Perth Voice Interactive

PERTH Design Week is set to return for its third outing this weekend, offering a vibrant platform to celebrate and explore design excellence across Western Australia. 

Established in 2023 by architect Sandy Anghie and designer David Smith, PDW has rapidly become a cornerstone event, fostering discussions and showcasing innovations that shape the region’s design landscape.

This year’s festival boasts an impressive lineup of over 80 events, encompassing exhibitions, talks, workshops, and interactive experiences that cater to both industry professionals and the design-curious public.

Some of the standout events from the program include:

• Pre-Designed Homes: A New Vision Rooted in Tradition today (Saturday, March 22) at The Mark in the state buildings on St George’s Terrace. This discussion, led by Archive Office and Grotto Studio, explores the evolution of Australian home design. The conversation will touch on historical influences and innovative advancements, offering insights into how tradition and modernity can coexist in residential architecture.

• The World’s Longest City – photography exhibition from March 25 – April 1 at 410 Murray Street. This photography exhibition offers a visual exploration of urban sprawl and its implications on city planning and sustainability. The launch on Tuesday March 25 provides an opportunity to engage with photographer Harry Cunningham and discuss the themes presented in the work.

• Adapt or Die – panel discussion on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the Liberty Theatre in Barrack Street from 5pm. This panel brings together experts to discuss the importance of adaptive reuse in architecture, including Activate Perth director Angelo Amara, Built director Jon Stone, Maverix Property Group director Jemma Hutchinson and Spacemarket director Sarah Booth. The conversation will focus on how existing structures can be repurposed to meet contemporary needs, emphasising sustainability and preservation.

• Level 3: Runway on the Rooftop on Wednesday March 26 at the North Metro Tafe campus. A new event on the week’s calendar, it’s presented by  North Metro’s fashion department and showcases emerging designers in a unique rooftop setting. Attendees can expect a fusion of innovative fashion and urban ambiance, highlighting the creativity of Perth’s next generation of designers.

• Perth Design Week Rooftop After Party on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Randal’s Rooftop at 712 Hay Street Mall. Culminating the week’s festivities, this after-party offers attendees a chance to network and celebrate amidst the city’s skyline. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the week’s insights and forge connections within the design community.

Since its inception, Perth Design Week has been a collaborative effort, bringing together various organisations and individuals passionate about design. 

The inaugural event in 2023 featured over 50 events, including exhibitions, talks, and walks, setting the foundation for what has become a significant annual festival.

For more information go to perthdesignweek.com

FREMANTLE council has voted to support a proposed sea organ memorial. 

The WA Fisher’s Lost at Sea Memorial Association (‘Fisher’s Association’) seek to build the memorial in recognition of hundreds of people who died in the development and operation of commercial fishing in WA. 

Fisher’s Association President James Paratore said a tight knit group of volunteers have spent thousands of hours researching the lives lost and archiving their discoveries.

The stories of over 220 people can be found in a website memorial which includes an interactive map of the locations of the incidents. 

Mr Paratore said it’s time to turn their attention to a physical memorial.

“We want to create an experience, rather than just a statue, a place where community can come together, really understand mother nature and reflect,” Mr Paratore said.

Mr Paratore said the proposed sea organ is intended to do just that. 

Inspired by the sea organ in Zadar, Croatia, the memorial would be built by the ocean, the waves ‘playing’ the mighty instrument.

Fremantle councillor Fedele Camarda brought a motion last week, requesting the council to support the project and consider contributing $10,000 to finance a feasibility study into the project as part of the annual budget process.

“It is a privilege for me to be able to bring the project forward,” Mr Camarda said. 

“It has touched a lot of people, even generations down the track. They feel the pain of losing loved ones and are aware of the dangers and sacrifices that were made.”

After a moving presentation from members of the Fisher’s Association, the council passed the motion unanimously.

Mr Paratore told the Herald the project is set to be both sustainable and renewable, being completely operated by wind and solar power.

A report to council suggested a location with existing seawalls and deeper water, as Croatia’s sometimes gets a bit rowdy in stormy weather.

Mr Paratore said the Fremantle inner harbour area near the Maritime Museum would be a desirable location.

