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  • Anzac celebration

    Anzac celebration

    Even Marjorie Williams’ 100th birthday cake was cottage-shaped. In the decades after the family.

    MT HAWTHORN mainstay Marjorie Williams has returned to celebrate her 100th birthday at Anzac Cottage, where she was born on January 3, 1921.

    The cottage on Kalgoorlie Street was built by the community in 1916 both as a memorial to Anzac soldiers, and to serve the practical use of housing a veteran.

    Private John Cuthbert Porter, wounded at Gallipoli, was chosen as the resident. Mrs Williams was born in the front room of the house, the fourth daughter of Pte Porter and his wife Annie, and the only surviving member of the original family to live there.

    Ms Williams’ daughter Anne Chapple, from volunteer group Friends of Anzac Cottage, says: “Anzac Cottage holds a special place in mum’s heart and to be able to host this milestone birthday celebration at the cottage means the world to her.

    “Whenever I visit mum, her first question is: ‘How is Anzac Cottage?’

    “Even after all these years, the cottage continues to be one of the most valued and important aspects of her life.”

    Mrs Williams, who served as an air raid warden and was in the Australian Women’s Army Service in World War II, lived in the cottage until 1946 before moving to the Goldfields.

    In the decades after the family moved out, the cottage fell into disrepair, and there was even murmurs it ought be demolished in the late 1980s. Mrs Porter used her war widow’s pension to fund a legal ruling, and the cottage was deemed to be vested in the state.

    It was restored by a group of Vietnam veterans in the 90s including Peter Ramsay, who says: “Marjorie always worked really closely with the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia WA while we were restoring and renovating the cottage. 

    “Her memories of life in the cottage and her historical knowledge were invaluable in ensuring that our restorations were accurate and resembled the original building as closely as possible.”

    By DAVID BELL

  • Words are not enough

    Words are not enough

    Alison Xamon

    In this week’s Speaker’s Corner, Greens upper house MP Alison Xamon reminds us the homelessness problem’s not solved just because a few announcements have been made.

    AS families rushed around the shops in the Perth CBD in the days before Christmas, and spent evenings touring the city’s festive light displays, residents of Tent City near the Lord Street Bridge in Northbridge had a humbler Christmas wish – they just wanted their make-shift camp made safe.

    Some of the most disadvantaged people in our community have gathered there to try to stay safe, or at least to feel marginally safer, and for some basic shelter against the elements. Advocates say that there have been up to 40 people sleeping beneath the bridge at nights, since the tents began to go up in the midst of the pandemic.

    I joined a group of volunteers who had answered the call of the Tent City residents, asking for help to dispose of rubbish, tidy the place up a bit, and ultimately achieve a level of basic dignity that every human deserves. 

    Pass the buck

    Residents have so far been deprived of a bin or skip, despite repeated requests, as governments at all levels pass the buck and fail to act quickly enough.

    It is confronting to witness firsthand the way people have been left living.

    The residents of Tent City are physically and mentally exhausted. 

    And despite the confidence (public health officials say complacency) about whether the pandemic will hit our shores, If a Covid outbreak comes, things will get much worse.

    They are trapped with nowhere else to go. 

    They need help, they have asked for it – but despite announcements it is not coming anytime soon.

    Many of the residents are already on the priority wait list for public housing – but with almost 15,000 applications representing 25,000 people currently on the wait list for public housing, the wait for the people of Tent City is likely to be long.

    The McGowan government has said, as part of its 10-Year Strategy for Homelessness released in August, it will initially target rough sleeping. 

    On December 1, the Department of Communities said it was acting to provide “immediate” short-term assistance to people sleeping rough. Three weeks later, just days before Christmas when I visited Tent City, around two dozen residents remained. And they are still there now.

    The McGowan Government has announced plans to build 500 new homes, but it is nowhere near enough and it is important to remember it doesn’t even replace the 1100 fewer social houses we now have since the McGowan government took office in 2017. 

    And data released during Homelessness Week showed WA would soon experience a housing shortfall of 38,500 properties. 

    The government has committed to building one of two ‘Common Ground’ facilities not far from Tent City. But with only a loose commitment to a starting timeframe of sometime in 2021-22, it’s not soon enough. 

    And it is simply not good enough. Demand is expected to continue to grow, as the full effects of the pandemic and economic downturn, and the once again reduced rate of welfare payments on offer from January 1, become clear.

