KINGS PARK is heralding spring with a month-long festival of wildflower displays, live music, guided walks and exhibitions. The jewel of the festival is the crown weekend on September 10 and 11, this year featuring the Mystérieuses Coiffures doing magical floral hairdos, the Adorable Florable wildflower characters entertaining kids, and resident poet Nandi Chinna reading…

PERTH city council’s acting CEO Martin Mileham has been locked into the position for a five-year term. Mr Mileham was formerly the council’s director of planning and development, and began working the CEO’s job in January when Gary Stevenson was sacked. Lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi says Mr Mileham was appointed following a robust recruitment process,…

THERE’S herbs everywhere if you know where to look, Regina Drummond says, even amongst the “weeds”. Ms Drummond is an expert from the Herb Society of WA, having joined up years ago on a simple quest to find some comfrey for a compost starter. That led her down the herby rabbit hole and now a…

A WORLD-FIRST trial where mental health workers accompany Perth police has been a success, according to a report. The initiative freed up officers’ time by reducing the number of people requiring hospital transports. Mobile co-response teams comprising a senior mental health clinician and two specially trained police officers were deployed last December and currently cover…

A PICTURE of a protestor dressed as the Lorax protesting wetlands destruction has been rejected from a Bayswater council photo competition for being too politically charged. Branka Radanovich submitted the pic of rabble rouser Greg Smith dressed up as Dr Lorax with a sign saying “Help save our wetlands and Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary” and…

KEEPING an eye on who’s wining and dining elected officials got a bit easier in Bayswater, with the city’s “governance portal” going online. The site is a one-stop spot about who’s been gifted what, who traveled where, and who’s not been showing up to meetings. The creation of many of the online registers was driven…

LOCAL government finances are to be overseen by the auditor general, with the Barnett government adopting a recommendation from a CCC report launched soon after massive rorting was uncovered at Stirling council. The report found local governments are vulnerable to fraud, corruption, and other misconduct. Local government minister Tony Simpson has introduced legislation to make…

BALCATTA’S tip-shop has reopened after a month-long makeover and is now under the management of a social enterprise. Workpower helps people with disabilities find employment, and CEO Lee Broomhall says the tip-shop is a great example of what can be achieved with a diverse and integrated workforce. ”I have no doubt customers who have frequented…

STIRLING councillors Stephanie Proud and David Michael picked up awards at the recent local government conference. Cr Proud picked up a merit award, while Cr Michael joined CEO Michael Jardine in becoming a recipient of an eminent service award for his council work over many years. ——— Correction STIRLING loves culture even more than we…

AMID a massive $25-million upgrade of East Perth train station a kind-hearted Voice reader has called up to make sure authorities keep an eye out for a family of finches that’s been living there more than 20 years. The reader (who wanted to stay anonymous because of his job) said for as long as he’d…