THE Les Hansman Community Centre in Morley is set for a multi-million dollar rebirth. Bayswater city council is set to tear down the existing centre, built in the 1970s, and build a new civic and commercial mixed-use facility in its place. The multi-storey development could incorporate services currently at the Galleria, including the library, Max…

ALANNAH MacTIERNAN says it’s “very interesting” that a mystery letter writer slagging off councillor John Carey hasn’t come forward. It’s been three weeks since the Voice put out a call to “Naomi Clark” asking her to come forward and prove she exists. At the time Ms MacTiernan checked both the electoral and ratepayer rolls and…

PUBLIC art planned to beautify the Guildford Road underpass in Mt Lawley may be scrapped over a bureaucratic squabble. The Public Transport Authority wants to charge councils rent for the display of public art on bridge walls. PTA bugle David Hynes says a fee would cover “maintenance” costs. The move has incensed Stirling, Bayswater and…

IN Shakespeare’s day all female roles were played by men. Now, a Perth theatre company is aiming to turn that upside down. Her Infinite Variety Ensemble hit the scene last year, causing a stir with its all-male cast of Titus Andronicus. Now its new work, Playhouse Creatures, will honour the first women on English stages…

PEELING back layers of insensitive additions was like an archeological dig and the treasure revealed was Australia’s oldest organ, says Graham Devenish. His Bayswater-based Pipe Organs WA has been repairing and restoring organs for years, but none have been more exciting than the small chamber organ revealed to have been built around 1750. “The oldest…

FIVE men will front court Thursday May 30 charged with offences under the prostitution act. Vincent mayor Alannah MacTiernan is keen to name the men—if they’re convicted—as a deterrent to others seeking sex on Vincent’s streets, but her council is yet to sign off on the notion. Police say they won’t actively help the council…

WOOLWORTHS’ $3.5 million plans to upgrade the Maylands Peninsula Tavern have been rejected by the local development assessments panel. The application for the Railway Parade pub and bottleshop included a 743sqm Dan Murphy’s outlet, courtyards and family-style bistro, 123 car bays and two-storey offices above the liquor store. The bottleshop element of the application proved…

THIS year’s Pride parade will take place during the day to make the event more accessible to families “and people reluctant to visit Northbridge at night”. Organiser Pride WA acknowledges the night parades clog the streets during already-busy times and hopes the new plan will keep traders happy. And while some floats have been threadbare…

THE Aberdeen Hotel in Northbridge is for sale. Billed as “Perth’s biggest party pub”, The Deen has six zoned bars and hosts live music, shows, DJ sets and private functions. The Voice contacted management for comment, but it put us onto estate agent Lance White, who never got back to us. The heritage-listed building was…

PERTH city council is looking to spend $95,000 to light up 15 trees in East Perth. The $6000-per-tree idea for Royal Street was raised at a recent meeting. A staff report shies away from recommending yea or nay but does note, “the expansion of lighting in trees is very costly and is problematic in a…