Perth Voice Interactive

GOOMALLING farmer Terry Brennan had only seen three and a half movies in his life until this week, when he drove two hours to see The Irishman at The Backlot cinema in West Perth.

“In 1972 I took my wife to see The French Connection … that was the first date I took her on,” the 68-year-old told the Voice.

“I only got halfway through The French Connection, as she continuously reminds me, and I fell asleep.

“We’re still married – I don’t know how,” he chuckles.

Overacting

The next year he saw The Poseidon Adventure, and continued with a nautical disaster after a hiatus of 24-odd years when Titanic was released.

Mr Brennan thought Titanic’s lead “Decappio, or whatever his name is” did a fair job.

“Someone told me over a beer that he was also in the Wolf of Wall Street.”

That led to his fourth visit, and his first Martin Scorsese film.

He farms sheep half the year and was trying to relax ahead of the busy season. He’s not much interested in tv, only watching a bit of sport and news, but he heard a radio reviewer give The Irishman 4.5 stars.

His initial review was a bit more lukewarm.

“I gave it about a 5 out of 10. But I’m only a farmer, what do I know!

“I thought the last hour could’ve been concised into five minutes.

“The guy with the walking stick was overacting,” he says of acting great Robert De Niro’s performance in the last stretch.

Mr Brennan thought some bits were unrealistic, like an elderly woman on a walker showing some fleet footwork through an old folks home: “Usain Bolt wouldn’t keep with her,” he reckons.

But after some post-screen reading he’s revised his review to 6/10.

“I did some research on De Niro and Pacino, the actors in The Irishman; I think those guys did an excellent job, I think they acted very well, and when I found out their age I gave them another point – to remember all their lines, they did well.

Flashback

“One of them’s nearly 80 years old and one’s in his 70s. How come they look so young in the movies?”

He reckons he could use some of their digital de-ageing in flashback scenes: “I need some for my face; it’s a bit weathered from being out on the farm.”

Most of the big cinemas have refused to play The Irishman because producer Netflix would only wait four weeks between its theatre run and its online release, and The Backlot is the only place screening it in Perth.

Backlot owner Ian Hale says it’s been selling out, prompting them to add extra screenings.

by DAVID BELL

MOBILE homeless service providers will be shepherded into one car park in East Perth after the city council adopted a 12-month trial that was only run past a select few charities.

The trial at Moore Street in East Perth is part of a plan to issue permits to homeless services so their activities can be co-ordinated, and duplication and waste reduced.

About 50 providers were involved in early consultation and many supported accreditation, but restricting them to one site was conjured up by a much smaller committee chaired by Perth council commissioner Gaye McMath and Perth state Labor MP John Carey.

The committee had representatives from Perth, Vincent, South Perth, Victoria Park and Subiaco councils, the Department of Communities, WA Police, Royal Perth Hospital, and community services minister Simone McGurk. They were joined by nine larger non-profit homeless services.

If the site isn’t deemed appropriate when the other providers move in, the council will offer a back-up near City Farm.

Ron Reid from Perth Homeless Support Group hadn’t heard of the one-site-for-all, but after looking into Moore Street is willing to give it a shot.

Mr Reid says PHSG’s Sunday morning meals at Wellington Square “functions remarkably well. We have a lot of first nations people, they feel very safe there”.

Moore Street was picked out of seven shortlisted options; it has no nearby residents or businesses, is close to Tranby Centre and other services around Piccadilly Square, has toilets, power and water, and is accessible via McIver train station.

Commissioners voted to spend $144,350 preparing Moore Street at the November 26 council meeting, with money fornightly security guards, a drink fountain and lights.

The city says it not planning to fine groups that don’t use Moore Street, but will “discourage” rule breakers.

Mr Carey says it’s worth trialling one site, even for a year.

“The [site] they’ve selected is a good location, it is a safe area, it is away from residents and businesses so we don’t get that conflict, so let’s give it our best shot.”

The accreditation system is due to be finalised in December and will run 12 months from January 2020.

by DAVID BELL

A RARE bravery medal awarded to a nurse during World War II was stolen from a Dianella home on Tuesday November 12.

The British Empire Medal (military division) was awarded to Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse Fay Caplan in 1942, one of eight medals she received for her service in Australian and England and was for “bravery and devotion to duty during an enemy air attack”.

Her grandson James Fenning was given the three medals she received for her British service, all of which disappeared during the daytime heist on his Homer Street home.

Mr Fenning says few military bravery medals were awarded to women during the war, which made his grandmother’s special.

“The medals would hold little value to the thieves,” he says.

“They would be [a] few dollars worth for them but means the world to me and my family.”

Mr Fenning believes the medals were presented to his grandmother and three of her colleagues at Buckingham Palace, though the UK Government Gazette reported a few days after the ceremony that it was at St James Palace.

A newspaper article from December 2, 1942 says Ms Caplan and three other nurses “risked their lives to get patients from the wreckage of their bombed hospital”.

“Miss Caplin [sic] and Miss Wylie, who received minor injuries, worked on till every patient was moved to safety; then with others they helped to salvage valuable medical apparatus,” the article reported.

