dr Heaney said Doctors for Palestine bought a video laryngoscope for their colleagues to take to Gaza, to make it easier and safer to intubate children for surgery.

Dr Abdul-Aziz told Dr Heaney her journey to Gaza wasn’t easy.

The area is known as the “flower district” because there used to be several florist wholesalers in the area.

Mayor Gary Mack said collaboration with the Flower District Town Team, a group of local residents and business owners, would be central to the project.

“Working together ensures the masterplan reflects the aspirations of residents and businesses in West Leederville,”

The project will outline short, medium, and long-term upgrades for the street, and the intersections with Cambridge Street and Railway Parade.

November 2025

Commissioners’ Message

he said.

“Northwood Street is a key local centre, and this funding allows us to partner with the community to shape a safer and more accessible precinct.”

More than $800,000 has been allocated by the state government through the Streets Alive grants to slow traffic and make local streets more “people friendly”.

Community engagement for the Northwood Street masterplan will begin in early 2026.

Since being appointed in July, the Commissioners have focussed on restoring good governance, strengthening financial oversight, and rebuilding community confidence in the City of Nedlands. Our aim has been to provide a stable, robust foundation for the City in time for the special election on 28 March, 2026, when our appointments conclude and stewardship of the City returns to elected Councillors.

Commissioners have been working diligently for the City, holding twice-monthly Ordinary Council meetings, as well as several Special Council Meetings to deal with the significant backlog of matters in the short time available.

Commissioners have now held fourteen Council meetings in total since being appointed. We are pleased to see good momentum in dealing with stalled constituent issues, strengthening governance, financial oversight and progressing planning matters, while maintaining service delivery and community engagement.

We have been reviewing progress against the Office of the Auditor General’s Audit Issues Log to ensure the City’s financial systems are reliable, contemporary and transparent. Work continues to close out aged audit actions and embed internal controls that meet best-practice standards.

More recently, we have been made aware of the serious matter of some City staff being underpaid in 2020. We have elevated resolving this matter as a priority, as part of our pillar of restoring confidence in the City. We deeply appreciate the hardworking staff at the City and value their commitment to the Nedlands community and the support they have extended to us during our tenure.

While much of our focus has been on the City’s governance and finances, we were also pleased to have endorsed the Mt Claremont Master Plan, a 30-year framework to protect bushland corridors and guide future planning for transport, schools, and green spaces.

A sold-out auction of art donated by Australian artists was held at the Holmes a Court Gallery in West Perth on October 25.

Art for Aid raised more than $220,000 to fund medical and humanitarian aid, to be administered by charities on the ground in Gaza.

Dr Heaney said Art for Aidfunded supplies the doctors took to Gaza included baby formula and medicines for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, chronic pain caused by war in-

“It is tedious to get in and out (of Gaza) and can be dangerous,” she wrote. “We have a police escort through Israel in case of settler violence going through the West Bank.

“One colleague was imprisoned by Israel for 18 days without charge while trying to enter Gaza for a medical mission.

“There are multiple inspections and searches of our equipment on the way into Gaza at Israeli checkpoints, which changes a short journey into one that takes many hours.”

For more information about Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine email perthdoctorsmedicalaid@gmail.com.

The Tresillian Arts Centre marked its 45th anniversary with the 24th Annual Student and Tutor Exhibition, featuring more than 300 works by more than 100 artists. The exhibition was a reflection of the creativity in the community, as well as the enduring and very special role Tresillian has played for many decades.

Congratulations to local resident Dr Tracy Westerman AM, who was a finalist for the 2026 WA Australian of the Year, for her pioneering work in Indigenous mental health which has transformed outcomes for Aboriginal communities across Australia.

We were also pleased to represent the City at the local Remembrance Day event, and to acknowledge and celebrate Seniors Week, with 65 seniors at a very special high tea held earlier this month.

Your Commissioners remain committed to open engagement and we thank residents who have taken the time to contact us or participate in Council processes.

We welcome ongoing feedback and encourage the community to stay involved as we continue the work of strengthening the City’s governance, financial integrity and service delivery.

There is, however, still much to be done ahead of the caretaker period before the special election which will commence when nominations open on Thursday, 5 February, 2026.

Before then, we hope to see you at the Community Christmas Carols on Wednesday the 5th of December from 6pm until 8pm at the David Cruickshank Reserve in Dalkeith.

As always, we encourage you to engage with us either by attending Council meetings, going to events or by contacting us at commissioners@nedlands.wa.gov.au.

— Commissioners David Caddy, Bianca Sandri & Cath Hart nedlands.wa.gov.au

Dr Farah Abdul-Aziz and Dr Karim Ghanim, both of Nedlands, at Al-Shifa hospital where they were operating on patients this week.

Shark victim remembered 100 years on

By BRET CHRISTIAN

with the stuffed killer.

Exactly 100 years after a tiger shark attacked and killed Simon Ettelson at Cottesloe Beach, the first of his relatives to visit the scene waded into the surf to commemorate an event that shocked the family.

Jonathan Adolph and his wife Sarah travelled from the United States to finally get the feel of the place where heroic locals fought to save the life of Jonathan’s great-great-uncle.

Simon was attacked multiple times as he swam at the place where the beach pylon now stands, and a century later at the same time, precisely 3.15pm, family members joined to honour his memory.

Local lifesavers and curious onlookers watched, intrigued by the mouldy shark’s head Jonathan was holding (Shark victim honoured, POST October 4).

It was the head of the tiger shark that killed Simon far from his US home.

No relatives, just members of Perth’s Jewish community, gathered 100 years ago at Simon’s Karrakatta graveside to farewell him in 1925. He was aged 55.

“It’s a great gift, to take a name that meant nothing to me but now is much more meaningful,”

Jonathan Adolph told Freo Streetwise editor Carmelo Amalfi

The shark was caught by the local policeman and put on display at the surf club to raise money.

It was later displayed at the WA Museum, which eventually decided to send it to landfill until it was rescued by Swanbourne shipwreck hunter and shark enthusiast Hugh Edwards.

Before Mr Edwards died last year, aged 90, he promised the head to Mr Adolph, who this week declined to take it home to the US.

“It’s such a piece of Australian history it should not go anywhere else,” he said.

“We did take out a couple of teeth as souvenirs.”

The head has been returned to the safekeeping of a Bunbury family.

The adventurous Simon Ettelson was a world traveller, joining the gold rush to Victoria and then the Coolgardie goldfields.

He worked in Kalgoorlie before moving to Perth where he lived in the Metropole Hotel and worked as a bookmaker’s clerk.

He had kept in touch with his family in Massachusetts, who are still able to follow his adventures from the letters home they have retained.

The fatal shark attack changed the way local people saw the beach and led to the start of construction of a shark net.

The Cottesloe beach pylon is the only remnant of that ill-fated project.

Eight to two in Jolimont

A block of land in Jolimont once slated for a six-storey block of eight units is now earmarked for a pair of twostorey townhouses.

Plans by developer Welink for the two grouped dwellings at 66 Jersey Street were published on the Subiaco council website this week. Public submissions close on December 9. The estimated cost of the project was redacted in the documents but is understood to be close to $1.3million..

Property records show the vacant 473sq.m block sold for $1.15million in July after previously changing hands for

$980,000 in 2013.

ASIC records show the property is owned by Quach An Pty Ltd, which has two directors Thi Hong Hai Nguyen and Minh Tuan Nguyen with an address in Roberts Road, Subiaco.

The company is also registered at an address in Bay Street, Brighton, Victoria. Norcam Investments lodged plans for a $3.6million apartment block, with a ground-floor cafe, in 2020.

The project was approved by the Development Assessment Panel but never got out of the ground.

BRINGING EUROPEAN DESIGN CLOSER TO HOME IN OUR 25 TH YEAR

Jonathan Adolph swam at this spot at Cottesloe Beach exactly 100 years after his great-great-uncle was killed there. RIGHT: Shark expert Hugh Edwards

High-rise plans will backfire

The Government’s proposal to encourage high-density high-rise development within vast areas of single-residential housing in the western suburbs (End of the backyard, POST, November 22), is bound to fail.

High-density zoning will increase land values to such an extent that it will discourage redevelopment.

And does Planning Minister John Carey really believe that the company directors of Peppermint Grove will forsake their BMWs and Mercs to catch the train to work?

High density in the western suburbs will do nothing to ease the housing shortage and will only draw tradies away from areas of greatest need.

Max Hipkins Minora Road, Dalkeith

Circling for the kill … Planning Minister John Carey’s areas of interest in the western suburbs.

Sink the railway

The Carey rail precinct plan will have up to a third of Cottesloe declared open to highrise at the stroke of his pen.

Some of the most attractive streets of Swanbourne, Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park will also disappear. What a godsend for Mr Carey that he can point to the state Member for Cottesloe as having advocated this plan when she was

head of the Property Council. Traffic congestion is already a problem, yet this government avoids undergrounding the railway with its traffic crossings. That alone would free up huge space for moderate highrise above, while leaving tree cover that would otherwise be bulldozed.

Chris Spaven Margaret Street, Cottesloe

Ten circles of wonder are not the answer

Perth has a housing crisis. But so do Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane. It looks like a national problem. Maybe that’s because the cause is national – the high levels of sustained immigration that have overwhelmed the housing market. If we reduced the level of migration by 300,000 a year for two or three years, we would reduce the future demand for housing by 200,000 to 300,000 dwellings, giving the building industry a chance to catch up across Australia.

In addition, the WA Government could help by reducing or delaying discretionary government capital works programs. Governments should spend when building costs are low, not when they are high, and government spending drives costs up further. The private sector loves working for the government. Just look at how much every government project blows out, with this going into the builders’ pockets.

Planning Minister John

Stepping beyond ‘sneer-pressure’

We live a stone’s throw from Swanbourne station and our concern about proposed highdensity development (End of the backyard, POST, November 22) extends to all such areas.

The loss of a much-loved plant nursery, and of established canopy offering feed for Carnaby’s cockatoos, are just two features in the firing line, threatening a well-maintained “village” atmosphere for residents, joggers, dog-walkers, and people just enjoying a beautiful suburb. Who will be able to afford these unsympathetic high-rise units, anyway? Where will all the extra traffic go? Maybe occupants will be restricted to one car bay?

The arrogance of this government is breathtaking. We are used to sneer-pressure, but we are mortgage-payers, ratepayers, taxpayers along with everyone else and have a right to a voice at council level.

• More letters pages 18, 26, 32

Come on, Minister Carey, show us your plans, if you dare. One bonus out of all this is the publicity given by the POST. Many thanks.

Caroline Nixon Parry Street, Claremont

Carey’s Ten Circles of Wonder are not the solution.

There is already lots of land with lots of zoning for Perth to reach its 3.5million population goal by 2050. Zoning is not the issue. Economics is the issue. It always is economics.

We don’t need more $5million penthouses overlooking the river; we need lots of housing around $500,000 per dwelling.

Industry experts quote the need to sell high-rise apartments at $13,000 per square metre (ignoring any land costs). That means apartments will have to be around 40sq.m. Not much room for a toilet!

So our minister’s Ten Circles of Wonder may be a good idea for the media, but it’s not going to fix anything.

Plan better to fight urban sprawl

We need to stop urban sprawl, which is environmental vandalism at its worst.

Laws that allow clear-felling of large areas in housing estates without consideration of fauna and flora smack of poor or lazy planning.

Part of the solution is infill and it is not unreasonable to rezone around train stations for high density, tapering off as you get to 300 or 400 metres (walking distance) away from the station hubs.

Councils would be able to work with these constraints if given clear and strict planning rules. Current planning guidelines

are wishy-washy and so open to interpretation that it is a nightmare for all involved. The dark art of planning can convince some that 2 is equal to 3.

Developers love these fluid guidelines because basically it means they have open slather to make even more money at the expense of the community. So let’s work together rather that just blaming local councils and residents. Both the state and local governments have a vested interest in limiting urban sprawl for the benefit of all in this wonderful state.

Ken Perry Dalkeith Road, Nedlands

Benedict Hodsdon Meriwa Street, Nedlands

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Ben freezes the beach cruise

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By BRET CHRISTIAN

Claremont photographer Ben Reynolds this week launched his latest book, Road Warriors of Cottesloe, combining his love for oldschool film photography and old cars.

The book’s pages blaze with a richly-coloured collection of cool and oddball cars that cruise the Cottesloe beach strip, and stories of their sometimes eccentric owners.

Ben haunted Marine Parade over 10 years, waiting for the right moments to shoot his pictures, then edited and culled about 10,000 film negatives to select the final cut.

A key to the success of his first book, on the cars of Fremantle, was the richness of the colours in film photography.

“It renders all those beautiful colours of the old cars so well,” he said.

“The colours come out a lot nicer on film than they do digital.”

Ben’s film camera is an old Contax with a medium-format. Instead of snapping hundreds of digital photos, he waits and waits for the right moment to capture his unsuspecting subjects.

“I’ve stood in that street for hundreds of hours,” he said.

“I’m out in the sun. It doesn’t feel like work, because I’ve got my film camera.

“I’ve worked as a photographer and videographer for years, but this is a bit more

fun and enjoyable.”

The other fun part is cruising about meeting people, most of whom generally have good reactions to being photographed, and who love talking about and showing off their cars.

Ben was a tennis coach for 20 years before falling ill with chronic fatigue syndrome.

He studied photography to fill in the time when recovering,

“It was sort of a bit of art therapy, in a way, walking around with a camera,” he said.

“I fell in love with landscape photography, and then I sort of moved into documentary type photography.

“When I started at TAFE, we used only black and white, developing our own film and printing our own photos, but we didn’t do any colour film.

“I remember the first time getting out and playing around with colour film, and I loved colour a lot more.”

Printing the photos in a coffee-table book gave them a life of their own.

“It’s a crime to keep all these photos on your computer,” he said.

Then there are the stories of the car owners, often

and surprising.

Some of the cars were photographed after they broke down, a hazard of owning old cars.

“There’s a lot of photos with people standing out front of the car with the bonnet up,” he said.

www.aportraitofcars.com

quirky

Danika ... “I call her ‘Cougar’. She’s older than me. I love that she is so noticeable and that helps me feel safe out on the roads. She has a few dents but it only adds to her character. My life has always been about just having fun and going along for the ride! So naturally, she fits right in.”

This Porsche caught Ben Reynolds’ eye and lens as he prowled Marine Parade.

