Benvenuto! THE Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre was established to help Italian migrants settle into their new home, and to maintain their cultural heritage. These days the centre also runs a social welfare arm for women and youths, including counseling, along with aged care, support services for people with diabetes and Italian language classes in…

THE owners of Pet Lover’s Cafe in Maylands have seen business plummet drastically following an online campaign accusing them of supporting puppy mills—all because they bought a dog from an eastern states breeder. The family-owned business collects money for pet charities and says it supports abolishing puppy mills. It has rescued and fostered many animals…

PERTH state Liberal MP Eleni Evangel says “it’s impossible to see any logic” in Vincent city council rejecting an offer of bus lanes up Fitzgerald Street. The Barnett government proposed the lanes as an “interim measure” but councillors voted against it because they had no certainty about what it was an interim measure for. Before…

SUPPORTERS of marriage equality in Perth’s Irish community turned out to give a show of support to compatriots back home ahead of a May 22 referendum. Irish abroad aren’t able to vote on referenda so the local community sent a message back: “We can’t get home to vote, #please use your vote”. Perth had a…

A BAYSWATER council-watcher is trying to get to the bottom of claims a councillor said rude things about him six months ago. Ian Walters hadn’t heard the comments allegedly uttered by Cr Barry McKenna because, after asking in public question time why the council hadn’t accepted the cheapest quote for a tender, he’d left the…

SPUDSHED is set to sign on the dotted line and move into Coventry Village in Morley. The planned store will be 3519sqm and involve the relocation of existing shops and a children’s playground. Ye Olde Lolly Shoppe owner Jim Boyd say he is happy to relocate if it draw mores people into the village. “We…

AIRLINES are allegedly demanding $5000 to transport two tonnes of donated blankets, clothes and medicines to Nepal. The WA Nepali Association is aghast by the attitude of airlines such as Singapore, Malaysian, Qatar and AirAsia, which he says all refused to transport the goods for free. “They told me it couldn’t be done,” says Bhairab…

PERTH lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi has again confirmed her long-held stance that if people want to save heritage buildings, they ought to reach into their own pocket to buy them. Last year the Voice reported Ms Scaffidi’s similar sentiments about the Michelides Tobacco Factory, aimed at members of the public who’d wanted the council to…

PERTH ratepayers will shell out $15,000 for a painting of lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi according to a draft council budget. Her predecessor Peter Nattrass commissioned his portrait out of his own pocket and then donated it to the city. We asked Ms Scaffidi if she’d consider following Dr Nattrass’ lead and save the ratepayers some…

ALDI is looking at opening a store in Morley. The Voice understands the Galleria is one of the sites being considered by the budget supermarket chain. “As a part of our Western Australia expansion plans, ALDI has identified Morley as a catchment area with sites of interest,” said an ALDI Australia spokesperson. “We are in…