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  • LETTERS 18.11.17

    LETTERS 18.11.17

    Ho Ho Hum
    THE City of Perth’s decision to axe its traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony because of crowd safety is a joke.
    The main reason our Christmas traditions are been axed is to please the non-Christian’s Muslim minority group who might feel offended with our traditions.
    I am offended that our traditions are been axed and our young children of Perth can’t see the exciting display of lights that is and should always be part of Perth at this time of the year and every year.
    Singapore (a Muslim country) has a Christmas light display all year round.
    City of Perth are using the excuse that the safety of 10,000 people is an issue.
    If that’s the best excuse the City of Perth can come up with for axing Christmas, then they are kidding themselves and the people of West Australia.
    Perth have had bigger crowds before in and around Perth (like footy season) and it’s never been a concern for the City of Perth.
    Maybe the more than 10,000 people who work in and around the Perth CBD is a safety issue for City of Perth too?
    There has been billions of taxpayers dollars spent around Perth with various open areas upgraded; surely there is another place suitable if Forrest (Place) Chase isn’t.
    Acting mayor Jemma Green please come clean for the real reason?
    It’s because you don’t want to offend minority Muslim groups!
    Yes I said it!
    Steven Cruden
    Witts Lane, Kwinana Town Centre

    Gold tax
    I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Ron McLean’s thoughts on the need for the state government to continue to stare down the challenge of increasing the royalties payable on our exhaustible natural resources (“Tax Goldfinger”, Speaker’s Corner, Voice, November 4, 2017).
    I don’t however have as much faith in the “man in the street” turning his wrath upon those who opposed such royalty increases, in the event the Labor government instead taps “him” for more revenue.
    Much like the mining tax, failed in its design or not, again we’ve seen how the emotional, short-termist, self-interested voting populace is readily manipulated and mobilised by the mining lobby groups the moment they cry poor and threaten jobs.
    It is truly baffling how we can so easily ignore the burgeoning wealth of the mining companies and their leaders, so often flashed in our collective faces, and instead believe that a small increase in the taxes they pay to the people of Western Australia for the privilege of pillaging our dirt is going to bring on an unemployment apocalypse in the suburbs.
    Perhaps a few jobs have to go in order for the the state government to be able to invest more money into other programs that will support (dare I say it) “jobs and growth” that will carry us into our inevitable resource-less future. At this point I look to those incredible Norwegians and their $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund, supported largely by their up-to 75 per cent tax rate for oil companies drilling in the North Sea.
    How does 46 weeks of parental leave at 100 per cent pay sound?
    Well, we need to be prepared to embrace a few short-term hits for such society-wide benefits.
    These hits we just don’t seem to have the collective resolve to absorb though.
    So unfortunately no, I don’t think street-man is going to create any sort of pressure on the dissenting Liberals in the upper house, because he and a vast number of his fellow street-folk, in their poorly-engaged condition, believe a royalty increase is a bad thing.
    A pessimist might say that the ongoing degeneration of political discourse and the populace’s unwillingness to inform themselves will see us entrenched in this state of decline for some time yet.
    Scott Gibbings
    Charles Street, North Perth

    Human rights
    OUR federal government punishes refugees.
    We only need to consider Australia’s Regional ‘Processing’ Centre in Nauru, labelled by Amnesty International: Australia’s  ‘Island of Despair’, or look at what has happened on Manus Island to see how it punishes.
    Do the words in our national anthem ‘for those who’ve come across the seas we’ve boundless plains to share’ have meaning anymore?
    Does Australia really deserve its new seat on the UN Human Rights Council?
    The federal government’s current policy around refugees can no longer be sustained, it is found morally wanting.
    Sasha Todhunter
    Aatavia Avenue, Wannanup

    Congratulations, Scott Gibbings! You’ve won our letter of the week competition and a $50 lunch voucher from The Terrace Hotel Restaurant, 237 St Georges Terrace. If you would like to be in the running for letter of the week, make sure you email us your ripper at news@perthvoice.com.