Punch accused to stay in jail

Police tracked down and arrested Mr Pehlic on September 4.

Police Beat

A man accused of punching a woman in the face outside the Claremont Hotel on August 19 will stay in jail until a psychiatrist can assess his mental state.

Hamish Pehlic, 54, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday to face charges he assaulted people in Fremantle, Subiaco, and Claremont between February and August.

Witnesses told the POST in August that a man was verbally abusing a group of schoolboys in Bay View Terrace when a woman, who had just left the Claremont Hotel, told him to stop.

“Suddenly I hear all this commotion by the corner of the post office and ran over,” witness Justin Brent-White told the POST at the time.

“I saw a woman crying on the ground, blood all over her elbows, and her husband fending this guy off.”

Mr Brent-White and the woman’s husband chased the man to Claremont train station and took his photo, but transit guards allowed him to board a train and leave.

Defence lawyer David Rice asked magistrate Brionie Ayling in court on Monday to release Mr Pehlic on bail until a forensic psychiatrist assessed if he was mentally fit to stand trial.

Ms Ayling said she previously denied bail to Mr Pehlic when he represented himself at a hearing last month.

“My concern was the risk to the community,” she said.

A psychiatrist had already tried to assess Mr Pehlic in prison on October 6, but Mr Pehlic’s hearing diffi bined with the lack of a talk-to-text translator in prison, had made it impossible.

She said the chance of Mr Pehlic being assessed before a hearing next week was “slim to none”.

Mr Pehlic denied he needed a mental health assessment, telling Ms Ayling he had already been assessed by a psychiatrist at Royal Perth Hospital.

Hamish Pehlic was photographed at Claremont station after allegedly punching a woman.

“They’ve released me to the public previously,” he said.

“There’s nothing wrong with my mental health.”

Ms Ayling ordered the psychiatrist’s report and told Mr Pehlic he would remain behind bars until it was completed.

“What for?” Mr Pehlic replied. “Can I ask this

court for another judge?” He is due back in court on December 1.

• Have you been a victim of crime? Please send details to the POST at ben@postnewspapers.com.au or call Ben on 9381 3088. CRIME STOPPERS 1800 333 000 crimestopperswa.com.au

Vandal Pain pane pain

A 36-year-old man who “wilfully and unlawfully” smashed a shop window in Subiaco and damaged a Salvation Army building in Floreat was fined $750 for the

John Nicholas Pain appeared last week in Perth Magistrates Court where he was also fined $750 for possessing methamphetamine and $300 for having smoking

Magistrate Joe Randazzo offered him the opportunity to speak with a lawyer,

A police prosecutor told the court Pain was outside the Salvation Army Trust building at 121 Brockdale Ave, Floreat at 5.23pm on

“[He] used the sole of a black high heel shoe to graffiti on walls of the church with obscene language such as ‘You’re all c---s,” the prosecutor said.

“The accused has used a shopping trolley to charge at the property’s utility box, causing damage to about $150.”

Police searched him at the scene and discovered a quantity of methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe.

On the same day, Pain was in Subiaco where, the prosecutor said, he parked his shopping trolley under the window of the Gadget Masters shop at 162 Rokeby Road.

“[He] approached the locked door to the shop checking to see if the shop

was open then … leaned into the entrance way of the shop for approximately five minutes,” the prosecutor said.

“The accused grabbed the trolley and forcefully pushed it into the shop front, smashing a … window causing approximate damage of $500.”

Mr Randazzo said Pain had a criminal record but had pleaded guilty which reduced the penalty.

“I have a real strong sense that life is really tough for you and I will take into account that you have been in custody since your arrest,” he said.

He also factored in the Pain’s “limited means to pay fines” and said he would keep them at “the lower end of the scale”.

This man could help police find a stolen ebike.

Bike theft roll

A $4800 ebike was stolen from outside Hamptons in City Beach on November 9.

Wembley police say a bald man with a large build wearing a dark T-shirt and shorts got on the black Merida eSpresso 400 sometime between 7.42 and 8.25am on the Sunday morning and rode away towards Challenger Parade.

Drug fine for naked man

A man arrested near Bob Hawke College last week pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited drug but not guilty to committing an indecent act in public.

Students were ordered off Subiaco Oval last Wednesday when an allegedly naked man caused a disturbance near the northern pavilion (Naked man at school oval, POST, November 22).

Police arrested the man at the scene and charged him with an indecent act in public and possession of a prohibited drug.

Richard Takirua Nathan, 51, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court the next

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day where he admitted to having methylamphetamine and was fined $200. Nathan denied the charge of committing an indecent act in public and was granted bail with conditions to appear before the court for a trial on March 6, 2026.

Parents of students were contacted by the school on the day of the incident.

“Classes were moved from the oval and staff implemented our procedures to ensure the safety of all our students and staff,” principal John Burke said in a text message to parents.

“Senior staff responded quickly. Police attended and removed the individual.”

With Ben Dickinson

FINAL WEEKEND, 11AM – 3PM, 29/30 NOVEMBER

OMG, civic centre plan

is OTT

The proposed Subiaco council administration rebuild is total overkill.

It is not necessary to provide a hall with a fully equipped kitchen, auditorium, exhibition space and cafe as well as extensive concrete paving.

The cost proposed is $64million, but it could be $75million. This will be a disaster for our income producing assets and reserves. It will affect our services and rates.

And it will take five years to build. Development such as this needs a full business case prepared, but that is missing.

Claremont shopping misses mark

Olive branch to pub neighbour

Irish Bar Subiaco Pty Ltd will soon become the new owner of the premises at 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, which has been home to the Irish Club of WA since 1978.

We highlight two attempts – on September 16 2025 and November 18 2025 – to engage constructively with the neighbouring landowner Dr George O’Neil, (Pub next to alcohol addiction treatment centre, Letters, November 15) and have regrettably received no response to date. We remain willing to discuss any legitimate concerns in good faith.

We are blessed already with many venues in Subiaco – two theatres, open-air theatres, community centres, Lords and city library, as well as private venues.

I have visited many council premises, and never seen anything like this.

The proposed building is too high and bulky for this parkland setting and should be reduced to what we need to serve the community.

Paul Clements Barker Road, Subiaco

• More letters pages 26, 32

Email letters to: letters@postnewspapers.com.au Have your say in the

Claremont’s town centre attracts people from all over the western suburbs and other areas. It is now an important transport hub.

But does it serve the people with a wide range of shopping experiences? Probably not.

You can see people crowding and frequenting the stores where prices are generally more affordable – the higher-end fashion stores not so much.

What is really missing is a department store where you can buy for all the family.

At this time of the year children often want a white T-shirt for art class or to write all over to  farewell their friends.

Don’t try Claremont for this and other items such as undies and socks to keep within a family  budget. Oh, sometimes they have Bonds on special

in Coles.

But mostly you just have to travel elsewhere, as has been the case for decades.

The renovated food court area lacks a community feel and the food on offer is limited. The outside piazza area facing St Quentin Avenue is hot in summer and often windy. It has never worked.

The whole Claremont Quarter lacks entry points but I guess the idea is to encourage people to walk through. So we can stare at the displays and dream?

Workers are now demolishing the inside of a group of shops on St Quentin Avenue. They told me the ground floor will have a Chemist Warehouse and upstairs will have another doctor’s surgery.

Rebecca Coghlan Bulimba Road, Nedlands

Our intention is to honour and continue the longstanding cultural and community role that the Irish Club has played in Subiaco, by maintaining a venue where the Irish community and broader public can gather, celebrate heritage and participate in cultural activity.

In keeping with this longstanding legacy and following consultation with the City of Subiaco, we have lodged a Development Application seeking a change in use classification from Club to Tavern Restricted, which will allow operations to remain materially consistent

with past use while meeting more stringent contemporary regulatory requirements. We believe this will positively contribute to the aims of the City’s Local Planning Scheme No. 5, particularly by supporting economic activation at the eastern end of the Town Centre, an area that has experienced notable decline since the departure of the AFL from Subiaco Oval. Also of relevance is the Statement of Significance authored by the City when referring to this site and its significance: “Historically and socially significant for its role in the development of Subiaco as the Subiaco Club from c1907 and subsequently the Irish Club from the 1970s. Socially significant to the Irish community of Perth.” We respectfully request that the City of Subiaco and its residents assess the Development Application on its merits, by reference to the factual and historical matters outlined above, and allow the premises to continue operating in a manner consistent with its established use over more than a century.

Kapinkoff Irish Bar Subiaco Pty Ltd

nedlands.wa.gov.au

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Annual Electors’ Meeting – Time Change Wednesday, 10 December 2025 at 5pm

In accordance with Section 5.29 of the Local Government Act 1995, notice is hereby given that the Annual Electors’ Meeting is to be held at 5pm on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 in the Council Chamber at 71 Stirling Highway, Nedlands for the purpose of receiving the Annual and Financial Reports 2023/24 and General Business.

The agenda will be available from 4 December 2025 via the City’s website.

The 2023/24 Annual Report is now available for viewing on the City’s website, at the Administration building and hard copies will be available at the meeting.

Any questions you wish to ask at the meeting are to be submitted in writing to the to please register their attendance by email council@nedlands.wa.gov.au

This meeting will also be livestreamed via the City’s website.

ARTHUR KYRON

ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The City of Nedlands is seeking comment on draft Amended Local Planning Policy 7.3 –Consultation of Planning Proposals. This amendment seeks to streamline the City’s consultation processes while also increasing transparency and ensuring consultation is procedurally robust

Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. The Policy will be open for public comment until 5pm 23 January 2026. For more details, and to comment, please visit yourvoice.nedlands.wa.gov.au. Copies of the policy can also be viewed at the City’s Administration Building located at 71 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009.

Local Planning Policy 2.2: Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation

Council, at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 19 November 2025, adopted Local Planning Policy 2.2: Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation. The Policy is available as part of the City’s Local Planning Policies accessed via the City’s website. Copies can also be viewed at the City’s Administration Building located at 71 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009.

An aerial concept view of the proposed new Subiaco City civic centre and gardens

Kosta

Cross purposes … Fresh Start, left, treats alcoholics; the Irish Club, right, is set to become a pub.

Library books 60 year revival

By JEN REWELL

Cambridge Library is enjoying a renaissance in its 60th year.

Mayor Gary Mack said one of the reasons people had started coming back to libraries was to feel connected to their community.

“These days, because so much is online, we don’t have that much interaction with others,” he said.

“A visit to the library is full of light, incidental relationships –just a nod and a hello – and that makes people feel connected.

“Plus, in the library they get free wifi and a photocopier as well.”

The idea that anyone who talked would be “shooshed” was a thing of the past in a modern community library.

The desks were busy last week with teenagers studying for exams and chatting to each other.

In another section, a mother read a picture book to a very young baby, while a grandma did puzzles with her charge.

The library recently had WA author Craig Silvey as a guest speaker at an after-hours event which had been a “wonderful” night.

Mr Mack said the library was a neutral safe space where people could “connect and collaborate”.

He often booked one of the interview rooms when meeting vulnerable people through his

work as a lawyer in the family court, he said.

The recent approval of a precinct structure plan which would boost the local population in the future meant that the Cambridge Library would need to be expanded at some stage.

“That’s at the forefront of my mind,” Mr Mack said.

The original library opened

in 1965, built and furnished for $100,000, and was soon one of the busiest libraries in WA.

The new $6million library opened in 2002.

Cambridge Library holds more than 42,000 physical items, more than 20,000 e-resources and has more than 11,000 active members.

More than 90% of the library’s newly purchased items are out

‘ ’ Full of light incidental relationships

on loan within weeks, and the desks and community rooms are in hot demand.

Many new items are borrowed as “lightning loans”, where items can only be taken out for seven days, before being returned.

The library has amassed a large historic photo collection which captures the beginnings and growth of the suburbs.

It has been bequeathed items of historical significance from prominent locals, including ballet legend Diane Waldron, who died this year.

A study recently released by two national library associations showed that physical visits to libraries had increased by 10%, with people using them for attending programs, using wifi, using computers and meeting rooms, or borrowing items.

Case studies showed the use of libraries was evolving across Australia, as people sought knowledge, comfort, connection or solitude.

Figures show that the number of times Australians borrowed items was rising every year, and there was an increase in learning programs Libraries offered a record 409,000 programs attracting over 7million attendees, with literacy and lifelong learning programs being most popular. However, funding (per capita) was decreasing.

Cambridge Library when it opened as Floreat Park Library in 1965.

Mayor Gary Mack and community program librarian Melissa Payne, who has been at Cambridge Library for

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Art pops up around the Corner

By SARAH McNEILL

The bright pink Corner Gallery was a Subiaco arts and music institution for almost a decade.

Photographer Alex Miller and his filmmaker mate Jamie Fazackerley had taken on a onemonth lease of an empty and decrepit building in Hay Street, and over nine years turned it into a popular venue for gigs, exhibitions, workshops and events.

The Corner Gallery has now re-emerged as a pop-up space next door to the Regal Theatre on Hay Street, alongside another gallery, artist Shania Miler’s Studio of Grey.

The side-by-side galleries have

taken over an old kebab shop and Mexican chain shop.

Mr Miller recalled the first event they held at the old Corner Gallery when the building owner gave them permission to hold a one-night-only exhibition and party.

“I was a naive 21-year-old and we didn’t really know what we were doing,” he admitted. “We ended up with about 600 people.

“It was mayhem, but so much fun that the owner offered us another month in the building.”

Bridge rat-runners pester locals, says Brewer

By BRET CHRISTIAN

Not enough is being done to stop drivers rat-running through the back streets of North Fremantle after the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closes, according to local MLA Sandra Brewer.

The Liberal member told state parliament this week that key gaps remain in the suite of measures announced to ease disruption.

Traffic snarls are happening already with two of the lanes on the old bridge closed during construction of the new bridge.

The bridge will be closed to all traffic for a year from next February.

Ms Brewer said barriers to

public transport should be removed.

Drivers were already ratrunning through Thompson, Harvest and Alfred roads, and through Mosman Park.

“The success of the government’s plan to close the bridge is dependent on the ability to encourage people to change their mode of transport from taking the car to choosing to bus, train, walk or ride,” she said.

Clearly marked alternative routes needed to be in place, directing vehicles away from residential streets, she said.

The cycleway ended abruptly and dangerously at Tydeman Road.