    We have already seen over the festive period; a new tent city emerge at Pioneer Park in Fremantle. So far, the people who have set up tents there say it is much better – for at least it has a portaloo and somewhere to dispose of rubbish.

    Surely all Western Australians should be able to expect more. 

    As I helped to fill bag after bag of rubbish, and spoke to residents who desperately need not only a roof over their heads, but intensive support (including disability support), the general feeling is that they have been forgotten, gazed upon and discussed but with still no clear solutions in sight. 

    And in the meantime 9,100 Western Australians continue to experience homelessness every night.  

  • Top refurb  

    Top refurb  

    THIS week I made a rare venture outside Voiceland to check out the refurbished Como Hotel.

    In recent years the old art deco building has started to looked a bit tatty, but thanks to a multi-million dollar facelift it now takes pride of place on the Canning Highway.

    The new hotel interior is incredibly bright and airy with a huge open plan dining room that segues into an outdoor area with a giant pergola and deck, creating a Mediterranean vibe.

    Inside the classy fittings and stylish lights are tasteful, while the art deco wallpaper is a nod to the building’s illustrious past.

    The smallish menu wasn’t very experimental and pandered to the pub crowd with old favourites like chicken parmi, beer battered snapper and chips, and steak sandwich.

    There were also some “hand stretched” pizzas, salads and a range of entrees/share plates, but a specials menu or some curveball dishes would have piqued my interest.

    The pleasant waitress made sure we had ice cold tap water straight away, and was very efficient and friendly throughout our meal.

    All the waiting staff wore a livery with a smart olive apron. It was a small touch, but helped give the place a sense of identity and looked very professional.

    I kept things simple and ordered a beef burger and chips ($23). 

    skyscrapers that fall to bits when you pick them up, reducing your plate to a cholesterol swamp, while your doctor prepares another script.

    Thankfully this specimen had just the right girth and stature.

    The standout was the beef patty, which had a lovely chargrilled flavour and some creamy cheese melted on top.

    Rounding the burger off was some crunchy lettuce and juicy tomato. 

    The crispy fries were so moreish I had to stop my wife and kids from filching them.

    This was a solid burger that hit the spot.

    Across the table my wife was admiring her panfried duck breast with smashed potato, baby carrots and jus ($34).

    The dish certainly looked the part with thick slices of duck perched on a bed of potato and flanked by rustic carrots.

    “The duck is very tasty but I would have liked more pinky flesh as some bits are slightly over,” my wife said.

    “The smashed potato is nice, but some extra jus and seasoning would have given it more flavour, and there’s the odd cold pocket which is unfortunate.

    “Overall it’s a pleasant dish, but when you get over the $30 mark I expect it to have the wow factor.” Across the table, our kids were wolfing down their ham and cheese pizzas ($12 each) from the children’s menu.

    The pizzas were just the right size and nothing was left on the plate after 10 minutes, so all good. 

    During the meal we enjoyed a couple of ice cold beverages in stylish pint glasses, and there was a good selection of craft beers and wines at the bar.

    By 6pm on Tuesday, the large hotel was heaving with punters and there was a nice lively vibe, so the refurb has clearly gone down well with locals.

    There’s a 10 per cent discount for seniors on mains, but I didn’t see any weekday specials like 

    “steak night” which other hotels/pubs offer.

    You can’t fault the aesthetics of the refurbed Como Hotel, which is now a stunning watering hole for punters south of the river.

    The food was solid without setting the heather on fire, but I’m sure the kitchen will tweak the menu as they settle in.

    Como Hotel
    241 Canning Highway, Como
    comohotel.com.au

  • Dark thoughts at a grim time

    Dark thoughts at a grim time

    Performers get all existential in The Witch and the Goat

    OLD Customs House in Fremantle will be shrouded in myth and legend when Existence Theatre perform their atmospheric production The Witch and the Goat.

    Couched in eerie sounds and mysterious video projections, the ensemble cast will perform an allegorical tale about humankind’s deepest fears, which often manifest themselves as mythical beings and monsters.

    “The Witch and the Goat associates with typical fairytales by critically observing gender, class and nation and the consequences that ensue if you hide feelings and keep secrets,” says Existence Theatre co-founder and performer Elisabeth Eitelberger.

