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  • Supremacists active

    Supremacists active

    WHITE pride posters have popped up in Maylands and Northbridge as part of an organised city-wide propaganda campaign.

    The posters were first noticed in Fremantle bearing slogans like, “the white family is a beautiful one”.

    Bayswater councillor Catherine Ehrhardt let us know they’d been spotted in Maylands too, with one of them imploring people to “love white culture”.

    • White pride posters have popped up across Perth.

    One poster featured a young white boy playing cricket with the phrase “take care of our boys”.

    It’s reminiscent of the white supremacist doctrine of the 14 words: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children”.

    Cr Ehrhardt says police told her that given the locations of the posters they suspect the  culprits are using the train line to get around.

    “This isn’t the Maylands that we know,” Cr Ehrhardt said, “and Maylands won’t tolerate this type of exclusionary behaviour.

    • White pride posters have popped up across Perth.

    “We have a strong and inclusive multicultural society.

    “We are proud of our community; not a skin colour.”

    The posters feature cloyingly sentimental 1940s-style propaganda, re-imagined with white pride phrases.

    The Voice has also seen more explicit stickers, in a different style, around Fremantle, including one on Pakenham Street that suggests if a woman sees a man verbally abusing Muslims in public, the appropriate action is to reward the bigot with sex.

    by DAVID BELL

  • Body found in Kings Park

    Body found in Kings Park

    A BODY found in Kings Park around 9.30pm on Monday night is believed to be missing man Dino Hadzic (right).

    For the past two weeks posters across Perth and widely-shared social media posts have urged people to report any sighting of the 32-year-old, who’s been missing since the morning of April 10 when he left an office on St Georges Terrace and didn’t return to his Claremont home.

    At least one of those posters was in Kings Park.

    Police say his family has been informed.

    At the time of going to print he was yet to be formally identified.

    The death isn’t being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

  • LETTERS 29.4.17

    LETTERS 29.4.17

    Detention for Mr Hughes
    JOHN HUGHES’ letter (“Modern life is rubbish,” Voice, April 8, 2017) berates Perth Modern School students in terms I find quite shocking.
    His rant is directed at children from 11 to 17 years of age.
    Why, Mr Hughes (supposing that anyone takes you seriously) do you set out to undermine their sense of self-worth at such a critical stage of life?
    That word ‘elite’ means just that; the most gifted members of a community.
    These young people with their outstanding intellects are our treasure, our potential leaders, researchers, writers, inventors.
    Their talents must be given every encouragement to flower, in the interests of us all.
    Selection for entry to Perth Modern School is and always was fair and impersonal.
    To declare otherwise is uninformed and insulting.
    Finally, Mr Hughes, you fail to state what it is that you think they should ‘suck up’ and what it is they are being urged to ‘do as your (sic) told’.
    J Donnellan
    Salisbury St, Leederville

    Wider scrutiny needed
    BRAVO.
    Yet take care.
    You’re in danger of encouraging such as myself.
    Also in urgent need of media scrutiny: a group of witless wonders relentless in their united efforts over a couple of years to sabotage the image of our capital city.
    This by now an envied global image built over a decade by a team of painstaking city councillors that’s dedicated to the prosperity of our city and state.
    Toodle-oo,
    Ron Willis
    First Ave, Mt Lawley

    Humane values
    WHY do we find it too difficult to define our humane Australian values?
    Our modern Australian values are secular and against draconian and middle age values of religions.
    Christianity often proudly but falsely takes credit for this.
    We accept social and responsible alcohol consumption, equality of genders, sexual orientation, and we treat children born out of wedlock and children raised by a single parent or by gay parents as “normal”.
    We accept de-facto relationships and we don’t condemn sex out of marriage.
    We give freedom of religion as long as it doesn’t break our secular and humane laws.
    We leave it to women to decide when abortion is unfortunately required.
    We don’t accept bigamy, female genital mutilation, child marriage or beating of wives.
    We give freedom of speech and a platform to speak out against evil ideologies.
    It’s no secret that some fundamentalist Jews and Christians, and unfortunately most Muslims, cannot comply with our Australian values as mentioned above. We accept multiculturalism as long as it doesn’t contravene our values and hard earned secularism and freedom.
    Alex Mulla
    Smith St, Highgate