Transport Minister Rita

over 16 months to plan traffi movements.

More freight was being put on rail, and path improvements were being made in Tydeman

“We are also putting in dedicated school services for private schools like Iona Presentation College, Presbyterian Ladies College and St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls,” she said.

The month turned into years. But in January 2022, Mr Miller, who had bought out Mr Fazackerley two years earlier, was forced to cancel several events because of COVID restrictions and then given just days to vacate the building when the owners decided to redevelop the site.

In partnership with SpaceMkrt, which has been turning empty spaces into creative hubs, Mr Miller has turned what was once Mad Mex at 484 Hay Street, into an exhibition and event space along with a weekly life drawing class.

Mr Miller said no experience was required for the Wednesday drawing classes and a range of charcoals and pencils was supplied.

“After nine years of events and exhibitions in our old venue, it felt like I was just getting started – so it’s been amazing to continue The Corner Gallery spirit,” he said.

Next door at the old Tasty Kebabs shop, Ms Miler has set up a gallery space for watercolour and mixed-media artworks, community workshops, including paint-and-sip sessions and festive crafts for kids.

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Old Fremantle Traffic Bridge will close next year.

Alex Miller has re-opened Corner Gallery as pop-up space next to the Regal Theatre.

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Swanning about in Mabel

Talbot Park

As a local resident I have been watching a pair of black swans on Mabel Talbot Park for some time and then one morning there they were … very proud parents watching over their newly hatched brood of cygnets.

Originally there were six, now down to five.

I photographed them this week being taught to forage in the weeds.

Carl Freedman Bishop Street, Jolimont

Make spaces for our kids

Much infill planning appears to focus on high-rise buildings and population density.

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.

There seems to be a lack of recognition of the probable need for increased public open space for outdoor activities (particularly for kids) to offset the reduction or loss of backyards. I think a more holistic approach is required.

Charter Mathison Jubaea Gardens, Mt Claremont Email letters to: letters@postnewspapers.com.au

Have your say in the

Literally, stop littering

I am writing to discuss a problem that is facing our wonderful environment and all living things in our community.

Throughout Western Australia you will find endless litter and revolting rubbish throughout delicate parks, bush reserves, beaches, lakes and rivers.

It is killing native wildlife and beautiful marine life right now.

If we keep this up, soon we won’t have any wildlife left. Careless people and horrible, toxic factories are polluting our precious animals and their

Neds needs tight scrutiny

The 2025/26 budget for the City of Nedlands – approved early in September – is not ageing well. Financial challenges continue to mount, even with the steady leadership provided by the Government-appointed commissioners.

Since the budget was approved, the City’s substantive CEO has been on leave while an external acting CEO has been appointed to maintain operations. A former CEO launched a Supreme Court defamation claim.

The commissioners have acknowledged that some City staff were underpaid in 2020. Costs associated with extra audit work by the Office of the Auditor General will result in a budget shortfall of $194,000 in 2025/26. The budget did not include provisions to pay the electoral commission $110,000

habitats for farming and urban areas.

We have to stop polluting our beautiful Earth, and we need to cherish it while we can. So, do YOU want a better Earth?

Thank you for your time.

Darcy Hinton Year 6, Scotch College

• An English teacher at Scotch forwarded several letters written by his Year 6 students highlighting issues affecting our local environment. This is one of them, and we thank the other students for their contributions. – Editor

(plus GST) to hold elections in March next year.

Expenditures associated with these events may need to be factored into the mid-year budget review.

The magnitude of potential adjustments is not clear, because some items have – appropriately – been discussed confidentially. However, what is clear is that strong professional oversight must continue after the March elections. With experience in public finance, and the capacity to serve full-time as mayor, that is what I am offering the community.

I encourage community-minded residents to put themselves forward for council and help restore confidence, stability, and integrity to local government. Leonie Browner Tyrell Street, Nedlands candidate for Mayor of Nedlands

Minister sidestepping concerns

Police Minister Reece Whitby was quoted (Bridge closure sparks call for local cops, POST, November 15) as accusing Cottesloe MP Sandra Brewer of “unnecessarily stoking community fear and anxiety” when she called for increased police presence in North Fremantle during the closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.

As a North Fremantle resident I can say the closure is a constant topic of discussion and I can assure the minister that expeditious access to police and emergency services is an ongoing issue.

Stirling Highway from North Fremantle to East Fremantle

and Fremantle is often gridlocked during peak hours and our suburb is now also used for “rat runs”, with traffic regularly speeding through the side streets to jump the queues.

All this even before the traffic bridge has been closed.

I met Ms Brewer recently when she attended a local community event where I and others had the opportunity to talk to her about our concerns. I would suggest that Mr Whitby, his advisers and Labor colleagues consult with the community in the same manner.

Lindsay Lovering Rule Street, North Fremantle

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Antique, Art & Jewellery Christmas Online Auction

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A very good selection of certifled, private and estate jewellery to suit all budgets and taste, this is the perfect Christmas selection includes selection of Pink Argyle Diamond jewellery, Trilogy Princess cut diamond ring, gold and diamond bracelets, Australian sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Diamond jewellery. Necklaces, bracelets, gold, earrings and plenty of rings with a huge range of styles. Quality loose gemstones, vintage and designer jewellery, watches over 400 lots.

The walls are fllled with art from known artists from all over the world. Collectables throughout including the flnal collection of quality antique tiles from Lloyd Leist estate. Start of a huge bar and whisky collection, Royal Albert, Oriental, Bronzes, Pop Head Starwars, Dinky toys, clocks.

Good range of antique and décor furniture throughout the rooms, tables, cabinets, occ. Furniture, chairs and good gilt console and mirror.

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.

New regional cities key to resolving housing crisis

Nedlands MLA Jonathan Huston (Liberal) weighs in on the state Government’s latest assault on community opinion and amenity in the western suburbs

The Cook government’s “fasttrack” plan for high-density housing around train station precincts (End of the backyard, POST, November 22) is more than a planning reform; it is a direct intrusion into the democratic rights of local councils and the communities they represent.

Residents across Subiaco, Shenton Park and Daglish are likely rightly angered that the Government is once again choosing to override local planning authority rather than work with elected local councils. Will these associated railway stations be next on the list?

Our councils are elected to safeguard local character, protect community identity, and make sensible decisions about density and built form.

They are the closest level of government to the people – they know the streets, the traffic patterns, the heritage and the lived experience of the community.

Removing the community’s say over heights, scale and density in key precincts is not “streamlining”; it is stripping away the democratic voice of the very people who live here. Moreover, impacted councils were diligently developing their own Local Planning Schemes that met their infill targets, so

The Government argues that population growth leaves no alternative but to impose highrise across established suburbs. That is simply wrong.

Growth is coming (that much is obvious) but forcing highrise into the western suburbs and other places is a lazy and expensive solution that pushes infrastructure to breaking point. If the Government were serious about long-term planning, it would be opening the door to new regional cities, particularly along the southern corridor through to Bunbury.

That is where WA has room to grow sustainably, with proper transport links and genuine economic opportunity, not by bulldozing the character of communities that have taken generations to build. To this end, my position is unchanged from when the POST first interviewed

me during the 2024-25 election campaign.

Residents of the western suburbs are being treated as planning commodities, as if our streets and neighbourhoods are blank spaces on a map waiting for density to be dumped on them. That is not planning; it is imposition.

People move to Subiaco, Nedlands and Shenton Park because they value liveability, greenery, heritage and community scale. Those qualities matter, and they should not be swept aside to meet state targets set in offices far from the suburbs affected.

We do not live in Singapore, land is plentiful in and outside Perth. Moreover, the costs of building high-rise is such that, often, construction costs exceed market value.

Population growth is the natural march of civilisation, and urban development will continue. Look that reality in the eye and plan for satellite cities and townships, and if outer city farmland is procured to enable this development, so be it.

My message is simple: Planning decisions that shape the character of our neighbourhoods must remain in local hands.

The Government should stop overriding council powers, restore proper authority to local governments, and begin respecting the communities it claims to serve. Western suburbs residents are prepared to play their part in WA’s future, but not at the cost of losing their voice or their neighbourhood’s identity.

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/

sted

Public housing in Singapore … Land is plentiful in and outside Perth, so this kind of development is not needed here, says Jonathan Huston.

Jonathan Huston MLA

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Tyro tycoons turn to mud

By JACK MADDERN

Tech start-ups and business gurus are getting younger like the pre-primary class at Moerlina Primary School in Claremont.

The small class of five and sixyear-olds overcame their lack of business experience to pull off a successful market to raise funds for their school.

The fruit of their hard work was delivered last week.

Felix, Yasmin, Mana and Bredgatte noticed that a lack of available water was causing an issue for their mud potion-making needs in the school’s garden.

Rather than despairing, the quartet hatched a plan to acquire a water tank.

This operation required $100 they did not have, so they decided to run a pop-up shop market.

Guided by pre-primary teacher Machteld Irons, they spent the next few months fleshing out their market idea, acquiring stock and researching how the industry ticked.

“We set up a pretend market in the classroom to practise buying

Burns rejects Subi gift

By LLOYD GORMAN

The rejection of a gift from a former Subiaco CEO to a current councillor has revealed bad blood between the pair dating back more than a decade.

Mark Burns rejected Ian Hill’s gift of a historic photograph of Rokeby Road, and urged council staff to destroy or return it.

“A past CEO has left me a gift and I’m not accepting it,” Mr Burns told a council agenda briefing forum.

“I don’t want to be trapped into a gift deal.

“It was left here without my request.

“I don’t care what council does with it, whether it’s sent back or disposed of or destroyed … the gift is not accepted.”

Mr Burns told the POST the gift in question was a framed night-time photograph of Rokeby Road from about 2014.

An attached note from Mr Hill indicated he had donated the photograph after rearranging artworks at his house.

“I’m thinking you might like this piece given that the Rokeby Road ‘brighten up’ project was one of your many ideas back then … 2015, hard to believe,” Mr Hill said.

“Or maybe you’ll just find a home for it somewhere.

“Great to see you are still continuing work 10 years on. Very best wishes, Ian Hill.” Mr Hill was less cordial about Mr Burns a decade ago, Caretaker CEO at the council in 2014-15, he used his last day in the job to lodge four complaints against Mr Burns to the Local Government Standards Panel.

They included allegations Mr Burns called Wilson Parking “corporate psychopaths” and “like vultures on a barbed wire fence”.

Mr Burns appealed the complaints to the State Administrative Tribunal and attempted to subpoena Mr Hills, who left the country after his time at Subiaco.

Teen virtuoso takes a bow

and selling,” Ms Irons said.

“We learned about pricing, money, and handling donations.

“Most of our maths and literacy sessions were dedicated to planning and preparing for this event.”

They even went on an excursion to the Boat Shed Markets and learnt first-hand how to haggle.

Their idea was to sell unused toys and freshly made cupcakes at the front of the school.

“You must appreciate how hard it is for kids only five-yearsold being able to sell all those cupcakes without eating any of them,” Ms Iron said.

Their market was so successful that they now faced a new problem of what to do with all the money they raised, $392.

Acting principal Wendy Gorman has been in education for nearly 50 years but has never seen such a resourceful group of five-year-olds.

The children vetted the market, explored how to approach the project and even delved into the environmental impact of their project.

Modern day Mozart … Caitlynn Cheng will make her solo violin debut on Sunday.

By JACK MADDERN

Caitlynn Cheng has had a violin in her hands since she was two.

That precocious effort paid off this year when, aged 14, she became one of the youngest musicians to play in the Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2026 season.

Caitlynn first discovered her affinity with the instrument after going to concerts with her mum in Singapore while she was a toddler.

“I always pointed to the violins they were playing, and so my mum bought me a toy one to practise with,” she said.

“It was really hard to find a teacher because they didn’t want to teach a two-year-old, and I don’t think I sounded very good to begin with.”

But perseverance paid off, and when the family moved to WA, she came under the guidance of violinist Riley Skevington, whose guidance took her skills to the next level.

Combining the support of her teachers, her mum, and her new school PLC, Caitlynn has achieved considerable success in the Young Symphonists Program.

“I went into the program this year thinking I would get to go to the national music camp, but I was surprised I got into the AYO,” she said.

“Ever since I was young, I dreamed about playing as a violinist and being accompanied by an orchestra.

“This opportunity is probably the biggest I’ve ever had.”

Competing against university-aged students across

the country for a spot in the orchestra has positioned her as one of WA’s youngest and most talented participants for the 2026 season.

Caitlynn will be playing alongside a mature group in concert halls that can fit crowds of 13,000.

“It’s quite a challenge and I am a little intimidated by the age difference, but the experience is going to push me to play the best I can,” she said.

“I do get stage fright, but I know how to overcome it from my experience with performing for so long, and it helps playing in an orchestra and not being up there by myself.”

Caitlynn will make her solo debut in the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra’s show Timeless at Churchlands Senior High School this Sunday.

Pre-primary students Felix and Bredgatte helped raise money for this Moerlina Primary School water tank. Photo: Paul McGovern

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Cott carols page 42

bazaar page 43

gifts page 45

CHRISTMAS

Carols at Cottesloe Civic Centre

Accomplished opera singer, opera director and cabaret performer Penny Shaw will host Town of Cottesloe’s Carols by Candlelight next Saturday.

The Salvation Army Perth Fortress Brass Band, female harmony chorus

A Cappella West and the North Cottesloe Primary School Vocal Ensemble will provide a wonderful evening of entertainment and Christmas songs on the main lawn at Cottesloe Civic Centre, Penny, who is MCing the event for the first time, said: “What a spectacular location. I’m excited to be there.”

Penny, who has performed as both a principal artist and chorus member with WA Opera and directed for Freeze Frame Opera, will also sing a couple of carols –one of them a satire on the Christmas song Let It Snow:

“I’ve rewritten it about my experiences of Christmas in 40-degree

’ ‘

heat,” Penny said. “Let it snow!”

Cottesloe Mayor Melissa Harkins said: “Cottesloe Carols is always a very special evening. We invite our community to join us for a joyful evening of carol singing, along with a visit from a very special guest.”

Take a rug or low chair, and a picnic. or try something tasty from the onsite food trucks, and celebrate the festive season as the sun sets.

Candles will not be for sale at the event, so take your own electric candles to light up the evening once the sun goes down.

■ Cottesloe Carols by Candlelight is on Saturday December 6. Gates open at 5.30pm, and carols begin at 6.45.