    “It shows prosecutors and defendants, the dark side of people’s minds and actions and the longing for a life free from bias and judgement. 

    “Moral of the story: You can’t change things if you are driven by fear.”

    For the past 20 years, Fremantle-based Eitelberger and Bello Benischauer have been collaborating on artistic projects in Australia and overseas.

    Benischauer wrote, directed and created the video and sound for The Witch and the Goat.

    During the performance he will synchronise live sound to the carefully choreographed movements and dialogue – conjuring up a preternatural forest and a bustling town square where folk gossip and dance to forgot about their woes.

    “All our Existence Theatre works are about human existence, how existential questions, fears and crisis affect people individually and are played out in life,” Eitelberger says.

    “The story for each production develops in present context while reacting to what people’s concerns are in the here and now.

    “We create temporary ensembles, depending on the scope and theme, and work on each project over a period of six months.

    “The Witch and the Goat brings together seven extraordinary talented performers including Emma Benischauer, Sarah Healy, Helah Milroy, Gala Shevtsov, Joey Valency and Bello Benischauer, who will enchant and mesmerise the audience in the beautiful Old Customs House.”

    Existence Theatre has never been more relevant than during the Covid-19 crisis, when the world came face-to-face with the Grim Reaper and pondered its own mortality.

    “The recent pandemic shows that even if we face the same issue, we experience it individually, because we come with different preconditions and are triggered by different things,” she says.

    “With this piece we again want to raise awareness that showing our struggling and fears is a strength and not a weakness and that there needs to be an open dialogue. 

    “Supporting each other in sharing thoughts and feelings through our stories is utterly relevant to address the fear that affects the whole society.”

     Part of Fringe World, The Witch and the Goat is at Old Customs House on Phillimore Street on January 15/16/22/23/29/30.

    Tix at http://www.artinprocess.com/the-witch-and-the-goat/ 

    By STEPHEN POLLOCK

  • History maker

    History maker

    THIS home is a little slice of Perth history.

    Situated on Musbury Terrace, it was built in 1897 as part of a row of terraced homes and is one of the few surviving examples of the Federation Italianate style.

    This heritage-listed gem has a gorgeous facade with a bull-nosed verandah, decorated parapet and rooftop pilasters.

    Inside you’ll find all the heritage bells and whistles including high ceilings, ornate wooden skirting boards, architraves and ceiling roses and cornices.

    But it doesn’t look tired and the owners have done a wonderful job of blending the past with the 21st century.

    This is really evident in the sleek, modern kitchen which has stone benchtops and a 900mm six-burner gas cooktop and stylish splashback.

    There’s a large island bench to enjoy breakfast, and you would never expect such a big kitchen when looking at the property from the outside.

    The house has a pleasant neutral colour scheme, enhancing the sense of space, and both bedrooms are spacious.

    The main bedroom at the front has garden views and includes an ornate mantlepiece and double built-in robes.

    Out the back the owners have transformed a small courtyard with additional parking into a swish entertaining area.

    There’s a nice alfresco deck shaded by cedar trees, and even a traditional bathtub that has been converted into a kitsch spa.

    After a hard day’s work, I could imagine relaxing in the tub and gazing up at the stars with a glass of vino.

    You could reconvert this into additional parking accessed via the rear laneway, but the property comes with three free on-street parking permits, so you should be fine.

    The home includes reverse cycle air con, and a cosy wood fire heater if you want a little taste of the past during winter.

    Situated in a highly desirable character precinct on Ruth Street, this 93sqm home is a short walk from the Perth CBD and a stone’s throw from the vibrant cafe scene in Northbridge.

    And when you feel like some relaxation at the weekend, Hyde Park and Robertson Park are not far away.

    This property represents the chance to own an inner-city heritage gem.

    Get in there quick.

    Home open tomorrow
    (Sunday January 10) 1.15pm – 2pm
    17 Ruth Street, Perth
    Expressions of interest
    Mark Hay Realty 9225 7000
    Agent Daniel Porcaro 0437 281 938

  • $7.5m to fix grandstand with no fans

    $7.5m to fix grandstand with no fans

    Mayor Emma Cole says the council will go DIY on Beatty Park Leisure Centre if state or federal support doesn’t arrive. Photo by David Bell.

    Vincent’s headache: What to do with Beatty?

