WITH the rest of the country ablaze, charitable efforts have spread across Perth to help eastern states communities cope with the fires. Concerts, bake sales, and goods donations have sprung up, while over at Milktooth kids art school in Bayswater the tiny artists are putting up their masterpieces for sale. The school’s Elizabeth Marruffo and…

“IRREPLACEABLE” custom surfboards have been stolen from a Mount Lawley couple, along with their car and camping gear. Hannah and Cameron Etchells’ Landcruiser Troopcarrier named Sandy was stolen from near their Chelmsford Road home December 29. “We were going on a trip to Esperance. We had the car packed up with so much stuff. We…

FRINGE World 2020 kicks off next week (January 17) for four weeks of magic, mayhem, music, circus, cabaret, and more. Acts are popping up in unusual places this year, and you can pack your bag for a shipboard overnighter for Fringe on the Water. The Vasco da Gama is set to become the first ever…

North Perth’s SCOTT GIBBINGS found the day after a rollicking Pride party had a challenge or two to overcome. STARTING your day with a hangover is not always a bad thing. It’s about perspective. The human condition dictates that fulfilment is derived through overcoming challenges. The hangover presents a novel challenge. It brings into focus…

A DELAY in working out how much electricity it uses has contributed to a $1.6 million blowout in Perth council’s power bills. Following the end of a deal with state government-owned Synergy in June 1 last year, the council has been paying “non-competitive rates” to the energy provider which saw its power costs balloon out…

TOUGH negotiators from the state’s sports and recreation department have left Vincent council with a $3 million hole in a long-term investment. The council built 246 Vincent Street in 2004 on the back of a 25-year loan, agreeing to a state government condition that the building could only be used for administering WA’s sport and…

THERE’S still some Jesus in this year’s Christmas festivities among the city’s baubles, reindeer and lights, with the City of Perth Christmas Nativity running December 20 and 21. The Christmas story will be brought to the stage with 100 performers and animals, plus traditional Christmas carols (and some new) in the Supreme Court Gardens. Santa…

THE State Administrative Tribunal has overturned Perth council’s refusal of a luxury doggy daycare in West Perth. In April commissioners refused Marian Gorman’s 60-dog daycare centre over fears the animals would be too noisy, and after hearing complaints from neighbours of the old scout hall in Murray Street, who said it was a bad fit…

NON-STOP karaoke for “connection”, “consent” and “catharsis” will run across January 4 and 5 at the new Pig Melon project space on Lord Street. Karaoke healer and Chicken Treat showgirl Consensual Connie is holding the protest singalong and “joyful resistance” for those wearied by the federal government’s “actions and lack of actions” on just about…

FORMER chair of the WA Planning Commission Eric Lumsden died Monday after a long illness. After retiring from the WAPC he was Perth chair commissioner from March 2018 to August 2019 when he stepped down on his doctor’s advice after being on sick leave for most of 2019. However he revealed at his final meeting…