The Voice tracked down a photograph of Ms Caplan from the Government Gazette, which Mr Fenning said was the first image he’d seen of his grandmother.

Mr Fenning says police have been helpful, checking CCTV footage taking fingerprints, but he’s devastated by the loss.

“Unfortunately it has been lost in my possession and I feel angry and unfortunate I might never get it back,” he says.

“It’s unfortunate my three kids might never get to see it or be able to pass it down.”

Anyone who has any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

by CHRISTINE MIN THEIN

ONE of the eternally-empty blocks in Northbridge might finally be filled, with a 12-level hotel approved for 8 Parker Street.

Perth council’s planners are keen on the proposal as it will offer “a world class boutique hotel” opposite Russell Square and bring an end to the occasional trash blowing through the site.

But the Hellenic Community of WA is concerned construction could damage its buildings to the north.

Fragile

In a letter to Perth council planners the Hellenes warned the 1898-built Tower House is fragile.

“Unless great care is taken during any construction activity, there could be irreparable damage to this unique building,” they wrote.

The state-listed heritage building has had a $70,000 restoration in the past 18 months.

HCWA is worried earthworks for the hotel’s basement could damage Tower House and the Church of Saints Constantine and Helene across the road, and icons could fall from the walls if vibrations are strong enough.

If the development goes ahead the Hellenes want a full survey of their building before, during and after construction, and for works to be halted if any damage is detected.

The Heritage Council agrees, writing a letter to Perth council that Tower House is a “good and rare example of a two storey residence in the Victorian Italianate style” and “any damage shall be made good to the original condition”.

Perth council planners put conditions on approval requiring monitoring for any movement or vibration impacts.

The Heritage Council recommended the hotel be set back further so dwarf Tower House or the church.

Perth council planners acknowledged it was a little taller (5.6m) and the side setbacks were considerably less than what’s prescribed in the rules, but said the variations were fine since it’s a particularly narrow site and a previous approval had already okayed a smaller side setback.

Designed by Baltinas, it’ll be run under the hotel brand Tellus.

The building’s radar-defeating angles are “not intended to mimic nearby heritage buildings but rather create a distinction between new and old”.

Compatible

The colour scheme is intended to be “compatible and complementary to the earthy tones of the adjacent Tower House and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral”.

The building’s $14 million price tag means it’s just within the threshold at which council can approve it (any higher and it goes to the state government’s Development Assessment Panel) and commissioners endorsed it en bloc on November 26.

Tower House is on the state heritage list because it’s a good intact example of a boarding house that ran from 1898 to the 1930s, and “demonstrates what was considered an acceptable commercial venture or small business operation for single widowed women”.

It was bought by the Greek orthodox community and used as a rectory from 1952 until 1985, and is now a wedding venue.

by DAVID BELL

A LOCALLY produced tale of a Mount Hawthorn video store has taken out the grand prize and three other awards at the Canada Shorts film festival.

The Throwback was part of the 2019 film project organised by Vincent council and Revelation film festival and told the story of Melanie McInerney’s dedication to keeping her Network Video Mount Hawthorn store operating in the face of the online streaming revolution.

Apart from winning Canadian hearts, the film also took out best international short, was in a four-way tie for best documentary, and a two-way tie for best director for Louise Bertoncini.

The selection committee told the Voice via email The Throwback was “a beautiful documentary about a beautiful human being: Melanie McInerney loves her work as much as all the customers she encounters.

“This film isn’t just about a small business’s fight against a dying era, it’s also about kindness and how even the smallest actions can really make a difference.

“Bertoncini takes great care in the construction of this film. Her attention to detail is amazing. From the dreamy flashbacks to every perfectly selected interviewee, all cut together in perfect harmony. The director has a clear understanding of people and their emotions, which is the heart of the film.”

Bertoncini said the win came as a happy surprise, as she hadn’t realised producer Jenny Crabb had entered their film in the festival.

“I wasn’t sure how well it would travel, because it is a very local story made within the City of Vincent,” she said.

“But what I think does translate is the idea of community, the idea of doing stuff for other people… for it to work overseas is pretty exciting.

“I’m so thrilled with what they said about Mel because it is so true. She’s such a good person; I haven’t met many people that do things for other people for no reason.”

The Throwback was Bertoncini’s first shot at directing a short documentary (she’s usually a producer) and she’s now in the planning stages of something a little longer.

by DAVID BELL

ST BART’S homeless shelter wants people to donate unused gifts, treats and toiletries to its Christmas hamper appeal.

This year the not-for-profit will make up festive hampers for 350 men and 150 women who are residents or clients of its East Perth shelter.

Each hamper will contain toiletries, a Christmas gift and a food treat for the recipient.

St Bartholomew’s House was first established in 1963 at at the Rectory of St Bartholomew’s Church in Kensington Street, East Perth.

Mattresses were placed on the floor of the church hall behind the rectory and facilities were primitive.

These days the organisation provides care, support and accommodation for hundreds of people who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness.

Drop off hamper donations at St Bart’s volunteer hub, 78  Brown Street, East Perth, between December 2-14 (10am-2pm). Items should be new/unused and not gift-wrapped.

To see a list of desired items go to http://www.stbarts.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-Christmas-Hamper-Appeal.jpg