    VINCENT council may have to fork out $7.5 million in repairs for a grandstand unlikely to ever seat sports fans again.

    The money is needed to maintain Beatty Park Leisure Centre’s heritage-listed grandstand and facade, with Vincent council resigned to DIY maintenance if state or federal funding doesn’t come through.

    A recent structural report said the overall centre was pretty sturdy and not at risk of collapse, but the grandstand’s been cordoned off for years as it doesn’t comply with modern safety codes. 

    The $7.5m is the bare minimum to retain the facade and grandstand, and much more will be needed if the two can be upgraded and opened to the public again.

    The centre was built for the 1962 Commonwealth Games and vested in Perth City Council, but when Vincent was carved out in 1994 it was lumped with the bills to keep verything running and in decent nick.

    Commit cash

    For nearly two years the council’s been trying to get other levels of government to commit cash to the centre, which is still crown-owned and considered a “regional facility” given 70 per cent of attendees are from outside Vincent.

    So far letters have gone out to federal Perth MP Patrick Gorman, federal infrastructure minister Michael McCormack, senator Dean Smith and premier Mark McGowan, and state sports minister Mick Murray and state Perth MP John Carey have recently toured the site.

    Advocacy efforts continue, as to date they’ve only received $270,000 of federal money. That’s a small dent in this financial year’s $2.9m bill to replace tiles, filters, and patch leaks in the dormant grandstand so it doesn’t deteriorate.

    Vincent mayor Emma Cole says “if our advocacy program goes nowhere we’ll at least start allocating some funds towards the preservation itself.

    “We’re spending $2.9m on Beatty Park this year” and would continue putting money aside for preservation: “We’re chipping away at it.

    “It’s not as if the structure will crumble and fall, it’s actually quite a strong structure, the concrete is in good condition.” 

    Develop

    In March various state government agencies pondered developing part of the site. But it’s an A-class reserve purely for recreation, is heritage listed, and the developable area is so tiny they decided it wasn’t feasible. 

    Ms Cole says big discussions are needed to decide what the community wants to do with the centre. 

    Community workshops are planned for February to April next year. 

    The council has a few ageing assets in similar shape that are a big burden on the budget, like Litis Stadium and Leederville Oval. 

    How to deal with them will all be considered under their new “asset management and sustainability strategy” councillors just voted to put out for public comment.

    While the name’s a bit dry, Cr Jonathan Hallett noted at this week’s meeting: “[Don’t] be put off by the name of the strategy, it’s incredibly important that a lot of community conversation happens around the elements that are in it because this is a long time coming.”

    By DAVID BELL

  • Crs take axe to ad budget

    Crs take axe to ad budget

    PERTH’s new councillors have slashed the city’s advertising budget by $1.26 million despite a warning from staff shoppers could drift to competing centres. 

    The cut to ads and external PR consultant spending was prompted by a motion from councillor Brent Fleeton at the December 15 meeting.

    “Social media likes is not enough to warrant the dollars we have seen being spent so far. We need time and money to get things right before going back to agencies to sell the city again in a big and expensive way,” Cr Fleeton said.

    He proposed halting all ad campaigns after promotions have run for the Australia Day activities the city chooses to replace the cancelled Skyworks. 

    Council staff warned “retreating from paid marketing and promotion will allow competitors, such as Crown Perth, Fremantle, big box shopping centres and other high street areas to take an increased share of voice and convert these consumers to paid visitors at the expense of Perth. 

    “The impact is likely to be felt immediately and could extend into future years as city marketing is turned off and on.”

    Consumer surveys show Crown already nudges out Perth CBD when it comes to where people go for dining and entertainment, and for shoppers the CBD is only narrowly in first spot above Westfield Carousel. 

    The current million dollar “Always On” year-round advertising plan was approved by the state-government appointed commissioners in July, adding to the short-term campaigns that run a few times a year for big events like Heritage Perth Weekend, free parking periods, or the school holiday retail campaigns.

    But Cr Fleeton’s fellow newbie councillors agreed to hit the pause button after February 1. 

    Cr Fleeton’s motion also requires council to approve bringing in any future consultants or agencies for ad campaigns. 

    by DAVID BELL

  • Switched on Anghie lights up laneways

    Switched on Anghie lights up laneways

    AT the December 15 meeting councillors approved a $280,000 “Light it Up” program suggested by deputy lord mayor Sandy Anghie.