Help to light up Cambridge

The Town of Cambridge is once again running the Cambridge Christmas Lights Trail competition. Entry is free, with categories for best home ($500 gift voucher), and best street/laneway (street sign recognition).

Entries close at 5pm on Thursday, December 4. Entrants will then have until 5pm on Monday December 8 to provide a photo of their Christmas lights for the map. To register. go to cambridge.wa.gov.au/Discover/ Whats-On.

2025 Christmas Concert

★ How creative can you get this year to light up Cambridge?

★ Cottesloe Civic Centre is a great location to enjoy festive music at sunset.

Ocean-inspired jewellery a feature of Bazaar

Nedlands jeweller

Koro Brown set herself the task of making every piece of jewellery for her Christmas collection a little bit different.

“It’s been very timeconsuming, but I love the idea that everyone will have something completely unique,” Koro said of the collection she will have for sale at next weekend’s Bazaar at Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre.

Her brand is called Koro Island, named, as she was, after the Fiji island on which she was conceived.

Three years ago she launched her business at Bazaar as part of the incubator program, which waives stall fees and provides mentorship and support for emerging artists.

“Until then I had been selling to family and friends,” Koro said, “but the market opened up a whole new audience and I got a few commissions to do engagement and wedding rings.”

Koro Island jewellery

is inspired by the ocean. “I wanted to cast organic material, things that people wouldn’t ordinarily notice on the beach,” Koro said.

She transforms recycled silver and ocean treasures from seaweed to natural pearls into sustainable jewellery.

Koro Island is just one of 50 artists and designers showing their original handcrafted designs at Bazaar, WA’s longest running makers market.

This year there are 14 new stallholders and severa; artisans who are returning after long absences.

From December 5 to 7, Bazaar will transform the arts centre’s lawns

into a festive wonderland of creativity, with art, homewares, fashion, jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, woodwork, prints and toys.

WFAC continues its commitment to nurturing emerging talent through its Incubator program, with four new artists being supported.

They are Say PIRL – colourful genderless clothing featuring tactile Braille messages; By Imi – playful stationery illustrations; Possum Rose, contemporary Aboriginal artworks; and Symone Ishak’s ready-to-hang canvas artworks.

The market opens on Friday night with the launch of a Fremantle Press book, Rivers Flow: Reflections on the Songs of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter.

The exhibition galleries will be open with curator tours of Objet d’Art: Theo Koning and his Creative Self and there’s live music on Sunday.

■ Bazaar opens at 5pm on Friday December 5 and runs on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Entry is a $2 donation.

Jul means Christmas in Swedish, and marknad means market. The Swedish Club of WA holds its annual Julmarknad this Sunday.

If you dream of a white Christmas, this is a chance to indulge in a traditional northern European market with Swedish and other Scandinavian items.

Wares include Swedish woven cloths and runners, Christmas serviettes with Swedish designs, handcrafted wooden items, traditional Swedish Christmas decorations and Scandinavian crafts.

Sweden is famous for its

baked goods, so indulge in Lussekatter (saffron traditional buns), cinnamon buns, Tosca cakes, spice cakes with ginger, cloves, cinnamon, traditional homemade breads like kavring, tunnbrod and hallakakor. There will be a cafe selling tea, coffee and glogg (spiced wine), as well as cakes, biscuits and waffles on the griddle.

■ The Swedish Club’s Julmarknad is on from 2.30 to 4.30pm this Sunday, November 30, at the John Leckie Pavilion in Nedlands. Entry is by gold coin donation.

★ Koro Island jewellery is inspired by the WA coastline.

★ Bazaar at Fremantle Arts Centre is the original makers market.

Choral celebration at UWA

Opera singer Lisa Harper-Brown is taking up the baton as a guest conductor at Royal Schools Music Club’s A Choral Christmas Celebration.

The Royal Schools Music Club was established in 1926 as an organisation to support local music and musicians. This festive season it is joined by Perth’s oldest choir, UWA Choral Society which has been running for 94 years and has 150 members auditioned from within and outside the university.

Under the batons of Lisa and UWACS conductor Kris Bowtell, and with soloists soprano Beth Redwood, alto Bobbi Ralls, tenor Ciaran McChord and bass Sholto Foss, UWACS will perform a program of uplifting, joyful and soulstirring Christmas delights. Highlights will include

Your chance to star

North Fremantle residents are calling for local performers.

If you would like to sing, play an instrument, dance, recite, tell a story or otherwise entertain your community, contact northfreoconcert@gmail. com by December 6. The community Christmas event will be finalised once the lineup has been confirmed.

Mozart’s Coronation, the always-popular Messiah Choruses For Unto Us A Child Is Born and Glory of the Lord, and Rutter’s Shepherd’s Pipe Carol Mass.

The concert will end with everyone invited to sing much-loved carols.

A Choral Christmas Celebration performs in Callaway Music Auditorium, UWA, next Saturday December 6 at 5pm, with refreshments from 4.30.

Book through www. trybooking.com.

Season’s cheer in Subiaco

The Subiaco Twilight Trail is back with eight spectacular large-scale installations that weave a trail through the heart of the city.

This year, the trail includes the iconic golden tree, a big Santa with a present, and a giant gold and red hot air balloon.

At each installation, scan the QR code to unlock augmented reality as part of the Twinkling Treasure Hunt.

The popular Christmas Cocktail Trail begins this weekend with a self-guided adventure through local bars and eateries for exclusive Christmas-inspired cocktails.

The trail is a festive way to celebrate with friends and family while supporting local businesses.

Cocktails include Merry Matcha at Refuge Small Bar and Subiaco Hotel’s

Oh Hey WA are running three Festive Sundowner walking tours on Wednesdays December 3 and 10 and include drinks at two venues plus food to share. Booking is essential.

discover Subiaco’s large-scale Christmas installations.

★ Perth’s oldest choir, the UWA Choral Society, performs for Perth’s oldest music organisation, Royal Schools Music Club.

★ LEFT: Singlefile Great Southern Rose 2025, $32. Vibrant and refreshing. Bright acidity and delicate fruit character make it a versatile companion to seafood, fresh salads and glazed ham. CENTRE: Deep Woods Estate Harmony Rosé, $18-25. Dry with a beautifully persistent finish. The 2025 vintage won the Margaret River Wine Show best rosé this year. RIGHT: Happs Fuchsia, $20. Perfumed and playful, sweet and sparkling.

A very Happ-y Christmas that year

It’s the season built on memories, whether full of innocent magic or family chaos.

One of my first wine memories was in the soaring mudbrick kitchen of the Happ family home in Quindalup, when winemaker Erl Happ interrupted my afternoon piano duet practice with his daughter. He rushed into the house with a triumphant cry, shouting for everyone to come and taste one of the first bottles of the nowiconic Fuchsia.

Piano practice was paused while the wine was poured to all who answered the call. Everyone gave their

School Holiday Workshop Teens 14+

★ Unique handbags made from hemp and organic cotton and screen printed, handcrafted by One Thousand Lines, Adelaide, and available at Aspects of Kings Park.

Gifts

ideas to put smiles on everyone’s faces this Christmas

considered opinion on the bright berry flavour and the tingly fizz.

I was young and it was the first wine I had tasted … I’m sure I wore my best “very impressed” face. But now, whenever I open a bottle with my family, I remember that shared thrill and buzz of excitement.

Paint a photo of yourself, Mum, Dad … or anyone you love. Turn it into a cool, colourful portrait you÷ll give as a present. Fun, chilled, creative vibe.

Reserve your seat today! www.poppinpainting .com.au/school

★ Bring a touch of Italian sunshine to your table with lemon-woven linens and hand-painted ceramic oil jars and platters. Exclusively at Busatti Perth in Nedlands.

★ Give the gift of a blissful Bodhi Kodo massage ($305 for 90 minutes). Inspired by Australian indigenous healing, this unique massage melts away fatigue and tension, re-aligns energy flow and energises mind and body. For every $100 spent on Bodhi gift cards until December 25, go into the draw to win a $10,000 luxury escape at Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide’s most opulent hotel.

★ Echoes of the Sea: Sterling silver earrings with an 18k yellow gold finish pave set with white topaz, $1600, created by Keiko Uno Jewellery –www.keiko-jewellery.com.

★ Gingerbread House kits: put together your own gluten, wheat and nut free gingerbread house from Strange Grains, Onslow Road, Shenton Park.

6 DECEMBER: CAROLS IN CHURCH 5PM FEATURING THE PERTH UNDERGRADUATE CHORAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS EVE: 9PM

CHRISTMAS DAY: 7.30AM & 9.30AM

Jen Rewell

★ Erl Happ

Artist donates from the heart

Patients at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco will have a new work of art to admire during their stay, thanks to a donation recently made by Simon Tweed.

Simon is an artist and hairdresser, who recently underwent emergency heart surgery.

At first he had presented at an emergency department with severe influenza symptoms, but the doctors who assessed him detected underlying heart issues.

Two days later he underwent open-heart surgery in the St

Churchlands choir finds music to love

Music lovers of all ages are invited to hear the Churchlands Choral Society perform in Floreat on Sunday December 14, at 2pm.

The choral program is titled Loved and Found and will include beloved classics and newfound musical delights.

Musical director Rachel Martella and accompanist Alex Wheeler will lead the choir, which will be joined by guest musicians WASO violinist Zak Rowntree and pianist Lisa Rowntree.

All are welcome to afternoon tea after the performance, which

John of God Hospital coronary care unit.

He underwent a triple bypass, in which surgeons create new routes for blood to flow to the heart by grafting healthy blood vessels from other parts of the body around blocked or narrowed arteries.

Associate Professor Jurgen Passage said the timing of Simon’s operation was critical.

“Once Simon’s angiogram showed the extent of his blockages, it was essential that surgery happened quickly,” he said.

Simon spent eight days in hospital, including four in the intensive care unit.

To thank the medical staff for their care he drew a St Lucian parrot in coloured pencil and donated it to be hung in the hospital.

“I just can’t put into words how grateful I am for the entire team,” he said.

“This artwork is my way of saying thank you and I hope it brings joy to others who come through the hospital’s cardiac ward.”

The Churchlands Choral Society will perform on December 14.

is included in the ticket price. There will also be a raffle on the day.

Floreat Uniting Church is in Berkeley Crescent, Floreat. Tickets $25 adults. Children under 12 free.

Book online in advance by searching Churchlands Choral Society Inc. “Loved & Found”. Tickets also on sale at the door. For more information email churchlandschoralsociety@ gmail.com.

Simon Tweed with his coloured pencil rendering of a St Lucian parrot.

Photo: Paul McGovern

Make a toast to art and friendship

By LINDY BROPHY

When 86-year-old Mary Jane Malet had a stroke walking to her local dog park, it was one of the dog-walking community who came to her rescue.

The word spread quickly through Mosman Park and her family was alerted, her greyhound named Snow was cared for, her garden watered, and a visitor roster for the hospital was put in place.

When the artist came home, dog-walkers cooked her meals, brought her books, and spent time with her.

Mary Jane’s dog-walker friends still support her, accompanying her on dog walks, taking her to appointments, making the occasional meal and helping

around the house.

It is a great example of a close community in action.

But there was another benefit.

One of Mary Jane’s dog friends is another Mosman Park artist, Carol Stevens.

The pair, despite their age difference of more than 25 years, have become close, and on December 7, they are having a joint exhibition of their work.

“I said last December that my open house would probably be my last hurrah,” Mary Jane said.

But Carol, a multi-media artist, has helped to inspire her older friend to do it again.

They are both visual artists.

Carol designs and creates large-scale sculptural artworks which can be found across WA, including entry statements for

the Wheatbelt towns of Hyden and Dumbleyung.

She works in steel, aluminium, wood, bronze, granite and print and her hand-drawn highly detailed designs are often of West Australian flora and fauna.

Mary Jane is an award-winning painter in oils and watercolours whose work covers landscape, still life and portraits.

Next weekend, Carol and MJ will be showing their work at an Art Garage Sale at 26 Horgan Street, Mosman Park.

The house and studio will be open from 10am to 4pm on Sunday December 7 and visitors are invited to share a glass of festive cheer.

For more information phone Carol on 0404 915 320 or go to carolstevensart.com.

New prize in children’s fiction

Stories about a displaced teenager writing letters to connect the lost to their loved ones, and a girl who refuses to return to school after being teased about her eye patch, have been named winners in the inaugural Spiers Prize.

The prize for children’s literature is named after retired WA primary school teacher and philanthropist Gail Spiers.

Winner of the young adult fiction award is Zahina Maghrabi’s The Girl, The Calico and The Soldier.

It is the story of Iqra who has been displaced from her home in Casmir and is bound to a promise she made to her grandmother.

“It’s an incredible honour to win the Spiers Prize,” Zahina said. “It still feels surreal in some ways to have my work recognised at this level but I’m so grateful and excited.”

Rebeca Green’s story A Girl, a Boy, a Horse and a Zorse won the middle grade fiction award. It is about self-conscious 12-year-old Roo, whose life changes when wishes come true.

“I’m so grateful to Gail Spiers and UWA Publishing for providing this opportunity and excited that Zorses will have a moment in the spotlight,” Ms Green said.

Each author has won $5000.

The judges were UWA Publishing manager Kate Pickard, literary agent and author Danielle Binks, author and academic Sally Murphy, and Gail Spiers.

From now on the Spiers Prize will offer prizes for middle grade and young adult fiction in alternate years.

Entries for the 2026 middle grade fiction prize open in May.

For more information go to uwap.uwa.edu.au/ and click on Awards.

Kate Pickard, left, with Zahina Maghrabi, Rebeca Green and Gail Spiers.

Mosman Park artist Carol Stevens with the entry statement she designed and made for Hyden.

• Architect-designed coastal masterpiece by Grounds Kent & Biagioni Homes

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Push on for mental health

Students are being urged to sign up now as ambassadors for the 2026 Push-Up Challenge.

The challenge is a campaign for students, teachers and school communities to get active, have fun and learn about mental health.

Students completing Years 10, 11 and 12 in 2026 anywhere in Australia can apply to be a student ambassador.

Ambassadors benefit by developing skills to have conversations about mental health with confidence, learning more about mental wellbeing, and bringing their school com-

munities together to push for a good cause.

The Push-Up Challenge mental health promotion manager, Amberlee Nicholas, said young people were the least likely of any age group in Australia to seek professional help for mental health issues.