  • No more heroes

    No more heroes

    IN the wake of several showbiz figures being accused of sexual assault and harassment, this week the New York Times revealed allegations comedian Louis CK disrobed and masturbated in front of women, who felt paralysed because of his sway in the industry — allegations he’s admitted. In this week’s SPEAKER’S CORNER, Voice cartoonist JASON CHATFIELD, a long-time fan of Mr CK, writes about the fall of his heroes.

    WHY my ever-crumbling Pantheon was an unrealistic folly to begin with.

    I grew up far away from everything.

    The only things I knew about the world were from books, the radio, movies and TV.

    These far-away lands with far away people doing amazing things.

    As a result, I would see these people as somewhat superhuman.

    I imbued them with a sense of power and awe that was previous only reserved for the characters in my comic books.

    Comedic legends for whom I had limitless admiration — so I thought.

    I grew up watching Rolf Harris — not just a comedian and entertainer but a cartoonist, too! What a role model.

    I followed his whole career.

    He was the one of the most famous, lauded and recognisable Australians of the 20th century.

    We went on to become friends and he eventually began to mentor me.

    It was a huge privilege.

    They said, ‘Never meet your heroes’—but here I was being taught by mine.

    I would go to visit him in London. We’d sit in his studio and he’d show me how to paint.

    • A precious moment with Rolf Harris now has a sour taste for Chatfield.

    Unforgettable

    I took this photo above one afternoon at his place. It was an unforgettable day.

    We would hang out whenever he was back in Australia. He taught me to paint via correspondence.

    He taught me about performing. We would write letters back and forth, and eventually email regularly. About art, comedy—everything.

    My family would sit around on holidays listening to Bill Cosby records, all dying laughing even though we’d all heard the jokes before.

    It seemed like some kind of incredible magic trick. It made me want to learn how he was doing it.

    I listened to every album he put out, and memorised his routines. He was a giant of comedy. A hero.

    I pursued stand-up comedy in part because of this drive to find out how he did what he did.

    And, of course, there’s Louis CK.

    The comedic behemoth for whom I had so much respect.

    I was in awe of his talent — his films, his TV show and especially his stand-up.

    At one point CK was unrivalled in his ability to put out consistently funny comedy hours.

    Not since Carlin had people seen such work. He pissed off other comics as his work ethic eclipsed theirs five-fold.

    He sold out Madison Square Garden many times and would add extra shows — and sell those out too.

    He made me laugh harder than any other comedian, ever.

    Chatfield and Louis.jpeg

    I got to meet Louis CK a few times. Nothing major, just a hand shake, a hello and a quick chat.

    I saw him live about 20 times — both at big theatre venues, arenas as well as up close over a dozen times at the Comedy Cellar in New York.

    He was unapologetically brilliant. But it all changed.

    The day I was leaving Australia to fly to New York to live, the front page of every newspaper had Rolf Harris’ mugshot on it.

    He’d been convicted on several counts of child molestation and sexual misconduct.

    His alter-ego was a monster he’d hidden from everyone, including his family and friends.

    It was gut-wrenching.

    Someone I not only admired — worshipped, but knew, and called a friend.

    Thanks to Google, I got endless calls from the press for comment but gave none.

    I didn’t know what to say.

    I was shattered.

    Rolf.jpg

    At least I had Bill Cosby.

    Good old Dr. Huxtable couldn’t let me down.

    It’s 2014, I’ve already lost one hero.

    There’s now way he c—oh for f…

    Well. At least I have Louie.

    He’s so open and honest, he lives his live like an open book! Nothing could shock me about Lou—Oh, COME ON!

    Louis CK.png

    Well. This is awkward….No more heroes for me.

    I’ve come to the realisation that if you have heroes with a penis, it’s only a matter of time before you discover their second life as a sexual deviant.

