Perth Voice Interactive

FEDERAL Perth Labor MP Patrick Gorman (right) has labelled a tiny beetle as a “pandemic” for Perth trees.

In Parliament this week, Mr Gorman said the polyphagous shot-hole borer was an “enemy” that posed a massive biosecurity risk to the country.

“This invasive beetle is just two millimetres long and it’s on a rampage from Fremantle to Perth and a number of suburbs in between,” Mr Gorman said.

“Already I’m seeing in my electorate trees in people’s backyards being chopped to the ground. 

“In Hyde Park, a loved Perth park in the middle of our city, we’re looking at some hundreds of trees being removed.

“Sadly, Kings Park and its trees that have outlived the Bond Corporation, trees that were here before colour television, trees that have provided shade for family picnics for decades is also on the chopping block.”

Native species had originally been thought to have been spared the worst of the beetle, which preferred dutch elms and other exotics, but Mr Gorman noted that 28 species were now known to be susceptible.

“I’m a measured person who dislikes alarmists, but this borer beetle is a pandemic for Western Australia’s trees. And, as hard as it is, I support the actions to remove the infested trees.

“Indeed, we need the state and local governments to move as fast as possible.

“I will very happily get my chainsaw out if I need to, because without swift action, WA faces massive economic disruption.”

Mr Gorman said the beetle had cost the US state of California an estimated $15.9 billion.

But he said there was some hope, with wood movements being banned, while researchers at the University of WA and CSIRO were looking at treatment options.

He also urged Western Australians to learn to identify the beetle and report any damaged trees.

“Fast action and a community response now is the only way to ensure that Perth’s tree canopy is there for the next generation of Western Australians, and that this invasive beetle does not affect the rest of Australia,” he said.

A NEW electronic parking permit at the University of WA has some students and staff claiming they’re having to pay $15.60 for all-day parking instead of the $2 to which they are entitled.

Earlier this year, UWA introduced the EasyPark system which a spokesperson for the university says was intended to “improve and enhance parking” for patrons.

According to EasyPark’s website, it’s app “holds your hand turn-by-turn” to find available parking, allows users to start the meter running while they’re sitting in their car and only pay for the time they’re there.

Engineering student Tara Martin says the university has achieved this in some ways but a little tweaking is needed. 

“It’s kind of impossible to get a spot if you come anytime past 8.30[am],” she says.

Ms Martin says she’s lucky because her schedule means she arrives in time, as do many of her classmates, but she sees late-arrivers circling the carparks in frustration.

Qualify

Ms Martin says under the old system, students had to complete a number of units and live a certain distance away from campus to qualify for a permit.

But those requirements were relaxed under the new system, leading to a “larger volume of people trying to fit into the same amount of parking spots”.

Those who can’t find a spot then have to pay $15.60 for all-day parking in a general carpark.

After hearing complaints from its members the UWA Student Guild ran a survey between April and May and made four recommendations to the university. 

In the survey more than 90 per cent of respondents said they were late to class or an appointment because they struggled to find parking near the university. 

The recommendations included constructing a multi-storey carpark on campus; establishing a student-staff consultative committee to manage the parking system; providing refunds to students who weren’t able to utilise their permits this year; and reducing on-campus parking for visitors.

The UWA spokesperson said the university carefully considered all users’ feedback but there were currently no plans to move away from the EasyPark system.

by CINDY CARTOJANO

PORTRAITS of Freo’s skating community appeared at the world-famous Woolstores Ledge this week to celebrate the iconic skate spot which faces an unknown future.

Freo-based photographer Duncan Wright says he wanted to document the soul of the skating ledge, which runs parallel to Cantonment Street at the base of the Woolstores building. 

“Woolstores is such an iconic heritage skate spot and I think that should be celebrated,” Mr Wright said. 

“It’s a beautiful building and a real asset of Fremantle.

“There’s not many skate spots that have been around that long, which is something really significant in itself.”

The images are portraits of Woolstores’ skaters – a tribute to the community in Fremantle and worldwide – who’ve uses the Ledge to develop their skill for decades. 

“People from all around the world including top professionals have all been to Woolies because it’s such a perfect little ledge for skating,” Mr Wright said. 

“It’s a pretty special spot.” 

Mr Wright captured a plethora of Woolstores characters, including people who have been skating the Ledge for 30 years and have now started to bring their children. 

The portraits represent the ever-growing and diverse community who skate the Ledge, whether young or old, as well as an increasing number of girls and women honing their craft. 

“I guess photography for me is a way of preserving history and culture,” Mr Wright said.

The future of the Ledge is in murky territory as the Woolstores building is set to be redeveloped by property developer Hesperia. 

Mr Wright acknowledges the Woolstores need to be developed “to a point”, but hopes the Ledge is preserved as an iconic feature of not only the Freo skating community, but worldwide visitors. 

“For me, it’s about preserving cultural heritage and that identity of Fremantle, but also acknowledging that buildings need to be developed, especially Woolstores,” he said, “because if Woolstores falls down then we’ll lose everything. I just think it would be a shame if when things developed, we lose a sense of our own identity.”

Developer Hesperia said “no final decisions” had been made about the development and whether the Ledge will be saved as part of the new Woolstores building. 