But this year more than 750 student ambassadors from 450 schools – including John XXIII College – led more than 40,000 students around the country to do millions of push-ups.

“It’s inspiring to see students from across the country uniting their communities through fun and fitness,” she said.

“School groups remain

Delivering

some of our most passionate participants, wholeheartedly embracing the opportunity to learn about mental health while coming together to achieve a shared goal.”

The Push-Up Challenge is described as Australia’s biggest mental health and fitness event.

In 2026 it will take place in June. Participation is free. It involves doing a set number of push-ups across three weeks to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities.

For more information go to thepushupchallenge.com.au.

Check those pool fences

Royal Life Saving Australia is urging parents and carers to always supervise young children around water.

The society said that in the past 10 years 183 Australian children under the age of four had drowned.

Two-thirds of those drownings were in a swimming pool.

Royal Life Saving Australia CEO Justin Scarr said it was vital parents kept constant watch of children near water.

Mobile phones and social media could distract parents long enough for kids to enter a pool area unsupervised.

For more information visit royallifesaving.com.au/keepwatch.

Fun with Scottish Fiddlers

Enjoy an afternoon of music inspired by the sea with the Perth Scottish Fiddlers in Subiaco next weekend.

The musicians will perform music from Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Scandinavia and America, followed by afternoon tea and a jam session.

All are invited to bring along their own instruments to join in.

The Perth Scottish Fiddlers, based in Subiaco, describe themselves as a vibrant group of musicians who play the rich and varied violin and dance repertoire of Scotland, both traditional and contemporary.

They are directed by musician and music teacher Margaret Schlink and play a range of music from beautiful airs and stately “strathspeys” to fast and furious reels and jigs.

The group’s original tunes and arrangements have an Australian flavour.

Sea Pictures with the Perth Scottish Fiddlers will be on Sunday December 7 at 2.30pm at St Andrew’s Church Hall, 259 Barker Road.

Tickets $25 or $23 available online by searching “Sea Pictures with The Perth Scottish Fiddlers” or pay cash at the door.

For more information visit perthscottishfiddlers.com.au.

Students and teachers from John XXIII College taking part in The Push-Up Challenge.

TheTrustedAdvantage inTheWesternSuburbs

Claremont-LucindaGarlick&CurtisMcQuade

Cottesloe-StefanieDobro&LucindaGarlick

MosmanPark-CurtisMcQuade

NorthFremantle-StefanieDobro&CurtisMcQuade

ShentonPark-SimonMaynard

Subiaco-SimonMaynard

Play bridge for fun and games

Whether you are brand new to bridge, a “kitchen” bridge player, or haven’t played in a while, all are welcome to the West Australian Bridge Club’s free gala open day.

It will be 3.30 to 5.30pm on Wednesday, December 3, at the club’s home at 7 Odern Crescent, Swanbourne.

The day will include an introduction to the game followed by light refreshments.

A club member said the free gala open day would be the perfect low-pressure way to try bridge and find out what it’s all about.

“Come with a partner or fly solo and we will pair you up,” she said.

“Bridge is a bit of a mental workout mixing logic, deduction and creative thinking – but it’s also good fun, with plenty of friendly banter along the way.”

Bridge players come from all walks of life and WABC’s 900plus members include teenagers through to those in their 90s.

The club’s purpose-built home near Allen Park includes a social area and bar where players meet before and after games.

“WABC has WA’s most exten-

sive beginner and refresher courses for those keen to take up bridge or to improve their play – and gain from documented health benefits,” the member said.

Bridge is a game that could be played socially or competitively at any level around the world.

“WABC has sessions every day except Sunday – and is an ideal place for meeting new friends and catching up with old mates,” she said.

To book for the open day email bridge@wabridgeclub.com.au, phone 9284 4144, or just turn up on the day.

Sing out with Carols by the Lake

Carols by the Lake will celebrate the festive season and International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) with a concert at Galup/Lake Monger.

From 4pm on Sunday December 7, the Activ Heartbeats choir will be perform on stage, with singer Ellie Skinner, Cambridge musicians, the Cambridge Community Choir and an Auslan interpreter on stage.

Off-stage there will be lots of children’s activities including an animal farm, dodgeball and face painting as well as a visit from Santa.

As part of IDPWD there will be a special community art activity run by disability and the arts organisation, DADAA, and Rebound WA will offer wheelchair basketball.

A chill-out zone will provide sensory toys, headphones, colouring activities, blankets and seating, and there will also be a “sensory container”.

Take picnic rugs, fold-out chairs or cushions to enjoy the performance comfortably.

ACROD parking is available in the public grassed carpark off Gregory Street. If you or someone you care for requires additional assistance to participle in the Carols at the Lake event, contact Cambridge council by email on mail@cambridge. wa.gov.au or phone 9347 6000.

The free event is at Lake Monger Reserve, on the corner of Lake Monger Drive and Gregory Street, Wembley. For some people, the grassed area may be uneven to walk on, but space is available for mobility aid users.

Put on your thinking cap

Philosophy in schools is the theme of a day of free talks on December 7 – the first day of the Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia’s annual conference at Edith Cowan University’s Joondalup campus.

The opening-day sessions will include a panel on philosophy in schools chaired by Professor Laura D’Olympio, and a Philosothon demonstration by Scotch College students.

UWA Associate Professor

Nin Kirkham will deliver an address titled “What did critical thinking ever do for us?”

To register for the free opening day go to humanitix. com and search “Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia (PESA) 53rd Annual Conference” and choose a PESA Sunday Complimentary ticket. For more information go to pesaconference.org or email conference@pesa.org.au.

Pictured are Sue Evans, Sue Lendich, Diana Currie, and Veronica Ntoumenopoulos at the West Australian Bridge Club. Photo: Paul McGovern

3 Jubilee Crescent, City Beach

Perfectly positioned opposite Jubilee Park - footsteps from the beach

726 sqm

OFFERS CLOSING WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER AT 5PM (IF NOT SOLD PRIOR) Christopher Dee 0413 122 499 chris@edisonmcgrath.com.au

Perfectly positioned opposite Jubilee Park, this architecturally designed five-bedroom, four-bathroom residence combines timeless elegance with relaxed coastal living. Step across the park for a morning swim, coffee with friends, or an evening stroll - this is South City Beach at its best.

With its ideal north-facing orientation, the home is filled with natural light and designed for comfort in every season. When it’s time to unwind, Clancy’s Fish Bar, Hamptons, Bert’s Café and the Surf Club are all just moments away - no car required. And for your four-legged friend, manicured parklands stretch as far as you can see. Spanning three levels, the home offers generous living spaces and versatile accommodation. A self-contained studio with kitchenette and courtyard provides the perfect retreat for extended family or guests.

Home Open: Saturday 29 November 10:00am - 10:45am

Opens: Saturday 29th November 11:00am-12:00pm | Tuesday 2nd December 5:30pm-6:30pm

-Grand European-inspired residence on an elevated corner site in prestigious Minim Cove enclave.

-Contemporary designed, ultra-sleek kitchen with Wolf and Miele appliances.

-Multiple luxurious living zones, including library, study and renovated theatre.

-Carrara marble bathrooms, Tasmanian oak floors, lift access, 15kW solar and comprehensive security.

-Private pool courtyard - includes alfresco kitchen, versatile living space, and wine cellar.

-River precinct location with scenic vistas and lush new landscaping.

37 Saunders Street, Mosman Park

Riverfront Wonderland

A once in a lifetime opportunity to secure one of Perth’s most stunning properties, with its own beach landing and jetty! With absolute river frontage, perched proudly on the North-facing end of Saunders Street, this exquisite Mid-Century Modern home boasts the most incredible views of the Swan River. With 646sqm of house area, a rooftop deck and a breathtaking main verandah, hosting a pool and undercover Vergola. The home also includes a beautifully appointed 2,500 bottle wine cellar, along with two well designed kitchens.

Once you step foot onto this spectacular property and soak in the view, you won’t want to leave. As you descend the cliff face steps, you’re spirited away to grassy beach landing, echoing shades of Lake Como, with a private jetty shared with the neighbour.

The house itself has a phenomenal feel as the tones and textures celebrate the detail of master craftsmanship at every turn. Each floor has its own kitchen, living spaces and bedroom quarters. For multigenerational living, or if you want an au pair quarters, this house can handle any living arrangement.

Clubs in the pink for Cancer Council WA

It was a sea of pink at Pat Goodridge Oval on Friday November 14.

Wembley Districts Junior Cricket Club and the Rotary Club of Cambridge together held a Pink Stumps Day at the weekly Cricket Blast session.

Families, children and volunteers, coaches and Rotarians turned out in force, all dressed in pink.

There were games and free giveaways, watermelon courtesy of Woolworths Floreat, a sausage sizzle,

cakes and plenty of cricket action.

There was a “guess the lollies in the jar” competition with participants making a small donation for the Cancer Council WA to take a guess.

There were also door prizes and a raffle.

Wembley Districts Junior Cricket Club president Kirsten Pic cinini said the boys, girls and senior women’s team continued the theme and raised money over the weekend.

“Many families are impacted over their lifetime for players aged five to 10 years.

Cambridge croquet to bet on B teams

The players at Cambridge Croquet Club are busy in more ways than one during the festive season.

Club member Stephen Barnes said that at this time of year the club catered to an increase in the number of people hiring the venue.

“This involves many people volunteering their time to supervise these events,” he said.

“These members are the real club heroes because their work helps to balance the costs of running the club.”

This time of year also provided Cambridge players with the opportunity to test their playing strength.

Players compete in each of croquet’s playing cat-

egories: A, B and C. Stephen said players in the C category were looking for more competition to develop their game.

“To date they have won all their games, a good omen for the future,” he said.

Players in the A category had missed out on being considered for state selection because there were few entrants this year.

However, the B team comprised strong players striving to improve.

“We have entered two evenly matched teams,” Stephen said.

“This was highlighted when they played each other, with one team winning by five hoops.

“In croquet parlance this is almost a draw.”

Cambridge Croquet

Fix it quickly. Support local.

Renovating or repairing your home?

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.

Club plays at 49 Chandler Avenue West, Floreat. For more information go to cambridgecroquet. com.au.

Cambridge

Monday November 17: 1

David Phillips, Ted Leigh;

2 Bruce Strange, Lindsay Brown; Plate David Hughes, Phil McShane.

Wednesday November 19: 1 Steve Parsons, Elizabeth Arrow, Chuck Belotte; 2 Geoff Parker, Geoff Boyd, Marilyn Boss; 3 Di Gilbert, Cliff Racey, Paula Poynter.

Friday November 21: 1 Paula Poynter, Carol Marsh, Dinah Shah against Gavin Arrow, Carole Nolan, Ann Ruzich, Ken Alford.

Saturday November 22: 1

Andy Jenkins, Brian Dick; 2 Colin Herrin, Adrian Cocks, Jay Medhat.

Ladies’ triples and men’s pairs are now being played.

Put your name on the list now for the club Christmas dinner at 6pm on December 12.

The Skyline Restaurant is open Friday and Saturday evenings. Walkins welcome or make a booking with club manager Ross Bolton.

Dalkeith Nedlands

Ladies’ Tuesday Pennants Nov 18 both divisions at home. 1st Division won on two rinks by 5 shots and lost the other by 1 shot, winning 5 points. 3rd Division lost two rinks, winning 1 point.

Saturday Nov 22: 1st Div defeated Thornlie by 9 shots and earned 3

For more information go to wdjcc.com.au.

Subiaco splashes out

More than 200 residents gathered at Subiaco Primary School’s community pool last Friday for a party to mark the start of the summer season.

School principal Heather McNeill, P & C President Jo van Gorkum and Subiaco councillor Penny O’Connor officiated on the day before the swimming got under way.

Also present awere volunteer lifeguards from Royal Life Saving WA. RLSWA guards are always on duty at the pool during opening times.

Subiaco Primary School uses the pool

during school hours, but the Parents and Citizens Association and City of Subiaco make it available to school families and the wider community outside those hours.

The pool is open through to March 8.

Families are invited to buy a $200 season pass

Bowling

points. Heather Hince’s team won by 17 shots. 2nd Div won the aggregate by 2 shots and managed 3 points. Kerry Chernoff and her team were the best performers winning by 5 shots.

Men’s Thursday Pennants Nov 20: 1st Div gained half a point; 2nd Div 4½; 4th Div all 6 points. The best performed rink in 4th Div was Gof Bowles, Ross McLean, David Mildenhall, Tony Payne with a 6-shot margin.

Saturday Nov 22: 1st Div won 7 points; 4th Div Blue (1) 8 points; 4th Div. Blue (2) 2 points. 1st Div: two teams won by 19 shots, skippered by Michael Yates and Darren Redeckis. 4th Div. (1) Ron Stapleton, Keith Allan, Ross McLean, Ross MacKenzie were the best with a 17-shot margin.

Open Gender Tues Nov 18: 4th Div. Red Round 2 at home against Manning. Betsy Tapley, Ian Graham, Anne Ormsby, Margaret McHugh lost 18 shots to 33. Dot Leeson, Jeannine Millsteed, Lesley Langley, Dave Leeson lost 9 shots to 28.

Thursday Nov 20: 2Gold in Joondalup George Savage, David

Allport, George Sterpini, Glen Morey lost 12-26; Ron Middleton, Jim West, Milton Byass, Rob Campbell lost 16-20; Mike Basford, Chris Litchfield, Tony Byrne, Mike Hatch lost 9-23.

Saturday Nov 22 at home against Joondalup: George Savage, Jim West, George Sterpini, Glen Morey won 18-24; Mike Basford, Mark Wilde, Stuart Porter, Rob Campbell won 25-9; Craig Hirsch, Chris Litchfield, Tony Byrne, Dan Byrne lost 15-21; Billy Gerlach, Jannette Middleton, Milton Byass, Mike Hatch lost 1428. 5Gold in Morley: Mark Petterson, Alan Evans, Ray Fells, Wally Graham lost 8-22; Brian Marsland, David Leeson, Ron Palmer, Beck Byrne lost 12-18; Jeannine Millsteed, Mick Canci, Dot Leeson, Betsy Tapley lost 18-20.

Thursday Nov 20: 2nd Div Lake Monger lost 46-64 to Cambridge to gain just 1 point – Brett Parker 20-18, Ansett 12-24, Cranswick 14-22. 4th div Dalkeith defeated Lake Monger 64-48 shots – Barrie Parker 17-22, Woodland 16-22, Hill 15-20.