    Hero-worship is a childish folly anyway.

    Imbuing anyone with any kind of superhuman capacity to be the perfect person is selfish, irrational and completely unrealistic.

    People are, for the most part, good, but every single person has flaws — some more than others.

    They say, “Never meet your heroes.” I say “Fuck having heroes. Be your own hero — and try not to fuck it up.”

  • Comedy first

    Comedy first

    A PERTH husband and wife team have spent $3 million building the first purpose-built comedy venue in the city.

    The Comedy Lounge is on Murray Street and due to open on November 23.

    John and Jane McAllister searched for an existing venue for a comedy club in Perth, but couldn’t find anything suitable.

    So they decided to build their own venue, above an existing restaurant.

    “Actors have theatres, acrobats have circus tents; comedy too is a specialised craft that is ideally presented in a certain environment and that New York cabaret-style venue people associate with stand-up, like Seinfeld, is what we’ve built for Perth,” Mr McAllister says.

    • John McAllister (centre with glasses) with Perth comedians on Murray Street Perth. Photos
    supplied

    A plasterer by trade, he switched to comedy more than a decade ago, going from part-time aspiring comic to owner of what was then the Werzel’s Comedy Lounge, and has since run a number of successful comedy nights and venues in Perth.

    There’ll be several shows a week at the new club and overseas stand-up comics are already showing interest, like the Steve Frost Improv All Stars, which includes cast members from Blackadder, The Young Ones and the original UK version of Whose Line is it Anyway?

    In a rare return to the club circuit, Peter Rowsthorn (Kath and Kim) will have audiences roaring with laughter in a number of shows in the lead-up to Christmas.

    In recent years there’s been a resurgence in stand-up comedy across the globe, which Mr McAllister puts down to an increase in the number of hotels and bars putting comedy nights back on the bill.

    Closer to home, he says Fringe World has played a huge role.

    “There was very little comedy in Perth until Fringe…an audience of a few hundred a week. Now it’s gone up,” he says.

    “In that month it runs into the hundreds of thousands.”

    • The Steve Frost Improv All Stars.

    The club will have regular “gong” segments where wannabe comics get three minutes to make you pee your pants.

    “For every 10 you gong off, four make it,” Mr McAllister says. “It doesn’t mean you’re awful forever—just at that time.

    “Everybody in this business at some stage bombs. The best-of-the-best bomb.”

    The atmosphere of a live show increases the laughter quotient, John says.

    “There’s no substitute for seeing a live act—telly will never replace that.”

    Seated at tables, punters can enjoy a drink and in-house snacks. “All finger food; we don’t want the clatter of knives and forks.”

    For a full program and tickets go to comedylounge.com.au

    by JENNY D’ANGER

  • ASTROLOGY: Nov 18 – Nov 26, 2017

    ASTROLOGY: Nov 18 – Nov 26, 2017

    ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
    As the Sun slowly makes its way out of Scorpio, so you sense light at the end of the tunnel. Issues that have been troubling you, start to feel as though they are full of creative possibility. Change is inevitable. Go with it wholeheartedly. Get the knack. You’ll come out smelling of roses.

    TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
    As you become more and more focussed on your work, so relationship issues that seemed so daunting, seem to fade away. As lessons are assimilated, so the pot goes off the boil. The Sun moves out of Scorpio and into Sagittarius at the end of the week. Shift into your next gear.

    GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
    Relationship is vital. Everything depends on it, in terms of getting by in the world. As the Sun moves into Sagittarius to join Mercury, so straight talking is the key to breakthrough. This is not a  call to be blunt or careless. Connect your words to your heart. Respect others who do so too.

    CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
    The New Moon falls in Scorpio. This heralds a time of emotional renewal. Perhaps you will find yourself realising that for everything that falls away, something incredible and new arises in its place; providing you are open to seeing it. Life is regenerative. Open your eyes and your heart.

    LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
    Though the Sun moves into Sagittarius later in the week, you aren’t quite out of the woods yet. Venus and Jupiter are still in Scorpio. Life is conspiring to make sure you remember that you are really conscious you are alive. So many moments pass without this remembrance. Wake up.

    VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22
    When you are operating at your optimum, you are able to see through complication and find simple solutions. This is a fantastic talent. It’s easy to take it for granted. Common sense is often way too rare. Others are twigging that you can do this, which will land you greater responsibility.

    LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
    Mars is sitting right on the pivot of your scales. You are holding a particularly delicate balance. By holding your own reactivity in check with self-love and understanding, so you hold other people’s reactivity in check too. The new Moon will bring you a new sense of imminent possibilities.

    SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
    The Sun leaves Scorpio later in the week. There’s less existential focus coming your way. This gives you a sense of relaxation and relief. Your feelings will prove to be correct as usual. It’s tough being ahead of the pack, with others saying you are wrong, before they get it that you’re right.

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
    The Sun will move into Sagittarius later in the week. First there will be a new Moon. A new Moon feels like the awakening of a fresh bud. The shell of a seed has to fall apart before a bud can surface in the light. Any difficulties you have been through have left you wide open and tender.

    CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
    Though the last few weeks have been a little tricky to navigate, where fear hasn’t won the day, there has been a general increase in openness and transparency. Where there is less fear and more transparency, responsibility is shared – and more gets done. Store yourself some acorns.

    AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
    You are being invited to take time to visit that place inside that you call home. Emotional rejuvenation is in order. There’s been a lot going on. It’s time to bring those excitement/anxiety levels down. You know what relaxes you. You know your way to solution. Let it come on in.

    PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
    There is plenty of action coming your way from the magical, emotional world of Scorpio. Scorpio represents that part of us that is looking for experiences that are more than logic can comprehend; hence the Scorpio reputation for intensity. You understand. Let life in. Immerse yourself.

  • Art Deco delight

    Art Deco delight

    BUILT in 1937 the circular walls of this Coolbinia home are reminiscent of a ship’s prow—an architectural style from 30s America that’s rare to find in WA.

    The owner’s parents built the home, and she was born there, and this is the first time it has been on the market.

    Built 80 years ago in Adair Parade, the house has barely been altered, and there are original features like streamlined art deco ceilings, fireplaces, and jarrah floors hidden under carpet for decades.

    The four-bedroom abode was clearly designed for entertaining and the ground floor lounge is a massive space, dominated by the curve of the windows.

    The adjacent dining room is equally large, with a hatch to the kitchen.

    The built-in-sideboard was probably a later addition judging by the sleek retro-60s look.

    One of the door panels was hand painted by an Israeli artist, with a depiction of a Tel Aviv street scene.

    The kitchen is large, but showing its age and in need of bringing into the 21st century.

    Two of the bedrooms, one with its own sitting room are on the ground floor, and the main bedroom is on the second.

    Sitting above the lounge room, it too has a sweep of curved windows that make the space appear even larger than it is.

    A curved timber bookshelf, a dressing table and wardrobe, with a built-in radio, were created to fit the room and can stay.

    I’d be turning the study/nursery next door into an en suite, making this a great parents’ retreat, complete with a spacious terrace balcony.

    Sitting on a 910sqm corner block the garden is huge, and like the home, awaiting some TLC to turn it into an oasis.

    The original outdoor laundry would make a stylish studio, or perhaps a cabana for a new pool.

    This grand old dame is just waiting for new owners to return it to its former glory.

    by JENNY D’ANGER

    38 Adair Parade, Coolbinia
    $1.199 million – $1.299
    Pam Herron
    0413 610 660
    Jon Adams
    0413 610 662
    Beaufort Realty
    9227 0887

  • WHAT MAKES A GREAT KITCHEN?

    WHAT MAKES A GREAT KITCHEN?