    Multicultural benefits
    IT is good to know that the Australian government is planning to tighten the requirements for Australian citizenship.
    The new requirements may include a stand-alone English test and a commitment to embrace Australian values.
    Australian history is living testimony to the hard work and sacrifices of migrants from all over the world.
    Surely some of them could not speak English very well, but they had the much needed skills to build Australia.
    Afghan cameleers played a great role in exploring and mapping the northern outback and rural Australia.
    They were key to infrastructure projects.
    Lebanese settlements established restaurants, retail and warehousing businesses.
    Indians, Pacific Islanders, and Chinese supported the gold rush, sugar and banana industries.
    Italians, Greeks, Poles, Maltese, Russians and French settlers established the wine industry.
    I fully appreciate and understand the needs for speaking english, but making it mandatory would lead us back to White Australia Policy.
    Let’s remember diversity is our biggest strength and a key factor in our great success.
    Usaman Mahmood
    Sandalwood drive
    South Bowenfels
    NSW

  • Tragic infanticide

    Tragic infanticide

    MOTHERS who killed their children in the early days of the colony is the heart-breaking subject matter of The Spaces Between Us.

    Based on PhD research by ECU’s Amanda Gardiner, the art exhibition focuses on 55 cases of infanticide between 1829 and 1901.

    Archival records showed themes of fear and shame during the deeply conservative period, with strong similarities between the cases.

    • Dr Amanda Gardiner. Photo by Sarah Mills

    A lot of the women were victims themselves, abused or assaulted by more powerful men and left with few options when they discovered they were pregnant.

    “Many of the women were not literate and these cases often occurred within narratives of secrecy and abuse of power, compounded by experiences of sexual trauma,” Dr Gardiner says.

    “Because of this, their crimes have been submerged under fear and shame. The taboo nature of this subject and our emotional response to such death and suffering, combined with a lack of information, can lead to a simplified understanding of the lived experience of these women.”

    Women who became pregnant outside of marriage in the Victorian-era colony — often victims of abuse themselves — had few options.

    Some gave birth in secret, and killed and buried their baby.

    • Simon Gilby’s Eutaxia. Photo by Stephanie Lloyd Smith

    For The Spaces Between Us, Dr Gardiner worked with six WA artists who interpreted the research in the form of sculptures, paintings and sound.

    Artist Helen Seiver says the experiences of the women hit close to home.

    In 1968, aged 18, she was unmarried and pregnant.

    “I remember what a terrible sin it was then,” she says, even a century on from many of the infanticides.

    “I was lucky enough to be in a position to have my child.

    “That experience gives me a direct connection to the women who found themselves in a similar situation when the cultural attitudes would have been even more severe.”

    Seiver created a bonnet for each of the dead babies in Gardiner’s research, using materials that related to their fleeting existence.

    • Helen Seiver’s Adding Absence. Photo by Stephanie Lloyd Smith

    “One particular woman I was interested in worked in a house not far from me,” she says.

    We went to visit that house knowing the baby had been buried under a grapevine.”

    The grapevine was still there.

    Seiver gathered the withered grape bunches, and made a bonnet for the baby.

    “Seeing the bonnets all set up together is very confronting for me. I see the bonnets with dark voids where babies faces should be.”

    The Spaces Between Us is at Gallery 25, ECU Mt Lawley until May 29.

  • ASTROLOGY April 29 – May 6, 2017

    ASTROLOGY April 29 – May 6, 2017

    ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
    If you speak up now, there is every likelihood that change will follow. There is a unique collaboration going on between Mercury, the planet of insight, and Uranus the planet of change. Your real voice will surface from a quiet place – one that has roots, depth and authority.

    TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
    Your pragmatism is likely to collide with other people’s idealism. Idealism and ideology aren’t often attuned to reality, whether they be left, right or centre. Bring your gentle practical voice to the table. Do your best not to fall into the old trap of stubbornness. Be a guiding presence.

    GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
    The Moon begins her week in Gemini, giving you access to currents of emotion that have been out of your reach for a while. Mars is in Gemini, giving you willpower and initiative. Mercury is in Aries, aligning beautifully with Saturn and giving you the capacity to drive change wisely.

    CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
    As winter comes and the Moon waxes, it’s time to focus on having solid foundations. Know what your resources are. Communicate well with those you care about. This will give you powerful social resources that will protect you from the fragility of isolation. Fly high with new ideas.

    LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
    As the North Node of the Moon moves into Leo, so you will begin to get a positive sense of the road ahead. Where your vision has been a bit bogged down and dim, clarity rises. There is a powerful connection going on between Saturn and Mercury. Your patience will bear fruit.

    VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
    As the cooler weather moves in, so it’s time to rug up and bring yourself closer to whatever, or whoever it is, that nurtures and nourishes your emotional centre. If there are old stories floating around related to difficulties in this department, they will surface so you can heal them.

    LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
    There is a lovely harmony coming from the spheres, at the beginning of the week, which makes you feel like life is finally behaving as you know it’s ultimately meant to. It’s in these harmonious moments that you feel relaxed enough to imagine possibility. Open up your bag of talents.

    SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
    The Taurus Sun continues to pull you out of the complexity of your emotions and present you with the simple affection that is available all around you. When looking under the surface for hidden motives turns into a game of endless projection, it’s time to recalibrate. Let the love in.

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
    Though there are still some rather confusing, deep currents flowing through your spirit, there are enough positives in the air that you will be easily able to keep your tail up. Letting go of old stories is proving to be effortless and invigorating. This is a great moment for innovative start-ups.

    CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
    It’s not easy balancing the desire to expand harmoniously, with that impatient desire to act impulsively, that is running around in your belly. If you wait too long to move, the harmony will go. If you jump too soon, it will all turn to chaos. Be totally alert and totally on your game.

    AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
    The South Node of the Moon is moving into Aquarius. This means that life is about to slowly present you with a selection of old patterns that are no longer serving your best interests – and offer you the option of letting them go. The cosmos is inviting you to expand and to fly high.

    PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
    The week gets off to a wobbly start, as the Gemini Moon forces you to overthink things and slip into a whirligig of self-doubt. The good thing is that it doesn’t last. In fact it’s a very brief wobble. Soon you will be back in touch with your creativity and full of ideas well worth following.

  • Perth charmer

    Perth charmer

    THE first time I saw this North Perth home, built in 1935, I was instantly taken by the classic charm of its red-tiled roof, cream exterior and green, stainless steel fencing.

    It blends in perfectly with Mabel Street, which is tree-lined and dominated by classic homes, most of which look like time left them alone.

    One of the big pluses of this two-bedroom home is location: it’s situated less than five minutes from the freeway, and less than 10 minutes from the Perth CBD and the bustling nightlife in Leederville and Northbridge.

    The green-titled block is 277 square metres, making it easy to maintain, and is ideal for two to three people to live in.

    Classic features

    The interior has many classic features — there’s the beautiful jarrah floorboards, stained glass windows, ornate white ceiling, open fireplace in the main living area and a bay window in the main bedroom.

    The amenities are good for a home of this size and it has two car ports protected by the perimeter gate, two living areas, bedrooms with built-in-robes, a contemporary kitchen with a stove, dishwasher and cupboard, and a laundry that has access to the backyard.

    For added convenience, there is also air conditioning and automated reticulation.