Saturday Nov 22: 3rd Div 1-7 loss to Lake Monger at Yanchep – Taylor 10-

for unlimited swims or a 10-visit pack of pool passes for $65.

Revenue from the pool passes help subsidise the pool’s running costs.

Subiaco Mayor David McMullen said the City was proud support the community pool. It provided a “safe, friendly and fun local venue for hundreds of children to learn how to swim each year and a place for the community to connect, relax and cool off during the hot summer months” he said.

For more information phone 0481 382 922 or email pool@subiprimarypc.com.au.

21, Brett Parker 15-21, Cranswick 18-17, Ansett 16-21. 4th Div Lake Monger/ Doubleview defeated Swan 77-68, for 6-2 points for The Monsters – Hill 1516, Spencer 31-16, Radalj 17-23, Mahoney 14-13.

Pennant matches have been depleted due to ladies playing for WA in national championships in Tasmania. Some very keen beginners in Wednesday Scroungers. Trish Bouvre defeated fellow finalists Clint Lazenby, Mari Noffsinger, Michelle Lazenby. Play mahjong Thursdays 9am. All welcome to the club’s community day Sunday afternoon, December 7.

Last Saturday, the contribution of Guy Meunier to the club was celebrated when members competed for the memorial trophies. The winning men’s team were Guy Soubeyran, Marek Glinski and John Beamish. Emma Isliker and Marion Meacock won the ladies’ trophy.  The club will hold another round of the President’s Cup this Saturday, November 29. Visitors are welcome Saturdays and Wednesdays. Visit petanque-subiaco.com for details.

Mosman Park

Lake Monger

Subiaco Pétanque

Hollywood Subiaco

Croquet Cambridge B teams are from left Mark Johnson, David Williams, Ian Tarling and Cate Johnson, plus Larry Hurt, Amanda Hurt, Julian Clark and Lesley Storey.

Kirsten Piccinini with Finlay Williams, who won the lolly jar guessing competition.

LEFT: Wembley Districts Junior Cricket Club U17 girls at the fundraising day.

Subiaco PS community pool is open until March.

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Westbridge gets cycling naming rights

By Justin Fris

Subiaco-based Westbridge Funds Management has secured naming rights for next year’s AusCycling Road National Championships in Perth.

The five-day event will run between January 7 and 11 – beginning with time trials at the Perth High Performance Centre in Mt Claremont and ending with a series of road races through the Perth CBD and Kings Park.

This year’s event generated around $9.5million directly into the WA economy, and involved 3000 cyclists and paracyclists, and 50,000 spectators.

Westbridge chair Damian Collins said

the decision to secure naming rights for event was a simple one.

“I know clients and people within the financial world really enjoy cycling,” he said.

“The endurance, the persistence and the training that they’ve got to do is what people admire.

“We were delighted to be part of the sponsorship.

“There’s quite a few events where we’ll be able to bring along our clients and referral partners.

“We thought it was a pretty good opportunity to showcase Westbridge on the national stage.”

FOMO driving apartment sales

By Claire Tyrrell

An increase in activity in WA’s apartment market has boosted developers’ confidence after a tough few years.

Town planning and research group Urbis recently delivered its Apartment Essentials data, which shows 356 sales for the third quarter of 2025. This is the strongest result since the final quarter of 2021, when 367 sales were recorded, although that figure was down from 527 apartments in the previous quarter.

The latest results mark a significant increase from the second quarter of this year, when 195 apartment sales were registered.

Nathan Blackburne, from Cedar Woods which is developing InContro in

Subiaco, said FOMO was a powerful driving force on buyer behaviour.

Buyers had a perceived “fear of missing out” if dwelling prices increased beyond their reach.

“A common buyer profile at Incontro is parents buying for their children, because of a view that, by the time their children have saved the deposit, the prices will have run away,” he said.

“We’ve never really seen that to the extent that we were seeing it now.”

Data from Urbis shows that, in the 12 months to the end of September, the total value of multi-residential units sold in WA equated to $1.2billion.

This compares with the previous 12-month period, when $1.1billion worth of sales were reported.

Urbis partner David Cresp said the fact developers were proceeding with projects that had been dormant for some time was a major driver of the sales boost.

“Sales volumes are up, launches are strong, and developers are moving on new projects that have been on the go for a long time,” he said.

Among these are Finbar Group, which pulled the trigger on its $114million Belmont project Bel-Air apartments in mid-2024.

Finbar Group chief executive Ronald Chan said that was seven years on from the project’s initial launch.

The POST targets

More loyal readers

Spare Parts boss retires

By Ella Loneragan

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre artistic director Philip Mitchell will retire from his role in early 2027, after leading the company since 2001.

The Fremantle arts group said there would be a planned 18-month transition.

Mr Mitchell is the third artistic director, following founder Peter Wilson and Noriko Nishimoto.

“When I joined the company at the age of 35, I could not have imagined the extraordinary journey (or decades) ahead,” he said.

“After 25 years of having the best job in the world, I am so very proud of what we have achieved.

“While it is the right time for me to hand the reins to a new artistic leader, my belief in the magic of puppetry, and in Spare Parts, remains as strong as ever.”

Spart Parts chair David Mofflin called Mr Mitchell’s leadership “transformative”.

“Over nearly a quarter of a century he has nurtured generations of artists, championed the role of creative arts for families in our state and expanded the company’s reach across Australia and

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overseas,” Mr Mofflin said.

Mr Mitchell this year won the lifetime achievement award at the Performance Arts of WA awards.

He directed award-winning works at the theatre including The Arrival and Beanstalk and The One Who Planted Trees and On Our Beach.

Spare Parts hopes to move into Ellie Eaton Theatre next year, its new home at Claremont Showground.

Professional cyclists Ben O’Connor, left, Sophia Sammons and Luke Durbridge, right, with Damian Collins. Photo: Patrick Boere Photography

Philip Mitchell is Spare Parts’ third artistic director. Photo: David Henry

Finbar’s Bel-Air project has sold out. Photo: Finbar Group

Sarah McNeill sarah@postnewspapers.com.au

Bums on Seats sees theatre thrive

SARAH McNEILL

“Bums on seats” has always been the catch cry of theatre companies needing to fill an auditorium.

Ron Banks has taken this theatre idiom as the title for his comprehensive selfpublished book on the history of theatre in WA.

A journalist for 28 years at The West Australian, 15 of them as arts editor, Ron saw arts ministers and theatre companies come and go, actors and directors rise and fall, and plays open and close, triumph or falter, change the way people perceived themselves or be never seen again.

He subtitles his book “An unofficial history of theatre in WA” but in fact it is the only comprehensive history of its kind.

“Nothing of substance has been written about theatre companies since the 1950s in WA,” Ron said. “I wanted to recapture the past.”

He covers the history of the companies that emerged from keen amateurs to fully-fledged professional operations, the changing scene as government funding dictated the growth or decline of companies and a personal focus on those artists and directors who created artistic legacies.

The National Theatre became the WA Theatre Company, Swy Theatre became Perth Theatre Company, and Hole in

the Wall Theatre, which moved from Leederville to Subiaco Arts Centre, merged to become the short-lived first State Theatre Company.

Barking Gecko, Spare Parts and Blue Room theatre are all recognised.

The emergence of Black Swan began with the premiere of Bran Nue Dae produced by WA Theatre.

Janet Holmes a Court was so excited by the production which premiered at the Octagon at UWA, she decided “that we couldn’t let the magic of Andrew Ross disappear so we should start a new theatre company for him.”

Ron wrote: “The arrival of the Effie Crump Theatre on the Perth scene in 1990 signalled the kind of theatrical enterprise never seen before.

“Here was a professional, unfunded theatre company founded by a relatively unknown actress and her husband and run on a shoe-string budget from an old working-men’s pub in Highgate.”

It became a mainstay for actors for almost a decade.

Ron was also keen to hear from actors, wanting to know how they came to the stage.

Long before the WA Academy of Performing Arts, they came from all walks of live to become much-loved actors.

Faith Clayton, Rosemary

Barr, Sally Sander, Maurie Ogden, Jenny Davis, Jenny McNae, Michael Loney, Ivan King and Jill Perryman all became household names.

Ron asked actors and directors to write their own essays which gives the book a collection of unique and personal voices.

He also pays tribute to the legacy of directors like Alan Becher, Edgar Metcalf, John Milson, Leith Taylor and Aarne Neeme.

“A lot of actors loaned me their scrapbooks,” Ron said.

His two years of research has led to an entertaining, informative and comprehensive history of theatre from the 1950s and many fond recollections for theatre players and theatre lovers alike.

To purchase a copy of the book ($25+pp) email Ron Banks at ron.f.banks3@gmail.com.

WA.

Half-time feed a game-changer

The portrait of a footballer breastfeeding her son while eating an orange during a half-time break has won people’s hearts.

Perth artist Jessica Logan has won Lester

■ LEFT: Half Time depicts the “vulnerability and power” of a footballer and mother, by Jessica Logan.

Prize People’s Choice Award, receiving $15,000 donated by the Baldock Family Foundation, for her evocative portrait titled Half Time.

The portrait’s subject, Cassandra Terranova, is a mother of twins, an athlete and an advocate for women in sport.

“As an artist, I’m drawn to portraits that

speak to resilience in overlooked moments,” Jessica said.

“Painting Cassandra was a way to honour the quiet strength in her reluctant yet defiant decision to breastfeed mid-game.” The People’s Choice Award officially marks the close of the 18th annual Lester Prize for Portraiture exhibition.

■ Former arts editor Ron Banks has written a comprehensive history of theatre in

Fly on the wall a social climber

just that.

A queasy sense of unease builds throughout Lurker, an equally compulsive and repellent psychological thriller about contemporary fame and fandom.

You will recoil, even if you can’t quite stop watching.

It is the directorial debut of Alex Russell, a writer on television’s acclaimed The Bear and Beef, who penned the screenplay during COVID lockdown.

The adage advises you should write what you know, and Russell does

As a young man forging his career in Los Angeles, he was familiar with the social dynamics of being around artists and their entourages.

He tells the story from the perspective of a hangeron, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), an awkward young vintage clothes shop worker and fanboy who craftily captures the attention of a browsing, rising Brit-pop style singer, Oliver (Saltburn’s Archie Madekwe), by cueing up a song he knew was one of the singer’s inspirations. Meanwhile, he pretends he has never heard of Oliver.

It’s a stealth move that

New Year’s Eve Concerts

scores Matthew backstage passes to Oliver’s show that night, and afterwards an invite back to his pad in the Hollywood hills.

At first, Russell makes you sympathise with Matthew’s cringy halfadmission into Oliver’s way cooler entourage.

But it isn’t long before his nauseating sycophancy and dead-eyed manipulation becomes something far creepier as he weasels his way into becoming Oliver’s unofficial documentarian.

What is interesting about Lurker is that it is not a simple rise-and-crash story of a social climber.

Russell shades the central relationship with

the idea that Oliver and Matthew might not be all that different; that Matthew’s imposter syndrome is not that far from Oliver’s own sense that perhaps he hasn’t earned his stripes.

Could Oliver need him?

After all, the host-parasite relationship is symbiotic.

Of course, Russell can’t quite account for how an unqualified upstart like Matthew might fudge his way into directing video clips and documentaries to any success.

But he doesn’t sweat the small stuff.

And at 100 minutes, unlike Matthew, Lurker doesn’t outstay its welcome.

More wearisome than Wicked

Wicked For Good (PG)

REVIEW: PIER LEACH

It took me a moment to work out why I left Wicked For Good feeling ambivalent.

I enjoyed Part One last year, despite its obnoxious runtime, and the stage show 16 years prior, when the Wizard of Oz prequel (originally written by Gregory Maguire) about friendship, the scourge of authoritarianism, and the fickle nature of public perception was still delightfully novel.

Wicked Part One features all the catchiest tunes

– Glinda’s (Ariana Grande)

chirpy Popular and Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) soaring Defying Gravity. And in breaking a 150-minute stage show into two too-long films (“defying brevity”, as one wag put it) it loses some of its momentum. But mostly, it’s that Wicked For Good, in the hands of returning director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians), is so sparkling, so pristine, so polished to within an inch of its life, that it has lost its beating heart, and the fun and feeling I remember from the stage show. It is a pink mausoleum. Wicked For Good is at best good. It’s a long way from great.

I was in love with a man for five years while we were students at university. We were secretly engaged, but he called it off two months before the wedding.

A year later, on the same date we were supposed to be married,

he married another woman. I married later, but am divorced from the man I settled for.

Forty-three years later, the first man contacted me. We met and he claims

he is happily married. He told me he didn’t marry me because he thought I was smarter than him, he did not want to take me from my family, and he did not think I would like the travel involved in his career.

None of these things were discussed at the time. He said he thought about me for years and checked to be sure I was divorced before contacting me.

nature of your relationship to his benefit, that’s the proof.

Forty-three years ago this man engaged you in secret, broke the engagement and then rubbed your nose in it by marrying another woman on the same date the following year. It appears he has stirred the pot again and is waiting to see if it starts simmering. If you go forward, then it’s all on you.

I am so angry with him for re-entering my life. How dare he say he is happily married and was still thinking of me? Following our brief reunion, I stopped all communication. Have you ever heard a crazier story?

Ursula Ursula, Oliver Wendell Holmes once said:

“The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done.”

We surmise the “secret engagement” was his idea, and if the promise of marriage changed the

Women often cling to memories of their first love, especially when the relationship involves physical intimacy.

You are no longer the innocent girl you once were. You are a mature woman who can see that actions are the proof of character. You cannot project that a life with him would have ended well simply because your need for the right partner was never fulfilled.

You are free to think the moral of this story is: Once a rat, always a rat. Wayne & Tamara • Need some advice? Write to writedirectanswers@gmail.com

(M)

■ Oliver (Archie Madekwe) and Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) develop a uncomfortably co-dependent friendship.

■ Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) represent good vs bad - much like films part one and two.

Bending identity for a straight banana

SARAH McNEILL

Tommy, Rumsty and Master Freddie Manners were all pseudonyms for Effie Marion Fellows.

Born in Subiaco in 1893, Effie used her childhood tomboy nicknames as her stage names when she became a male impersonator.