    For over 20 years, the name Joyce Kitchens has been synonymous with stylish, well designed, quality custom built kitchens and cabinets here in Perth and country WA.

    Joyce Kitchens specialise in individually designed, Australian manufactured, locally installed kitchens. They also design and manufacture custom cabinetry for home, office and industrial spaces.

    “As kitchen renovation specialists, we understand that your kitchen is the heart of your home; it’s a place to socialise as well as prepare meals and deal with all that family life throws at you,” says Emma Hayes, Sales Manager.  “Our highly trained design consultants and craftsmen are proud to represent a long standing brand within the Perth kitchen renovations and cabinet making industry.”

    Meet two of the people who make Joyce and your kitchen shine…

    How did you start designing kitchens?
    From an early age, I have always had a passion for art and design. In the UK I studied a Bachelor of Arts in 3-dimensional design specialising in furniture design. My first job out of university was working for a small manufacturer in my local town where we designed and manufactured bespoke and funky restaurant, bar, shop fitouts, high end contemporary domestic joinery and a range of café chairs, tables and lighting.

    After a few years I decided it was time to travel and see the world. So I spent the next 12 months backpacking and absorbing design influences around the globe. Australia was my final destination on the list and being a keen windsurfer, I fell in love with the Fremantle doctor and WA’s beautiful coastline. Fast forward 19 years later and I’m still here!

    SIMON COX Senior Design Consultant
    Joyce Kitchens Osborne Park

    My first professional kitchen design job in WA was in 1999, while I was working for Joyce Kitchens as a technical adviser, measuring and drafting their kitchens for production. I had a wonderful experience working in this position, which built a strong technical foundation for kitchen design. I continued to pursue my passion, going on to work for a number of high end kitchen manufacturers in Perth and Adelaide, receiving many HIA kitchen design awards.

    Joyce Kitchens is a custom kitchen manufacturer that uses only the highest quality materials and offers the best service in Perth. Having had such a fantastic experience with my first employment with Joyce, it was an easy decision to work with Joyce again. Many of my colleagues are the original staff, plumbers, electricians, tilers and builders that I worked with back in 1999. It feels like home to me.

    I am thoroughly enjoying my current role as a senior design and sales consultant. As a custom manufacturer, Joyce offers the freedom and flexibility with manufacture I enjoy as a creative designer. One of my most recent projects has been the design of our spectacular, newly refurbished kitchen showroom in Osborne Park. All kitchens showcase the latest state-of-the-art materials and hardware.

    Joyce Kitchens clients are spoilt for choice. We have an extensive number of styles and layouts, ranging from contemporary clean lines to a more homely traditional kitchen.

    So how did you get started as a Kitchen Designer?
    I actually started by accident.   I wanted to build again (I built my first home at 21).  After traipsing through almost every show home in Perth, I found the one thing they all lacked was functional and practical layouts, especially the kitchens, so I decided I would design my own home.  I discovered that I was pretty good at it and have since designed and built four more times.  I progressed to assisting developers in designing multiple units and then started my own business with this.  I was involved in every aspect of the process; from actual design right down to window treatments, flooring, landscaping and even ordering reticulation and on occasions getting out there myself and labouring with the tradies!   Then one day, a friend asked me to take a look at her kitchen and come up with some ideas.  That was when I realised kitchens were for me!  I loved the whole process, even when I was trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, I made it fit and the excitement it gave my friend was worth bottling.  I have never looked back, this is my passion.

     What do you love about Designing Kitchens?
    I love that it is so challenging and rewarding at the same time.  Every home I walk into is different and every client’s lifestyle is equally unique.  The best part for me is their response to the final outcome (just like my friend).  There is no better feeling than knowing I have helped make someone’s life more pleasurable!

