Perth Voice Interactive

WHILE many ailing seniors clubs stick to the landline, fax machine or even a stamped envelope to communicate with members, older folk in Bayswater are taking to the web to keep their long-lived clubs alive and kicking.

Sue Hayes is president of the Maylands Autumn Centre and at a recent meeting they resolved to go online with a Facebook group page.

“We just found that a lot of people are wanting to get on the internet. I said ‘let’s get a little more community involvement, let’s try to get a Facebook page going for the Maylands Autumn Centre’,” she says.

Families

“We just thought this is a way people can become involved in what’s happening at the club, what we’re doing. It’s not only for seniors but for families of seniors who are looking for somewhere for their parents to go.”

Bayswater council’s running free workshops to help train community groups to ensure they stick around and thrive, and classes in online presence and social media is one wing of that. Mayor Barry McKenna says the clubs put a lot of tireless effort into the community and he wants to make sure they get the support they need.

“Upskilling our local community groups and clubs benefits the individuals and the community,” he says.

Ms Hayes has taught seniors how to use computers for years now and says as long as they’re interested they learn fast.

“We had one lady come along, she was in her 80s. Now she rally wanted to learn. She learnt, she went out and bought herself the best computer, digital cameras, she learned to do everything, she learned to do her husbands accounts.”

Isolation is a big issue for seniors, and the web can help keep them socially active. Ms Hayes has just had a knee reconstruction, and being online has let her keep up with friends and family even though she can’t get out.

The Free classes have already had a few early sessions but they run all the way through to June next year, with the social media classes happening November 9. All the info’s at the council website or, if you’re not yet web savvy, call Belinda on 9270 4107

by DAVID BELL

THE Mount Lawley Society is hoping to make its historical archives more widely accessible by moving into a permanent home in Stirling.

The society’s current storage space is an ignominious basement; cold, dark, and accessed through a busy commercial kitchen.

Society president Paul Collins hopes an upgrade is on the horizon and has asked Stirling council for assistance.

He had no luck when the council drafted its heritage management plan recently, as a home for the society was considered beyond its scope, but he says the two organisations have a good relationship at the moment so he’s confident staff will be keeping an eye out for a suitable home.

“The city has a lot of community buildings, and we think there’s an opportunity there”, Mr Collins says, noting other heritage societies often share space in libraries or other community buildings.

“We think if you’re serious about heritage, then how can we celebrate that heritage and make it more widely available to the community?”

by TRILOKESH CHANMUGAM

“WANJOO, kwobodak koorda.” (Welcome, beautiful friends).

A Perth-based choir is using the power of music to try and protect the endangered Noongar language of WA’s south west, and is pushing to get the message into more Perth schools.

Madjitil Moorna started the Noongar Songs in Schools project last year, mentoring young Noongar performers such as Candice Lorrae, Kristel Kickett, Tori Oakley and Kobi Morrison as they lead Noongar song workshops in schools.

Choir coordinator Jo Randell says they’re on the hunt for more young performers to take advantage of the interest the program has generated in Perth’s schools.

Pride

She says some they’ve performed at have had no indigenous students at all, while others have been packed.

Mr Randell says the Noongar kids not only learn about their culture and language, but having their peers join in while having fun with the songs has helped to foster a sense of identity, respect, pride and belonging.

Kids get the chance to tackle a lullaby, chant and anthem in Noongar.

“Singing is the easiest way to learn the language,” Ms Randell says, adding they’re also there to support teachers who want to foster a love of the local language but have no knowledge, or may be anxious about offending traditional owners with their efforts.

Noongar elder Marie Taylor sings with the choir and feels honoured people want to learn the language.

“The choir is made up of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and if anything illustrates reconciliation in action, it’s the choir. White fellas learning our language makes me feel proud and honoured,” she said.

Schools are reaching out for more cultural content but Madjitil Moorna need more performers to keep up with the demand. For more information or to join the choir log onto http://www.madjitilmoorna.org.au

by HOLLY COOMEY

WORK on Highgate primary school’s eight new classrooms is due to start soon, says Perth MLA Eleni Evangel.

The $6.5 million, two-storey building will go on the corner of Lincoln Street and Bulwer Avenue.

When Ms Evangel was elected to state parliament in 2013, she said school upgrades were one of her “primary priorities”.

School principal Stephen Ivey expects it to be ready for the 2018 school year.

AROUND 350 protesters rallied at Parliament House this week demanding better protection of Perth’s dwindling wetlands.

A planned housing development that saw a large chunk of privately-owned wetlands cleared in Bayswater sparked the rally, but others with concerns ranging from the Roe Highway extension through Beeliar wetlands to the Point Peron canals used the occasion to highlight their cause.

Bayswater’s No Houses in Wetlands group called on planning minister Donna Faragher, to put a special planning control order over the wetlands affected by the proposed sub-division at the end of King William Street, which would bring the project to a halt.

Both Ms Faragher and environment minister Albert Jacob addressed the crowd but were frequently howled down.

Ms Faragher directed blame at Bayswater council for not buying up neighbouring Carter wetland (which took the brunt of the clearing) when it was offered for sale in 2010.

She said the council is still looking into buying the site to rehabilitate the damage and keep the remaining trees.

Calls for the Barnett government to reinstate EPA protection policies for wetlands were met with resounding cheers and Opposition environment shadow Chris Tallentire promised Labor would do so if elected in March.

by DAVID BELL