Interest in the project is broadening and other regional areas including Geraldton are being considered. 

Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge​​ said the council has made a “pledge to advocate for the project” regardless of where it finds a home.

Mr Paratore said the choice of location would be sensitive and involve significant cultural considerations.

“We also intend to recognise the loss of life of First Nations people, there is a truth telling aspect to that as well,” Mr Paratore said. 

Though receiving formal council support is an important step forward, the project will require significant financial contributions.

Mr Camarda said the memorial would need support from higher levels of government, and from the commercial sector. 

Mr Paratore sees the project as an opportunity to bring the community together. 

“We think this would bring a lot of people together, especially the arts and heritage sectors.”

He said although the task was substantial, the Fisher’s Association team was determined to see the memorial built.

“We are very passionate about this, we are a bit like a dog with a bone, we are not going to let this go.”

To read about individual stories collected by the WA Fisher’s Lost at Sea Memorial Association visit www.flatsea.org

by ELOISE BUDIMLICH

A STRANDED ferry on Point Walter’s sand bar has been graffitied, with locals wondering when and how it will be removed. 

Local resident Tim Johnson has been keeping an eye on the vessel since it grounded on March 8.

Mr Johnson said officials down on the bar told him the vessel “busted off its moorings at Blackwall Reach and had drifted down onto the sandbar.”

He says locals are concerned the vessel is firmly stuck in place and will be difficult to remove.

“It looks like it is really rammed up there, I wonder when and how they are going to get it off,’” Mr Johnson said. 

On his daily walk on Wednesday, Mr Johnson was shocked to find the vessel covered in fresh graffiti.

“It’s pretty amazing; [they] put a lot of effort into it, by the looks of it,” Mr Johnson said. 

The Department of Transport says it is “aware of the grounded vessel” and has “attended on site to assess it.”

The DoT said officers issued a notice to the owner to remove the vessel. 

“[I]f the owner fails to do so, the DoT will remove the vessel from the water and seek to recover from the vessel’s owner any costs incurred.”

The DoT said the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation and the DoT’s Maritime Environmental Emergency Reponses are “also aware and monitoring this situation.”

by ELOISE BUDIMLICH

LOCAL retailers looking to sharpen their competitive edge can gain valuable insights at the City of Melville’s Business Breakfast Series, kicking off this Friday, March 21.

The three-part series, run in collaboration with the Small Business Development Corporation, will provide expert advice on visual merchandising, digital marketing, and small retail precinct growth. The events are open exclusively to small businesses within the City of Melville.

Visual merchandise expert Juliet Borshoff will lead the first session, Boosting Prosperity for ‘Bricks and Mortar’ Retail Operators, on March 21 from 7.30am to 9am (If you’ve got an early copy of the Chook). Borshoff, known for her eye-catching retail displays, will share strategies on how shopfront presentation can drive foot traffic and increase sales.

The second session, Boosting Prosperity for Hybrid Retail Operators, will be held on March 28 and feature digital marketing specialist Kasia McNaught, owner of McNaught Media. 

She will discuss trends in online sales and how businesses can integrate digital and physical retail strategies.

The final session, Boosting Prosperity in Small Retail Precincts, on April 4, will be presented by the SBDC, focusing on collaborative strategies such as co-operative competition and strategic alliances to strengthen local retail hubs.

Mayor Katy Mair expects high demand for the series, which aligns with the City’s 10-year plan to foster a thriving business environment. 

“We want to create a vibrant and prosperous business community while facilitating a business-friendly experience,” she said.

Bookings are now open for individual sessions or a full-series package. For tix head to events.humanitix.com/melville-boosting-prosperity

FORMER Fremantle councillor Bill Massie is putting together a volunteer group to knit items for people sleeping rough, and is looking for donations to kick it off.

Mr Massie said the group would meet at Two Dogs Laughing Cafe on South Street in Beaconsfield, and the volunteers would decide the time once they’d figured out what worked best with their schedules.

“Times can be flexible to fit in with participants’ own schedules,” he said.

“What is mostly required is donations of wool, knitting needles, crochet hooks and patterns.

“There is a plastic crate for donations at the cafe and the [council] depot Re-Use shop where I volunteer.”

