IT’LL be a while before WA sees a big music festival given this week’s extension of stage 4 restrictions, but a little park gathering for some jazz tunes can still be a treat. Local muso Mace Francis has been organising free “Hyde Park Jazz Parades” for anyone missing music or (modest) masses. “The idea is…

THE local character known as ‘Birdman,’ Alex Milivojevic, has reportedly died. Originally from Serbia, Mr Milivojevic was well-known through Highgate, North Perth and Northbridge, often seen playing chess, visiting the TAB, or out on his bike, and always hanging out with his pet corella Cheeky. Film industry figure Ian Hale reported Mr Milivojevic’s death and…

‘In these terrible times world-wide with the coronavirus, the values we learned serving our country should once again become prominent, and Aussie mateship is still the best mateship in the world; so let us stay united as a nation, and we will beat this’ – George Mills SPEAK to Korean war veteran George Mills for…

IF a picture is worth a thousand words, how many does a YouTube video tell? The organisers of a Perth science storytelling competition are hoping it’s a fair few: since Covid-19 has ruled out an in-person awards ceremony, they will be releasing all of the winning submissions online. In June, the International Centre for Radio Astronomy…

VINCENT council’s increasing online interface is locking some people out, particularly the elderly, say a couple of people who’ve recently received the “computer says no” treatment. Highgate resident Gordon Lee read in last week’s Voice that Vincent was consulting on six options to replace its bulk verge collection, including a repeated claim from the council’s website…

IT’S official – the scouts is good for you. A new survey has revealed countless benefits to having a woggle, with some of the biggest being resilience, self-confidence and mental wellbeing. Life skills that are invaluable during the covid-19 pandemic, according to Scouts WA Board chair Greg Higham. “Everyone needs the ability to stay positive…

A LONG-TERM plan has been implemented to save the Berringa Park Wetlands from decades of exotic weed infestation. The Berringa Park Friends Group formed 18 months ago and its volunteers have been working hard during regular busy bees pulling out the choking creep of bamboo, Brazilian peppers strangling paperbarks, and couch and kikuyu grass that’s…

SMALL cabals of councillors should not be given the power to pick a council’s CEO, the Power report into the City of Perth has recommended. Released this week, commissioner Tony Power’s report has laid bear a conflict at the heart of every council: The person responsible for making sure councillors follow the law is beholden…

A FULLY booked Future Bayswater forum met on Tuesday night over concerns the latest designs for Bayswater’s new train station is heavy on concrete and Roman-aquaduct aesthetic.  The train station’s being upgraded as part of the Metronet project and will be a junction for the new airport line. FB chair Paul Shanahan hosted the forum…

IF you’re particularly attached to the verge junk about Vincent right now, or you’d like this to be the last collection, the council’s now consulting on it. About 85 per cent (700 tonnes) of what gets put out for the annual verge collection goes to landfill and the council’s weighing up replacement options. Mayor Emma…