    Libby Wightman, Senior Design Consultant
    Joyce Kitchens Booragoon

    What are your favourite trends in Kitchens at the moment?
    I don’t have a favourite trend because I find myself swinging between the old and the new and loving each of them. I have been doing this for so many years, but one thing I am always conscious of is paying attention to what the customer is asking for.  That is paramount!  Even if it makes no sense and is not to my taste or liking, too bad.  If it is actually going to work well for the customer, I am more than happy to give them polka dot doors with gingham benchtops.

    How long have you been with Joyce Kitchens – and why?
    I have been with Joyce Kitchens for almost 5 years….that is the longest I have ever stayed with a company.  Not because I am fickle, but because I believe in integrity and honesty when working in a sales environment and I have found over the years that it is sadly lacking in our economic world. Not so with Joyce.  They have an amazing reputation. We are more like a family than a group of employees and the support from our production team is second to none.  Everyone genuinely cares. I design each and every kitchen as if they were my own.  At the end of the day, all I want to do is deliver perfect kitchens to my clients.  And so does Joyce.

    Phone now for an obligation free in-house design and quote.
    Visit one of the Joyce Kitchens Showrooms open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday or call today.

    NEW Osborne Park Showroom
    Phone: 6162 3018
    Unit 5 / 1 King Edward St

    Cannington Showroom
    Phone: 9258 3130
    Unit 3 / 1397 Albany Hwy

    Booragoon Showroom
    Phone: 9317 7833
    Unit 2 / 492 Marmion St

  • Free Long table Christmas dinner

    Free Long table Christmas dinner

    If you missed out on tickets for the Freo Long Table don’t worry. You can still come down to High Street for fabulous entertainment, late night shopping and even free gelato!

    It’s the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your festive shopping, while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

    There’ll be circus acts, fire-eaters and live music from the famous Soukouss Internationale and WASAMBA, hosted by sassy comedienne Famous Sharron.

    There’ll also be a silent auction packed with terrific prizes including holidays, hampers and artwork…anyone can bid so head to http://www.fremantlelongtable.com.au to participate.  All proceeds from the auction go directly to St. Pat’s to help people in need.

    High Street will become one long dinner table with the sidewalks open to the general public.  Last year there was dancing in the streets – who knows what fun will break out in 2017!

    Thursday 30th November
    from 6pm on High Street
    #freolongtable

  • Freo’s big night

    Freo’s big night

    LAST year there was dancing in the street…what will this year hold?

    High Street will be filled with 800 diners on November 30 for the Fremantle Long Table Dinner.

    The dinner is the brainchild of the National Hotel’s Karl Bullers and the Fremantle Business Improvement District, who wanted to create a special event in support of St Patrick’s Community Support Centre.

    St Pat’s is Freo’s leading support organisation for homeless and vulnerable people in the greater Fremantle area.

    The street will be closed to traffic all evening and there will be circus acts, fire-eaters, live music and even a visit from Santa!

    A very, very long table will stretch down High Street with diners treated to a festive three-course meal with wine and beer included.

    “The atmosphere last year was really incredible,” said Bullers.

    “This year we’ve really ramped things up with more entertainment, more music and a fantastic sound system.  It’s going to be a very special evening.”

    With tickets selling out in hours, there’s already talk that next year might see the event extended beneath the Roundhouse onto the beach.

    “I don’t know about that,” laughed Bullers.

    “But we were really thrilled with the support from the community. We sold 500 tickets in under five hours!”

    An online auction, a raffle and a live auction will round off the evening.  “Everyone can participate in the online auction, even if they don’t have a ticket,” said Bullers.

    “There are incredible prizes up for grabs and all proceeds go directly to St Pat’s.”

  • Selfless helpers

    Selfless helpers

    MORE than 100 people have volunteered to help at this year’s Long Table Dinner.

    Whether it’s waitstaff, kitchen-hands, or muscle to set up the tables, there’s a whole host of willing bodies ready to do their part to support St Pat’s major annual fundraiser.