She’d had numerous jobs working as a boy until her secret was uncovered, but in Melbourne a theatre entrepreneur contracted her as a male impersonator at Fullers Theatre, and Effie became renowned as “Australia’s Perfect Boy”.

When filmmaker Marco Noe was given Effie as the subject of a documentary for the State Library’s WA Reflections, he wondered how to tell her remarkable story.

And then he discovered Geoffoire.

Geoffoire Piantar –names he devised for himself based on his love of the theatrical and music Pian(o/gui)tar – lived with Effie for a short time in

Subiaco when he was 18 and she was 82.

“The word I’d use to come across Geoffoire is miracle,” Marco said.

“He is a tradie by day and moonlights as a musician by night. But he’d always been inspired by Effie’s ‘half woman/half man’ dress and dreamed of doing that one day.”

Marco’s documentary, I’ve Never Seen a Straight Banana (the title of a popular vaudeville song

in the 1920s and 30s) became the story of two like-minded people from different generations but who had both struggled with identity.

Geoffoire identified as a man but dreamed of dressing like a woman and shared his struggles with Effie for a short time back in 1976.

Fifty years on, Effie’s fearless spirit inspires Geoffoire to confront his own long-avoided creative

Amelia Park hosts top 50

Margaret River

winery Amelia Park hosted the annual World’s 50 Best Vineyards awards this month though no Australian operation made the list.

Vik winery in Millahue, Chile, won the overall award for the world’s best vineyard and the award for best vineyard in South America.

Set across 4300

hectares with the mighty Andes as a backdrop, Vik is described as having “a visionary blend of wine, architecture, landscape and luxury”.

German vineyard Schloss Johannisberg, of Rheingau, came second and was best in Europe.

The awards celebrate wine tourism with the ethos “the perfect fusion between humans, experience, land, climate

Marco’s documentary is one of four funded by ScreenWest and State Library WA (SLWA) for the series, WA Reflections, where a new generation of filmmakers get to reimagine the State Library archives for the big screen.

The Road Ahead, about disability pioneer Arnold Cook, who lived in Nedlands and worked at UWA as a senior economics lecturer and established the first guide dog school in Perth in 1951, will be screened by SLWA on Thursday, December 4.

ambitions.

“Effie is an unsung hero, and I found a way to celebrate her courage through a contemporary lens,” Marco said.

WA’s

WA’s sparkling wines are marvellous, delicious and … great value. Among them, Howard Park demonstrates the highest quality.

Howard Park Petit Jete Blanc de Blanc NonVintage: Creamy, lovely texturing, long, balanced

and high technology”.

France featured several times in the top 50 for vineyards in Provence and Champagne, as did Mendoza Province in Argentina, with five vineyards.

The only one in Australasia to make the list, at 26, was Cloudy Bay in Marlborough, New Zealand, the product of prominent Margaret River wine pioneer David Hohnen.

A commemorative statue to him and his guide dog, Dreena, is on Kings Park Road.

I’ve Never Seen a Straight Banana screens on Thursday December 11, and on Thursday December 18, A Search Beyond the Stars examines WA’s space exploration and achievements. The screenings are free and each one is followed by a panel conversation.

■ To book go to slwa. wa.gov.au/stories/ photographs-and-films/ wa-reflections

best of the best ON THE grapevine

By john jens

18.4 pts. A bargain, $25. Jete Premier Brut: Fuller, fresh, classy and long. Goes

deliciously appealing. 18.7 pts. $36. Jete Rose NV: Strong, sturdy, powerful and elegant. Very complex but finely textured as it runs towards the finish. Perfectly balanced with good length. Even the sparkle is nely textured and gives a lovely mouthfeel. Best as an aperitif.

18.5pts. A steal at $39. Jete Grand Vintage, 2019: Light, young, fresh, subdued, ethereal, elegant and extremely long. Almost exquisite. Wow! Reviewed as “absolutely outstanding”, it won Best Sparkling Wine Trophy at the Wine Show of WA.

18.8 pts. $46.

■ Geoffoire Piantar was inspired by Effie Fellows’ courage to pursue his creative crossdressing ambition.

■ Effie Fellows of Subiaco was Australia’s Perfect Boy

■ near the Observatory in the Perth Hills.

Estate living in the Perth Hills

Weddings, engagements, baby showers and milestone birthdays all have been celebrated at La Bella Vista Estate, a multi-generational home constructed by the owners who have their own building business.

It is their permanent home – not just a holiday house – so they went all out with high-end finishes and fittings to create a residence like no other in this neck of the woods.

add to the atmosphere and fun,” they said.

The mezzanine level of “The Shed” has a new dwelling that provides extra accommodation for guests.

One of many things the owners say they will miss is the view from what they claim is the highest point of Bickley on the Darling Scarp.

“From the moment you step inside, the house opens up to the landscape, making the outlook a constant part of everyday living,” they said.

The experienced builders worked closely with designer Ian Brownfield who drew up the plans.

“We began building in 2008 and moved in the following year, even though

The sprawling home, with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, is on a 6.45ha site near Perth Observatory and Kalamunda National Park.

to do,” the owners said.

“It has truly been a labour of love.

“Over time, we have shaped and refined the house, gradually transforming it into the beautiful home it is today.”

There is a choice of entertaining areas, includ-

ing a big garage they call “The Shed”.

They created that versatile space for family gatherings, parties, charity events and work functions.

Guests get a real kick of having a ride in “The Bevy Bus” – a 1923 Ford Model T schoolbus they restored and modified.

“It is licensed to drive, although it goes very slowly, and we have used it at many celebrations to

Among the many features is a striking timber and stone inlay shaped like a flower.

A porte cochere, 53 commercial-grade solar panels and a large cellar are on the long list of extras.

Just a touch over the odds

A woman who was in hospital waiting for surgery missed out on buying a Shenton Park house by just $100. “We asked her if she could go up by another $100 but she said no,” agent Matthew Yap of Ray White said. Bidding opened at $1.5million, and 34 bids later 257 Onslow Road went under the hammer for $2.271million to a family. The two-storey home has a hidden feature that many people overlooked at home opens – a lift behind what appeared to be an ordinary door. “Most people thought it was just a storeroom so they got a nice surprise when they opened the door to see a four-person lift,”

he said. The 2001 home is on a 347sq.m site with a garage off a rear lane. In other results: CITY BEACH •14 Taworri Way went under the hammer for $3.7million Ray White agent Vivien Yap said the buyer barely spent more than a couple of minutes inside the property before the auction began. There were two bidders for the two-storey home on an 861sq.m site near West Coast Highway. WEST LEEDERVILLE

•129A Northwood Street was knocked down to a final bid of $1.925 million Thomas Wedge of Ray White said the buyers, from Melbourne, wanted to return to the suburb where their family live. The other two bidders were from WA and Sydney. The two-storey home is on a 271sq.m site.

the Simpsons

It’s official: West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson and his wife Nichole have sold their City Beach home for $6.15million and bought another property on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The couple will relocate to Melbourne ahead of a part-time coaching role with Carlton next year. The Simpsons bought the block in Dampier Avenue, City Beach, for a touch over $1.5million in 2016 and built a 5x4 on the north-facing site opposite a reserve. It was advertised for $6.5million through agent Scott Swingler of Shore Property. The 1077sq.m property settled on November 18, Landgate records show. The buyer is listed as Troy Alexander Santen, an engineer working in the renewable energy industry.

for $12m

This historic Cottesloe house hit the market last year for $20million, sparking enormous interest in who bought the prominent pile opposite Sea View golf course Julie Michelle Luscombe

$12.8million buyer of the 1925 and more than a year to sell the 1181sq.m property with subdivision potential. The sellers, the Arrow family, made their fortune from farming and pearling. They had owned it since 1966. Selling agent

■ Adam and Nichole Simpson have scored new digs in Victoria after selling their City Beach house for $6.15million.

■ Auctioneer Mark Whiteman calls for more bids at

Onslow Road, Shenton Park, which sold

Will they subdivide? That’s the question locals are asking after this Cottesloe house sold for $12.8million. The 1925 house settled on November 5.

COTTESLOE

7 Perth Street

Offers by December 2

If you are on a good thing, stick to it – as the Hyde family have found. In 1926, Donald Hyde’s parents bought 12 Perth Street and raised their children, including Donald, there. That’s where Donald met his future wife, Dolores, who grew up at No.9. So guess where the couple lived after they were married? Perth Street, of course. They bought this property for sale, No.7, in 1963 and have lived there until recently. They demolished the existing house in the 1970s and built a modest brick home with parquet floors and other vintage features. The 278sq.m property is ripe for renovation.

Pool parties and more

his woodworking hobby,” one of the owners said.

I

t is often the little things that make a house appeal to a particular buyer – and in this case it was space in the garage to indulge a hobby.

“My husband was particularly keen to have a space to set up a completely enclosed workshop for

“A number of beautiful pieces have come from his workshop.”

There is plenty of light in the workshop thanks to glass on two sides and roller door access from the garden.

With a half tennis court and a pool, the home has seen plenty of family action over the past 22 years

“Our grandchildren have loved running around, and riding their bikes, on

5/4 Richardson Avenue

Low $1millions

Buyers came rushing out of the woodwork when this 3x1 unit was advertised in the POST last weekend for $899,000, and agent Aaron Storey bumped up the price to low $1millions. “We already have offers in that range,” Mr Storey said. There are six units in the 1960s complex near the river. “It is on a large, 1491sq.m block, which is very appealing to buyers,” he said. The seller had lived in the ground-floor unit for almost 30 years before renovating it recently to sell. The formal dining room was converted to a third bedroom, making it more attractive to investors looking for a rental. The seller paid $206,000 for it in 1999, property records show.

the half tennis court,” the owners said.

“The pool is also a hit with the grandchildren, even on chilly days when they can run between there and the warm outdoor shower.”

A conversation starter in the main living area is a dividing wall with a fish tank in the middle.

around entertaining in different outdoor zones that include a rear terrace off the main living area, a separate alfresco area and the pool.

“We have enjoyed many special occasions and pool parties,” the owners said.

ture wall and timber-lined ceilings.

The location opposite Presbyterian Ladies’ College is ideal for those with daughters at the private school.

The owners are downsizing to be closer to their extended family.

The house was designed

■

It is possible to entertain all year round in the alfresco area, which has a fireplace, limestone fea-

“We hope another family might get to enjoy this home as much as we have,” they said. Oenophiles will appreciate the large cellar with space for about 1000 bottles.

■ Trent Vivian 0432 392 387.

■ Aaron Storey 0417 931 604.

Ride bikes or play tennis on the court in the big backyard.

■ Stepping-stones over a pond give the front of the home a resort vibe.

■ The owners are downsizing from their 1500sq.m property with a pool after more than 20 years.

■ The cellar is all ready for your collection.

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Playlovers bring house down

“In the end it’s sad because it’s a bit of history that the community have now lost,” he said.

Playlovers was based at Hackett Hall from the year it opened, 1960, to 2016, when it was declared unsafe.

Many actors have begun their careers there, including Wicked star Suzie Mathers.

“For a community theatre group it did exactly what we needed it to do,” Mr McLennan said.

The group has not had a permanent venue since 2016.

“A lot of councils don’t really understand what community theatres need,” Mr McLennan said.

“You’ve got kids [in high school drama programs] who are really keen and engaged, then they come out of high school and there’s nothing.”

Bill Vincent, who lives opposite the now-demolished hall, said he and other neighbours were glad to see the building finally demolished, years after it was fenced off and boarded up.

“It’s been a long journey,” he said.

“At least the dilapidated eyesore and the floodlights that were on 24/7 are all gone now.”

Mr Vincent said he had been accosted in a supermarket by an elderly couple after he spoke at a council meeting in support of demolishing the building.

“I was in Woolworths and I got rammed with a trolley by some oldies because they’d gotten married there, and how dare I,” he said.

If you need to advertise, the POST delivers. Every week, ads in the POST target over 112,000 keen, engaged locals. See for yourself why more people & businesses advertise with us. Get paid to exercise. Call Mary 9381 3088 or 0466 749 804 Local. Independent. Trusted POST paper deliverers needed in the western suburbs. Immediate start.

It’s great being part of the POST and we all love it but at the end of the day, we’re in business and we have to make a profit. And one of the things we’ve always felt about the POST is that we’ve got a great return on our investment, with the advertising space we use in the paper each week.

Fred Fairthorne | Owner | Farmer Jacks Group

• From page 5

Earthmovers made short work of the Floreat theatre.

Hackett Hall was Playlovers’ home for 56 years.

Cocky project ‘awful’

• From page 3

higher-than-average rainfall had led to multiple weed germination events, but that the project was otherwise proceeding as planned (Rain dampens winner Kingsley, POST, November 22).

“It’s like a renovation – the first couple of months you think ‘why did we do this?’ but then it gets better,” he said.

“The end product will be an extraordinary triumph for local government.”

Mr Kyron said he had commissioned an internal investigation into the project, which was approved by the council under previous mayor Fiona Argyle in November 2024.

“I have started asking some questions around what has happened with this project, how it was initiated,” he said.

“It’s an internal review and hopefully I can get to the bottom of what has transpired, because if this has happened here I’m worried that it might happen elsewhere within the City.”

The banksia woodland restoration is expected to take five years.

Cars trapped for four months

• From page 3

the developer bitumenise Shrike Lane at its own cost.

Found Developments sole director, Hootan Golestani, told the POST that works on underground services beneath the lane had been complicated by the fact that a sewer line was buried deeper than anticipated, requiring a trench box to be constructed for safety.

“I had planned that access for their garages would be closed for only a couple of days,” Mr Golestani said.

“We are dealing with multiple services being constructed in the same place.

“Instead of having gaps in between the phases it had all to be done at once.

“We were hit with a massive price increase because of all the complexities and [Nedlands council] put that on us.”

Mr Rubio said the project had been further delayed by shortng at the council.

“We had to wait a long time for them to go on site and inspect each stage,” he said.

Mr Golestani said the last stage of the sealing works would take place this week, and access to the residents’ garages would be restored on Monday.

Mayors push back

• From page 1

guide the united approach and provide some pushback at state level.

“The minister’s approach to announcing the State’s intervention in precinct planning was unnecessarily provocative and reinforced community concerns about his lack of regard for local voices,” she said.

“We agreed on a statement that reflects the shared frustrations and aspirations of the communities we represent.”