For more information on how to sign up, contact Mr Massie on 0418 949 821, and for a pick-me-up, check out some of his poems at thefiresidepoet.com

PROMINENT children’s magistrate, Noongar woman, and Fremantle local Kim Farmer was inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame on Thursday. 

Ms Farmer is a qualified anthropologist and lawyer and has worked extensively in Aboriginal land heritage and native title. 

As a lawyer, Ms Farmer founded her own legal practice specialising in criminal, family, and child protection law, and has worked at the Aboriginal Legal and Aboriginal Family Legal Services.

She’s also the patron and vice-chairperson of the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation which was founded in honour of her late father and supports closing the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. 

Ms Farmer says she decided to go into law after working in native title and Aboriginal land heritage in the Kimberley, as well as a stint as a court officer in the Aboriginal Legal Service where she would advocate for Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. 

“Once I got into the courtroom, I realised how much I enjoyed it because there wasn’t a boring day, and I realised I had to go back to university to get my legal practice qualifications,” Ms Farmer said. 

“It was so dynamic… even now, years later, I still have the same sort of feelings as I did in those first few months.” 

Ms Farmer says she’s “been around long enough” to see gradual changes in the inequality of WA’s criminal justice system, but it’s “frustrating” to see how slowly that change is occurring. 

“Certainly at the Children’s Court, there’s an interest to understand why there’s a huge disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and such an overrepresentation in the criminal justice system,” Ms Farmer said. 

“I’ve seen that change, and I’ve seen a lot more understanding and respect for people that have intergenerational trauma, which particularly speaks to Aboriginal people. 

“Addressing intergenerational trauma takes decades for one generation, but for peoples where every generation have inherited the trauma of [their ancestors] the response is happening… the ripple effect is pretty minimal.” 

As patron of the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, Ms Farmer says she’s seen firsthand the “dire” education gap between Australia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. 

“Statistics are not narrowing to the extent that we want, but we have certainly created opportunities for so many young Aboriginal people over the decades.

“It’s still unfathomable that there can be such a huge disparity between Aboriginal children and all other Australian children,” Ms Farmer said. 

“We started really small, over 25 years ago in the Pilbara, and today we’re all throughout WA and Australia, with thousands of participants. 

“When we first started, it was considered an Aboriginal problem, but it’s not from the Foundation’s perspective; it’s about creating dreams and opportunities that our students can reach for, so the sky is the limit for them.” 

Ms Farmer says she is “very proud” and “a little embarrassed” by her induction as a famer.

“I’m very excited [to be inducted] …I’m better at talking about other people, so there’s a strong sense of awkwardness.

“I’m especially proud that I’m fortunate enough to have been able to go university and get degrees, which changed the course of my life. 

“I acknowledge my big achievements, but there were always small successes when working in my own legal practices as well, whether it was assisting people pro bono and be in that moment with them, and share their success or reflections of the outcomes they were getting.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER

THE amazing Fremantle Chamber Orchestra is celebrating its 20th anniversary. 

What an incredible achievement by founder and cellist Hans Hug, who decided 20 years ago to start his own orchestra so classical guitarist Milica Illic, a Balkan war refugee, could have her first concert.

Hug says in the beginning it was difficult to get musicians to play for the unknown orchestra, but when aspiring young conductor Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo took up the baton, and Rebecca Glorie became concert master, other musicians started getting keen on joining the Fremantle group.

But more importantly, world renowned Dutch violinist Rudolf Koelman, a friend of Hug’s, decided to fly over from Europe every year to be the soloist at FCO concerts. 

Koelman’s performances were like master classes for the mainly young musicians of the FCO, and an absolute delight to listen to. 

His sublime music always made me emotional and gave me goosebumps.

Hug says his orchestra has attracted well over 30,000 visitors to the Fremantle concerts alone, through more than 200 performances, mainly in the Town Hall.

The FCO also helped raise $18,170 in 2022 and $41,500 in 2024 for Ukrainian women and children.

The orchestra has been an incubator for dozens of young musicians who’ve played their first concert with the FCO, or been given their first opportunity to shine on stage as a soloist.

