Perth Voice Interactive

Locals are coming forward with stories of why they want Vincent to stay as one single community instead of being split between Perth and Stirling.

The stories are being collected as part of the campaign to keep the council together.

Highgate couple Sara Haddock and Joy Wilcox says Vincent is “perfect for our lifestyle”.

“It is vibrant, ever-changing. It is a melting pot of race, cultures, ages, sexuality and socio-economic groups.

“As gay women, it is comforting living here,” Ms Haddock says. “The people are very accepting and we can go out as a couple without fear of judgement or comment.

“The council recently introduced a relationship declaration register. This is the first time in 30 years that our relationship has been recognised and recorded. Thank you Town of Vincent, I can’t imagine living anywhere else in Perth.”

The nurses doubt any other council in the state is progressive enough to back such a policy.

Designer Aurelio Costarella grew up in North Perth, attending the local primary school and later opening his design studio on View Street: “North Perth is where I draw my creative breath,” he says.

“The relationship between North Perth and the City of Perth is an obvious one, and one that cannot be diluted.

“North Perth has absolutely no synergy with the city of Stirling and any shift will only be detrimental to the future of the area and to the broader future of our state.”

Mt Hawthorns Marisa Galvin and Mark Rust used to live in Stirling and say, “we really don’t want to live on the periphery of a massive suburban council that has made comment that they don’t really want us”.

If you want to share your story, head to http://www.vincent.wa.gov.au or get in touch with Cr Julia Wilcox on cr.wilcox@vincent.wa.gov.au

by DAVID BELL