    “We have had an overwhelming response,” said St Pat’s Volunteer Coordinator Melanie Watkins. We were just blown away when our 800 tickets sold out in a matter of hours…and then we’ve had so many people contact us, wanting to donate their time.”

    Last year the dinner raised over $20,000 for the disadvantaged in the greater Fremantle area.

    It’s hoped that this year’s total will exceed that figure substantially.

    “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said St Pat’s CEO Steve McDermott. “We are so grateful to the National Hotel and the Fremantle Business Improvement District for their invaluable support.

    “It’s fantastic to see businesses coming together to support our community’s most vulnerable people.”

    For his part, volunteer Ludo Place is thrilled to be involved.

    “It’s such a great event, being part of it is a real buzz,” said Ludo whose day job involves managing The Blue Duck café in Cottesloe.

    Ludo also volunteers at St Pat’s Rack and its op shop on Adelaide Street.

    “I love the feeling of the evening—everyone is so excited, it’s so festive, but there’s also the special feeling of coming together to support people who are not as fortunate.  It’s a unique way to give back.”

    St Pat’s staff says they have enough volunteers for the evening, but if people would like to contribute, they can donate prizes for raffles and the online auction on the night.

    “We’re looking for gifts large and small,” said Melanie Watkins. Whether it’s a stay in a holiday home or items that could be popped into a hamper…we’d love to hear from you!

    “With 800 people attending the event, it’s a great chance to get your name out there.”

    Melanie can be contacted at mwatkins@stpats.com.au

    ———————

    valued sponsors
    The Long Table Christmas Dinner wouldn’t happen without the generous support of these valued sponsors

    Platinum sponsors
    PAV, Austal, Leeuwin Estate

    Gold sponsors
    Advance Care, MiCasa Property Boutique,
    Compass by Mirvac, Bendigo Bank,
    Alsco Linen, Kailis Seafood.

    Major donors
    City of Fremantle, Ford and Doonan,
    LF Publishing, Hire Society

  • High stakes

    High stakes

    A PASTOR and a mental health worker protesting in a makeshift tent suspended four storeys above Julie Bishop’s Subiaco office on Wednesday were arrested and have been charged with trespass.

    Jarrod McKenna and Delroy Bergsma want the Australian foreign affairs minister to immediately evacuate about 600 men on Manus Island who have been without food, water, medical attention or electricity since the federal government withdrew support on October 31.

    The men, who are part of the #LoveMakesAWay movement, displayed banners reading “SOS Manus” and “Love Makes A Way for asylum seekers.”

    • Jarrod McKenna and Delroy Bergsma. Photos by Molly Schmidt

    Mr McKenna said Manus Island is in a state of emergency.

    “The lives of 600 people on Manus Island hang in the balance, their fate is in Julie Bishop’s hands,” the pastor said.

    “I would like to say to the men on Manus that you are not invisible.

    “We see you, we hear your cries and we are doing everything we can to make sure we can respond to you.”

    Former Greens senator Scott Ludlam said he strongly supported the actions of the men.

    “People don’t take measures like this unless the situation is really dire,” he said.

    “Petitions haven’t succeeded, the phone calls haven’t succeeded, and now we blockade their offices until they get those men off the island.”

    • Police abseil down the building to arrest the protestors.

    Crowds gathered on the grass below the men, including Mr Bergsma’s wife and two daughters.

    Mrs Bergsma said her family strongly supported the cause and her children had sent hand-coloured drawings to the men on Manus.

    “We think it’s worth it,” she said.

    “There are people on Manus who don’t have a voice, and I feel like they need to be represented.”

    The men were removed from the building just before midday by police officers who abseiled from the rooftop.

    The officer in charge said the men were arrested and will be charged with trespass.

    Mr McKenna received a message of gratitude from the men on Manus and said this is just the beginning of #LoveMakesAWay’s support for the refugees.

    by MOLLY SCHMIDT