People such as 18-year-old Max Wung (Dvorak Cello Concerto), 19-year-old Hannah Woolley (Mozart Oboe Concerto), 20-year-old Emily Leung (Mozart Violin Concerto 3) and 14-year-old Ellie Malonzo (Wieniawski Violin Concerto No.2 in D Minor Op.22).

There have been a few FCO world premieres: Ellie Malonzo “found her voice” with her composition Concerto for Violin and Viola “Canons and Counterpoints” then backed it up with Concerto for 2 Violins, New York based WA composer Michael Salvatore Grebla’s Sfidare for String Orchestra got its first outing courtesy FCO, as did Ollivier-Philippe Cunéo’s Le Verre Siffleur.

The Fremantle Chamber Orchestra also love to play some of the largely forgotten compositions, such as the Wranitzky Symphony in D major, Atterberg’s Adagio Amoroso, Koželuch’s Clarinet Concerto No 2, Kraus’s Symphony in C minor, Gyula Beliczay’s Serenade for String Nonet in D minor, the Stamitz Flute Concerto in G major, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Strings in D major, Schönberg’s Notturno for violin, harp and strings and Bruckner’s String Quintet in F major: Adagio.

I believe Hans Hug should receive the Fremantle Citizen of the Year award for his dedication. 

He has been the driving force behind the FCO (where he also plays the cello), together with his wife Natalie and a small group of volunteers.

I was one of them in those early days, setting up chairs in the Town Hall, taking photos of the concerts, and serving drinks in the interval. 

It is absolutely inspirational to watch someone like Hans, always trying to get new musicians, sponsorships and performance venues. His energy never drops.

Well done to all who performed and to those who worked behind the scenes. 

You have enormously enriched Fremantle! Thank you.

Roel Loopers/FREOVIEW

THE Blue Room Theatre continues its tradition of experimental and “unorthodox” storytelling with its 2025 season which launches this weekend.

Block Party: Glimpse marks the beginning of the season, exploring the work of Australian artists through a mix of improvised music, dance, and experimental compositions. 

The event will take place this Friday (March 21) in the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts carpark, located in the Perth CBD.

The launch mixes “Friday night party vibes” and “unorthodox, absurdist, boundary-pushing” performances, according to The Blue Room Theatre creative director Joel Evans

Featuring a line-up heavy with First Nations Boorloo artists, Mr Evans emphasised the importance of incorporating Indigenous artists into their program.

He said Indigenous culture wasn’t featured enough in mainstream arts; “the arts sector should reflect our society [but] having worked in the sector for a long time, it doesn’t to be honest”.

“We’re making an effort to centre the stories that have been here for 80,000 years.

“One, to celebrate that community, but also to educate the public on the things they don’t know.”

According to Mr Evans, they “deliberately don’t get involved creatively at The Blue Room”, and each artist is encouraged to tell their story the way they want to tell it.

Block Party: Glimpse performer Sage Pbbbt (aka Sage J Harlow, her stage name is pronounced like “blowing a raspberry”) contributes a unique array of skills to the program, drawing on her background in throat singing, improvisational music, and an ongoing exploration with extra-normal voice to “manifest new music that’s never existed before”.

She drew on her practice of being a vocal improvisor and composer of open scores to write her experimental chamber opera work in The Blue Room Theatre’s Season 2025.

Titled O,D,E this retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice explores gender, identity, and “the world of death”, she said.

“It’s kind of a critique of people who practise meditation or magick or spirituality but get distracted by the shiny things instead of what it’s really about, liberating yourself from suffering.”

Referencing her research work into feminist, queer, and trans politics, Pbbbt said she is interested in “queering the voice”.

“I do a lot of different vocal techniques, so I think often it doesn’t particularly sound like a gendered human voice, it sounds otherworldly or demonic or weird.

“It’s all gender-neutral pronouns in the script, (they) can be played by anyone… any voice that is up for doing it, as long as they are comfortable improvising.”

The program also includes an interactive performance about the history of hip-hop and street dance by Ian de Mello and crew, and DJ’d music throughout the night by Ashyln Kaur, representing duo 2Spicii.

by ABIGAIL MARRA