    If you’re the kind of person that likes things compact and easy, then it’s definitely a home worth looking at.

    by JASON TITHERADGE

    67 Mabel Street, North Perth
    Offers from $760,000
    Steven Voros
    0419 915 125
    steven@abelmcgrath.com.au
    Abel McGrath Leederville
    9208 1900

  • Gift ideas for Mum on her special day.

    Gift ideas for Mum on her special day.

    Do Mothers Day in Style
    This Mother’s Day, transport mum back to the elegance of a bygone era, and treat her to a high tea at Chapels on Whatley. Upon arrival, you will be served a glass of champagne or iced tea, before indulging in a sumptuous array of sweet and savoury items served on Royal Doulton and Wedgwood fine bone china. Plus you’ll be able to sample as many teas as you like from Chapels French and British blends.
    The world-renowned violinist duo ‘Arco’ will also serenade you over half an hour during your high tea experience.
    All this for just $65 pp.
    If mum’s an early riser, then book in for Chapels champagne breakfast for $39 pp, or the special lunch offer for just $55 pp. Whatever option you choose, mum is sure to be impressed, as Mother’s Day at Chapels is a unique experience. Bookings are essential, seating is limited. For enquiries and bookings please phone 9272 7738 or email: bookings@chapelsonwhatley.com.au
    Chapels on Whatley
    196 Whatley Crescent Maylands 
    (opp. train station)
    http://www.chapelsonwhatley.com.au

    A Touch of Eden
    Ramon’s at Willow Pond is one of Perth’s premier venues for all occasions. Set within 2.2 hectares of magnificent Japanese-themed gardens, surrounding a large lake and cascading waterfall, Ramon’s is a popular choice for outdoor weddings, birthday parties, seminars, anniversaries, school graduations, fundraising events, funerals and wakes. With three beautiful function rooms to choose from, Ramon’s has something to suit all tastes and budgets. The experienced and friendly team will help make your special event truly memorable.
    Ramon’s fully licensed restaurant is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Current special offers for Seniors Card holders include a 2 course meal (main & dessert) with tea or coffee from just $22 per person, available for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner Tuesday to Friday. Throughout the year, Ramon’s holds special themed events, such as a murder mystery dinner, ABBA tribute show and bridal expo. Ramon’s is taking restaurant bookings for Mother’s Day. For more information, please visit the website.
    Ramon’s at Willow Pond
    Restaurant 9456 1362
    Functions 9455 1187
    http://www.willowpond.com.au

    Books make a fantastic gift for Mum
    Tracy Farr’s debut novel, The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt, was shortlisted for the Barbara Jefferis Award and longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award. Her new novel, The Hope Fault, is about extended family: about exes and steps and fairy godmothers; about parents and partners who are missing, and the people who replace them.
    “In New Zealand, the word whānau means extended family, and that includes friends who may not have any formal kinship ties. The closest I can come in the Australian sense is mob. I’m a big fan of mess, in life and fiction, and I’ve always been interested in the non-linear aspects of families.
    Some of our most important and supportive relationships are with close family friends, like aunties who aren’t related by blood or marriage; and links with ex-partners often remain important long after the relationship is over. My own family has a lot of this sort of complexity, and I see it in other people’s lives, too. So, right from the start
    I was interested in reflecting this in the novel,” Farr says.
    As well as celebrating the rich and happy messiness of these strong connections, Farr was also interested in going a little deeper and darker. The novel explores some of the complex elements of family that get hidden, forgotten, misreported, or otherwise remain untold. These elements are in essence fault lines – the slow geological shifts that lie beneath every family.
    The Hope Fault is available from all local booksellers and online at Fremantle Press.
    http://www.fremantlepress.com.au

  • Doggy vogue

    Doggy vogue

    THE Mount Hawthorn Streets and Lanes Festival is back on for Sunday May 7, and it’s reviving the ridiculously popular dog show.

    It’s the third MHSLF put on by the local traders collective Mount Hawthorn Hub and a bulk of the funding is from Vincent council.

    Last year 55,000 people come down to the street for food, tunes and the stalls.