“When we purchased the buildings, we were very aware that in its long vacant state some very important cultural communities were able to thrive at the space,” the company said in a statement.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER

STIRLING council has won a historic 10th gold at an award ceremony which rewards accountability and transparency.

Stirling is the only WA government to hit the 10 mark, which earned it an induction into the Australasian Reporting Awards honour roll. 

The City’s 2022/23 annual report was the first to report on its new Strategic Community Plan, Sustainable Stirling 2022-2032.

Mayor Mark Irwin said the City was proud to be recognised for excellence in such a critically important area.

“Being a leader in accountability is no small matter,” he said.

“10 golds in a row, two best in sectors in a row and inclusion in the chair’s honour roll not only means excellence but also sustained excellence, year in and year out.

“Our community rightly holds high expectations that their local governments – that level of government most close to the community – will operate professionally and report transparently on what we have delivered for our ratepayers and community.”

FLASH floods, hail and wild winds in January, a freak storm in April and a tornado smashing into Bunbury in May; it’s no surprise Sandgropers are wondering how WA Day organisers will cope with predictions of a bucketing for the first day of festivities.

After the Bureau of Meteorology posted a possibility of up to 45mm of rain tomorrow (Sunday June 2) followers started raising their unease on the event’s Facebook page. 

“With the current forecast of 10 to 45mm for this Sunday, thunderstorm included, continuing ahead is completely irresponsible which can have a lot of risk for the people,” one punter posted.

“Bring a snorkel and flippers,” another joked.

The Bureau later revised its prediction to a still-swampy 35mm, but Kristina West attended the 2023 festival as a member of the WA Music Board and said the weather was “absolute carnage”.

“The mud and water were deeper than shoes and people were slipping and falling trying to move around,” Ms West told the Voice.

“Crowds thinned and by the time the last four acts came on stage, there would have been less than 100 people remaining,” she said.

Other acts and a drone show were delayed, but Ms West says organisers should have cancelled the event once they realised how stormy it would become. 

In response to the Facebook comments, festival administrators said: “A decision will be made closer to the time and once the weather forecast is known. If it is safe to do so, we want the show to go on.”

The WA Day Festival kicks off in the parklands around Optus Stadium tomorrow at 10am (Sunday June 2) with loads of activities and a concert headlined by Guy Sebastian, and finishes on Monday with local musos Pond headlining.

by CINDY CARTOJANO

WITCHCRAFT saved my life, says 47-year-old Nikki Mills.

Mills says when she was alone in her 20s, she had suicidal thoughts, but witchcraft gave her “faith, purpose and a much broader understanding of both people and the world I was living in.”

“Without the strength it gave me I don’t know where I would be today.”

Mills has been into witchcraft for as long as she can remember, but began properly studying it when she turned 22.

“Since then I have studied all aspects of the craft and over time began to share it with other like minded people,” she says.

“When I began my journey you would never admit aloud that you were a witch. Luckily times are changing.”

Mills has had a rough old time of it – she’s got a spinal injury and has been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia and acute anxiety. It means even leaving the house can be a major ordeal.

As part of her coping strategies, she started making witchcraft accessories like jewellery, charm bags and altar cloths.

“I started making items for myself when I first started exploring witchcraft. My first item being a wand, as there were little to no shops that accommodated those of us who practice,” Mills says.

“Being that it was frowned upon. I found it to be a powerful experience to provide and create for myself the things I needed. 

“And the craft was a good focus for me especially in my earlier years when I suffered severe depression. It is a very liberating experience and I am very open and proud of my practices today.”

Witchcraft

Mills says companies are wary of employing her as a spinal injury is a biggest compensation risk and Centrelink wouldn’t put her on disability benefit, so in 2020 she launched the online business Grey Witch Crystals – a one-stop shop for all things witchy.

“My customers are phenomenal people whom I am incredibly blessed to have met, even just through my Facebook page,” she says. “That is why I chose to open myself up to the world with Grey Witch Crystals.

“It’s my favourite thing when my customers reach out to me to let me know I made a positive impact on their day.”

Mills is a big supporter of the Black Dog Institute, a not-for-profit supporting people with depression, and has a donation link on her website: “Witchcraft gives me the ability and connections to reach out and help others who are suffering (which I love being able to do) and it brought me to finding the Black Dog Institute,” she says.

“I wanted to help others in particular with PTSD as there is limited help available for those who suffer with it. I encourage those who are able to click the link to the Black Dog Institute and donate if they can. It is an area that needs aid.”

According to the 2016 census, 27,194 Australians identified as pagan or other affiliated “nature religions”, including 6616 people who specifically identified as “Wiccan/witchcraft”. 

Every year since 1984, witches have flocked to the national Australian Wiccan Conference, which is held on the weekend  closest to the Spring Equinox, with three days of workshops, classes, lectures, entertainment and socialising.

Usually more than 80 people attend the conference and the highlight of the weekend is the Spring Equinox ritual. 

Mills says people shouldn’t believe the ‘wicked witch’ stereotype popularised in Hollywood movies over the years.

“I try really hard to promote acts of kindness through my work and Facebook page,” she says. “Most of us witches are some of the kindest souls you could hope to meet.”

If you want to find out more about Mills and her work see greywitchcrystals.com.au.