    It will see local artists installing seven permanent lighting projects across various neighbourhoods. 

    Cr Anghie said many residents felt the city was unsafe after dark and part of the problem was a lack of well-lit spaces, especially its shadowy laneways. 

    Cr Anghie said laneways are the city’s point of difference compared to suburban shopping malls and new suburban developments.

    Lighting them would bolster the safe feel and draw people into the city at night, she said.

    Council staff like the idea and will present designs to councillors before the June 2021 council meeting.

    Councillors also endorsed Cr Anghie’s idea for a “Perth City kids app,” which maps out four or five walking trails and would give information on topics like Aboriginal culture, historic buildings, public art, gardens and Christmas lights. 

    It’s estimated to cost about $80,000 if they have to build the app, or they could save money by using an out-of-the-box template. 

    By DAVID BELL

  • The cement that held it together

    The cement that held it together

    • The Veteran Car Club of WA were just one of the history clubs that made the open day a great success.

    THE Friends of Maylands Brickworks funded, planned and organised the open day which was a great success with 320 people attending the three-hour event. 

    THE Friends of Maylands Brickworks funded, planned and organised the open day which was a great success with 320 people attending the three-hour event. 

    The team included Ken, John, Josie, Adrienne, Stella, Elliott, Greg and Marina.

    Giving the community an opportunity to see inside this impressive Heritage Listed building and for the FOMB to discuss the potential moving forward was rewarding. 

    A visitor centre was also set up in the Gatehouse with displays to help imagine a possible future for the site. 

    The FOMB wanted to create the feeling and character of the era when the Brickworks was in operation.  

    We invited the community groups to join us and were delighted to share the day with them, including Veteran Car Club of WA Inc, Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia, WA Police Historical Society Inc, and Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association.

    The stories they shared, the history and background of all the vehicles and dedication by each member was inspiring. 

    Community groups supporting each other is important.

    The FOMB were intrigued by wonderful stories from past employees who worked at the Brickworks or childhood memories of playing around the clay pits, as well as senior visitors who had bumped into fellow students they had not seen since primary school.  

    The excitement on their faces when seeing the vintage cars and talking to the owners – they couldn’t wait to share the memories on board the historic buses, pulling the cord to let the driver know they wanted to get off and the conductors who walked down the aisle turning the handle on the ticket machine. 

    The conductor or driver hopping off to help hang the prams on the back of the bus.

    It was a great pleasure to have the mayor Dan Bull, MP Lisa Baker, Justin Iemma and Emma Pringle come along and show encouragement for the Friends of Maylands Brickworks’ vision.

    It was fantastic to see so many young people and older members of the community coming together and enjoying the day was wonderful. 

    Everyone looked happy. 

  • State puts $3.8m into finding homes for rough sleepers

    State puts $3.8m into finding homes for rough sleepers

    Rough sleepers took their protest to the steps of Parliament in November: it looks like it paid off with $3.8 millionpromised to help them into accommodation.

    AFTER more than a year of people sleeping rough at the Lord Street homeless camp the state government has pledged $3.8 million to get them into accommodation.

    The two years’ worth of funds will see a partnership between the WA Department of Communities and an Indigenous organisation to ensure culturally appropriate and effective efforts.

    It’s a contrast to the approach taken in April when City of Perth staff attended with WA police to issue move on notices and clear out another nearby camp, throwing out what clothes and other items people couldn’t carry with them. 

    In recent months the department’s worked with other authorities and providers to come up with a coordinated plan to help the Lord Street campers and other nearby rough sleepers. So far 35 people have been put into short-term accommodation, 13 have been supported to return to country, and 18 referrals have been made for longer term accommodation at places like St Bart’s, the Beacon and Uniting WA. 

    This funding will see the department and the successful Indigenous organisation (not yet announced) work with people to get them into temporary, crisis or transitional accommodation, and stick with them to offer support until they get into long term housing “as they become available”.

    The state government’s first big “Common Ground” support and accommodation facility at the corner of Hill Street and Wellington Street is still a ways off, due to start construction until next financial year. 

    Jesse Noakes from House the Homeless WA has been working with the Lord Street folk and issued a statement saying it’s a good start and that sustainable long term social housing needs to follow.

    “This announcement from the government is an example of the power of people standing up for themselves and demanding what they need,” he said.

    DAVID BELL