A central concern warranting attention was the need to bolster century-old western suburb infrastructure that had resulted in unsafe level cross-

ings, single-lane timber bridges, congested arterial roads, and outdated train stations.

“The standard of Metronet infrastructure and stations at other train station precincts named in the Government’s 10 locations, such as Redcliffe, Ballajura and Oats Street, has set a high standard and expectations,” Ms Brewer said.

“The Government must now prove it can deliver in the western suburbs.”

Ms Harkins said Cottesloe recently endorsed a new village precinct structure plan to guide future development around Napoleon Street and its train station.

“This plan increased housing density and supply while balancing community needs,” she said.

“This includes high density housing, improved streetscapes and new commercial opportunities that support local businesses

“Our council will be requesting that the state government work to improve the ageing infrastructure around the stations to accommodate the additional population that will result due to higher density developments.

“Issues such as the safety of the level crossings, the main arterial roads and the design of the Cottesloe train station are three such examples.”

Infill madness, say readers

• From page 1

direct intrusion into the democratic rights of local councils and the communities they represent.”

“Housing is a national problem,” one writer said.

“The high levels of sustained immigration have overwhelmed the housing market.

“We don’t need more $5million penthouses overlooking the river; we need lots of housing around $500,000 per dwelling.”

Another asked: “Why would

you prioritise what would be very expensive housing in the very expensive western suburbs when the constantly-expressed massive need is for social housing and housing affordable, available and accessible to buyers wanting their first home?”

End of backyards was mourned: “There is a lack of recognition of the probable need for increased public open space for outdoor activities (particularly for kids) to offset the reduction or loss of backyards.”

Also mourned was the at-

traction of leafy low-rise living: “Some of the most attractive streets of Swanbourne, Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park will also disappear without R-zoning protection or consultation.”

It was very Field of Dreams, wrote another: “If we build it without parking, they will use public transport. Insanity!

“And zero evidence of humans making that choice. Just ask the neighbours of already existing behemoths.”

Develop your own land, Mr Carey

• From page 5

But a bid for a state-wide tree retention policy was quashed in parliament by the Labor government two years ago.

Mr Carey denied attempts by local governments, such as Cambridge and Nedlands, to enshrine stronger versions of tree protection in their planning schemes.

Mr Newman said the state could roll out development unimpeded by those tree protections.

WA Local Government

Association president Karen Chappel has observed the declining influence of local governments in planning decisions.

“WALGA was not consulted regarding these plans and was first made aware in media reports on the Sunday morning,” she said.

“Having met recently with the chair of the WAPC, we are confident all stakeholders will have the opportunity to inform good planning and densification outcomes.

“While we remain confident that the WAPC will listen to

the community, if community members hold concerns, any criticism or feedback will now need to go to their local Member of Parliament, not to their council or elected members.”

Western suburb MPs Sandra Brewer and Jonathan Huston condemned Mr Carey’s plans. Mr Huston said they infringed on the democratic rights of local councils and the communities they represented, while Ms Brewer said they were unnecessarily provocative and overlooked key challenges with the area’s ageing infrastructure.

Coke joke goes haywire

• From page 1

“I did delete it because it came across as inappropriate, and to some of the people there, it might have come across the wrong way.”

The father did not report it to the authorities despite his safety concerns for the children.

“Reality is, it wasn’t going to make a big difference, and I alerted the hotel staff, who

he said.

He later said through his lawyer that he had flushed away the package himself.

Christ Church was aware of the incident but said it was not a school event.

“All arrangements and plans were made by adults and took place in their own time,” a spokesperson said.

The school did not clarify whether they had reported the incident or investigated it

Gum equals six storeys

• From page 7

point and an attractive setting for a cafe/commercial activity on Bishop Street.

“This area will be accessible to the public and developed with seating to provide an intimate pocket park and communal meeting place.”

The buildings would not have “any unreasonable overshadowing impacts” on neighbouring properties, it said.

Cedar Woods said it reduced the height of the tallest building from 17 storeys to 12 following its second meeting with the State Design Review Panel.

The application has been

made through the former State Development Assessment Unit (now called Part 11B of the Planning and Development Act 2005).

Like other members of the community, Subiaco council will be able to offer feedback but will be bypassed by the planning process.

This planning pathway has a track record of approving projects in the face of stiff community and council objections. Drawings and detailed information about the proposed development can be found on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.

your say in the

Preservation of this gum tree justifies a further six-storeys, says the developer.

Nedlands CEO Arthur Kyron, pictured, says this Dalkeith rewilding project is ‘awful’. Botanist Kingsley Dixon says it’s just phase one. Photo: Paul McGovern

The Key to England’s fortunes

THE Sporting

England’s disastrous Ashes opener was not the first time Perth offered Rob Key the chance for redemption, only for harsh reality to dash his hopes.

Key is England’s managing director of cricket.

While coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes are the architects of an England blueprint exposed as arrogant and misplaced at bouncy Perth Stadium, Key is their boss.

If he loses confidence in Bazball, England will move to a different method and, most likely, different personnel to implement it.

That has not happened. Yet.

Described by Andrew Flintoff as “England’s best captain never to captain the side”, the one-time Kent captain and occasional Test batsman is a sharp, witty, affable and insightful individual.

He made a very good fist of his time as a TV commentator, mixing sharp-edged analysis with even sharper humour, before answering England’s call to become cricket supremo in early 2022.

Stokes was appointed within a few days of Key taking the job. McCullum followed two weeks later. The three have been in lock-step ever since.

Key played briefly for Claremont-Nedlands 25 years ago, coming under the influence of batting coach Neil “Noddy” Holder, who tightened his technique, and one-Test quick Matt Nicholson, who put him on a path to the necessary fitness to play at international level. He had come to Australia

after his Kent coaches, John Inverarity and Ian Brayshaw, convinced him of the value of a Perth summer as a pathway to Test ranks and the importance of expressing his natural attacking game.

Bazball is not an alien concept to him, underlined, perhaps, by this line in his autobiography: “For some reason, we seem to be happier if people are out blocking.”

Key was back in Australia two years later as part of the Ashes party and although 12th man in the first Test, spent much of the match on the Gabba as a Simon Jones’ injury replacement.

It was there, perched in a close catching position, that he encountered Matthew Hayden for the first time and was taken aback by the robust Australian’s opening words: “Hey Key, how did you get a helmet that small on a head that fat?”

to team ones.

“I spent a week coming up with a witty response for Hayden in the next Test,” Key recalled.

“We went to Adelaide and I was all ready to return fire only for one problem – I made 1 and 1.

“It’s hard to return sledge when you are walking off only a minute after you walk in.”

The next Test was at the WACA Ground and although Key topscored in the first innings, his team was thrashed in barely more time than their rapid sur-

ponents; accepting that conditions will improve as the ball gets older and the pitch flatter; adapting to circumstances.

Hammering a square peg into a round hole does not get easier just because that’s where you want to put it.

That was evident last week when the England top order, released to play on its own terms no matter the circumstances, found that Bazball freedom

Sachin Tendulkar, a masterful batting technician and one of the best cricketers to ever play the game, worked that out after a couple of tours to Australia.

Like the current England team, for whom victory appears a useful but not essential byproduct of performance rather than the main game, Tendulkar operated in an environment in which personal achievements were often considered superior

Yet he showed at the SCG in 2004, with a remarkable 241 not out in a day and a half in which he categorically refused to chase any deliveries that offered any risk, that discipline, adaptability and half-decent batting IQ could be converted into an extraordinary performance.

All is not lost for England. They were well on top in Perth before their implosion surrendered the Test in several hours.

It is not difficult to envisage Australia’s batting, if Travis Head had not produced his rare gem, eroding in rapid fashion for a second time in the match. It was only two years ago in England, with both teams employing virtually identical batting line-ups to those used in Perth, that Australia gave up a 2-0 lead and eventually drew

Who would be surprised if the second Test, with a pink ball under lights at the Gabba making the contest a lottery, was played in similar fashion to the first but with the visitors coming out on top?

McCullum is focused on the positives. Stokes too.

Key has been waiting decades for redemption after his Gabba skirmish.

It didn’t happen in 2002-03, but maybe it will happen this time around.

Gaia’s goosebumps resonate

Surfers might not just be riding waves, they could be gliding on Gaia’s goosebumps across the ocean’s liquid lattice like tangoing lovers in locked embrace.

Next time you’re out bobbing in the Cottesloe line-up waiting for another glorious set, ponder the proposition that the ocean isn’t just water, it’s the breathing skin of Earth alive with memory and thought. That the fleeting wave you’re about to ride at Cove is a curling biokinetic kiss from the planet’s shimmering synapses

You might be communing with the primordial goddess of Earth on swells born from moon tides tugging at her bones and wind whistling through her wavy locks. Where for a few luminous seconds your ego dissolves into planetary consciousness and the Gaia Mind whispers: “You are part of me.”

This could just be the ram-

In 1952, German physicist Winfried Otto Schumann predicted a global electromagnetic signal generated by lightning strikes within the cavity of the Earth ionosphere.

Some theorists believe the Schumann Resonance aligns with human theta brainwaves associated with states of relaxation, meditation and creativity that hint at a possible synchronization between human and planetary awareness.

This idea echoes the Gaia Theory of James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis which views Earth as a self-regulating organism where life and environment co-evolve to sustain balance.

If the Schumann Resonance acts as the Earth’s pulse, then perhaps surfers are plugging into an immense cardiovascular system pumping through the oceanic veins of the world.

That when a surfer catches a wave, they are opening a portal blurring the boundaries between science and mysticism.

Surfer, surfboard, swell and Earth vibrating in a perfectly pitched performance of planetary poetry.

Where the ocean’s the interface and your surfboard’s the wing that carries you effortlessly away on the breath of a living planet.

Bolton a shining star to the finish

Announcing your retirement on the same day as the Ashes opener and AFL draft would hardly pass muster in a Public Relations 101 class, but that is what one of WA’s most credentialled and decorated footballers did last week.

Jye Bolton has never been renowned as a shrinking violet during 192 WAFL matches for Claremont, but he was happy to sneak out the side door after mulling over the decision for

He leaves the game weighed down by individual medals, many of them delivered by his outstanding performances as one of the best big-game players of the modern era, but lacking the ultimate prize – premiership victory – after two grand final losses.

mark when he arrived at the Tigers in 2016 after spending a couple of years as a rookie at Collingwood.

A robust, indefatigable and durable midfielder who hunted the ball with greater relish than just about any of his contemporaries, he was included in the WA team in his first year and underlined his glittering future with 46 disposals and his first Simpson Medal in a big win over Tasmania.

He won the Sandover Medal that debut season, added a second two years later, and won three more Simpsons as the best player in two State matches and a grand final.

All were built on his prolific ball-winning and a kicking leg that regularly drilled low, hard and flat 60m bullets.

One provided my favourite moment in a decade of Boltonwatching.

Bolton had a love-hate relationship with Swan Districts, once gathering 51 disposals only to cop a bemusing but memorable post-match burst from precocious 17-year-old Elijah Hewett, but had the final say after the siren in another tight game.

The subject of biting abuse from the Swans crowd for much of the contest, Bolton silenced them with an ice-cold 55m bomb that secured a five-point win and finals place.

There might have been more successful players this century – Subiaco’s trio of champion leftfooters Kyal Horsley, Alastair Pickett and Matt Priddis won multiple flags and medals – but Bolton was little short of their impact and collected a greater swag of individual accolades. It is a mystery that he never got an opportunity to play at AFL level, but he was a star of the WA league and a player who shone for a decade.

WA’s Isi Campbell tangos with the Gaia Mind during the 2025 Siargao International Surfing Cup qualifying series comp in the Philippines. Photo: WSL/Miers

John townsend

The columnist interviews Jye Bolton after his 150th match for Claremont.

Rob Key wants England to fly high again, as they did in 2004 when he was a team-mate alongside Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff

Key and Brendon McCullum are in lock-step about how to play Test cricket.

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 ...........................................................................................................

Suburb ........................................................................Postcode ....................

Phone number: ..............................................................................................

What have you drawn?:

Get up close to dinosaurs

DO YOU want to know what it feels like to stand in the shadows of the largest creatures ever to have walked our Earth?

At the interactive exhibition

Dinos Alive you can meet more than 40 animated dinosaurs, both the popular and the lesser-known, from T-Rex, stegosaurus and velociraptor to suchominus. Learn all about the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods in a fun and interactive way, dive into the depths of the oceans with a digital aquarium, and (for an additional cost) walk through the dense jungles of the Jurassic and see dinosaurs in their natural habitat with the help of VR technology.

Tricky treatments

It was a truly tricky doodle this week, but you rose to the challenge magnificently. There were so many intricate and complicated stories, such as Robert’s baddy taking control of a star, Chloe’s busy mini Adventure World, Fin’s superhero apprehending a robber, Neve’s witch peeking

Q. What did the doctor say when the Invisible Man tried to make an appointment?

A. Sorry, I can’t see him right now!

under a fence and seeing a bug, Marley’s face of Batman looming over Gotham, and Grace’s robot destroying a city.

Twister

Rory’s lawn rake rarely rakes really right. Tongue

Dinos Alive is on display at Northbridge Centre, 30 Beaufort Street, Perth, six days a week (closed Tuesdays). Book tickets through dinosaliveexhibit. com/perth. Children under three are free.

The tough job of choosing two winners came down to how well the doodle was incorporated into the picture. Florence Gillam, 8, from Floreat, is one of the main winners with her picture of a sculpture falling off a table. I love the idea of the awkward shape being a contemporary sculpture.

The other main winner is Alexandra Fish, 9, from Woodlands, who turned the doodle into the cute profile of a dog looking for treats.

So many brilliant and original ideas!

Q. What happened to the person who stole a calendar?

A. They got 12 months!

Q: Did you hear about the kidnapping in the park?

A: They woke him up.

Q. Why was there screaming coming out from the kitchen?

A. The cook was beating the eggs and whipping the cream!

Q. What do you do if your toe drops off in the middle of the road?

A. Call a toe truck!

Q. What goes ha ha ha bonk?

A. A person laughing their head off.

Florence Gillam (8)

Vouchers will be mailed and valid for 4 weeks. Robert Leggat, Ilyssa Teh, Chloe Mills, Fin Le Souef, Neve Iyer-Woods, Amelie Cadd, Marley Viana, Grace Connelley, Keerat Kaur, Winston Lindsay.