    And the Beaufort Street Festival may be over but Perth MP John Carey says his favourite event — the dog show — will live on, presenting the cutest and weirdest dogs Perth people have to offer.

    • Mount Hawthorn locals and Perth MP John Carey love their doggies. Photo by Steve Grant

    “I founded the dog show at the Beaufort Street festival, it went for six years and it was an incredibly popular feature that the community really embraced,” he says.

    “People loved it.

    “Inner city Perth has one of the highest rates of dog ownership — it’s incredible when you go to the local parks and see the communities based around dogs.”

    He and his own doggo Chewie are back to judge it again this year.

    mounthawthornstreetsandlanes.com.au to enter your pupper.

  • Blackout probe thwarted

    Blackout probe thwarted

    AN attempt to uncover why Perth council’s media staff have stopped responding to The Perth Voice has been shot down by lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi and councillors Keith Yong, Lily Chen and Judy McEvoy.

    The Voice has gone 18 months without getting a meaningful response to our questions.

    At Tuesday’s council meeting, Cr Reece Harley raised a motion requesting that council CEO Martin Mileham investigate the media blackout with the Voice and Post Newspapers.

    “I don’t think it’s good enough that journalists are just never being responded to … it’s simply not good enough, it’s a disgrace from my point of view,” Cr Harley said.

    He said providing the media with answers “enables them to be able to provide better balanced coverage because they hear both sides of the story.”

    Cr Harley said he’d tried numerous times to resolve the blackout through discussions and emails with Mr Mileham and media department manager Annaliese Battista, but still our questions went unanswered.

    Mr Mileham and Ms Battista have now agreed to meet with the Voice to discuss the non-response on May 2.

    Cr McEvoy suggested we weren’t getting responses due to the tone of our coverage: “Anything I’ve ever had in the Voice has been totally negative, never a positive thing.”

    Mrs Scaffidi was more vague, making references to how the media used to follow the Press Council principles, before voting against the motion to uncover why responses weren’t being given.

    Cr Harley said “simply because a journalist [writes] a critical article is not a reason to not respond to their queries.

    “Perhaps if you’re a private company, but we are a tier of government”.

    Cr Jemma Green and James Limnios backed him but he didn’t have the numbers to carry the vote.

    Cr Limnios sad “I believe we should be dealing with [all media outlets] equally.”

    by DAVID BELL

  • Ask and you…

    Ask and you…

    OVER 50 ideas on how to spend Vincent council’s budget have been submitted by the community this year.

    Ideas ranged from a dog playground to a request to commemorate the 1933 secessionist movement.

    It’s the second year Vincent’s let locals put forward ideas in a simple way, and it’s led to 15-fold increase in the number of submissions.

    Mayor Emma Cole says “it’s been really successful: we’ve funded a lot of the initiatives from last year and we’ve seen many of those in place now.

    • Emma Cole at Menzies Park, where a simple request for a netball hoop in last year’s budget gave locals like Maddie Irish and Maia Hoffmann somewhere to play. Photo by Steve Grant

    Progress

    “Some of them are a work in progress, but there was a really fantastic hit rate with our submissions last year, it resulted in some really tangible outcomes and it encourages people to participate.”

    Ideas which came to fruition included installing a netball hoop at Menzies Park and upgrading Forrest Park Playground, and there’s plans for new public toilets at Braithwaite Park.

    Ms Cole says “people seem to have embraced the priorities that council has put forward, there’s been a lot of [ideas for] open space and pedestrian safety,” two of the big priorities set by council.

    “We’ve had requests for fenced dog areas, a dog playground … we have a request for an arts hub, a request to celebrate our Beatty Park and Litis Stadium heritage.”

    And it turned out the idea to commemorate the 1933 secessionist attempt was a hook from someone wanting to bring a festival of ideas to Vincent.

    The next stage is for admin staff to go over the proposals in detail and make recommendations about which ones they support, then councillors will make the final call come budget time in the mid-year.

    by DAVID BELL