Perth Voice Interactive

Labor tunes into Rod’s wavelength

June 9, 2016

LABOR’S contender for the federal Perth seat Tim Hammond says his party will restore funding for community radio if they win government (“Gasping for air,” Voice, May 13, 2016).

The Turnbull government has pulled $1.4million a year out of the budget for digital community radio as part of a platform of “keeping government spending growth under control” and reducing long-term debt.

For Mt Lawley-based RTR (a respite from the constant ads, asinine stories and endless giveaways on Perth’s top of the pop stations) the cut means they’ll lose at least $10,000 a year.

• Capital Radio’s Rod Culley will find Labor’s pledge to reinstate funding for community radio music to his ears.

Crucial

“For community stations like us it is a crucial amount of money,” RTR’s general manager Stuart MacLeod said in May.

RTR chairperson Rewi Lyall (a long time Labor man who previously worked for Alannah MacTiernan) points out the cuts came in the same supposedly thrifty budget that gave commercial TV and radio stations a 25 per cent cut on their licence fees.

The community broadcasting sector grouped together to launch a petition Keep Community Radio and within a month they’d soared to near 50,000 signatures.

Labor’s now pledged $5.6 million across four years and the Greens have also committed to restoring the funding.

Mr Hammond, who went to the first In The Pines music mini-fest organised by the station back when he was a shaggy UWA arts student (and even bought the shirt), says “losing RTR would be a major blow to Perth’s music scene. It’s one of the only outlets for up and coming Perth bands to get a foot in the door, and has championed WA music and journalism for years”.

Capital Radio DJ, vice president and produce Rod Culley says they provide a lot of comfort for the elderly and those who live alone, saying his station reaches up to 40,000 people daily. Devoted listeners have held parties for station staff and invited DJs into their home for meals, after building up a personal rapport.

by DAVID BELL
Friction over conference

June 9, 2016

PERTH councillor Jim Adamos is off to Melbourne for a two-day “Making Cities Liveable Conference,” costing $2,355 of public money.

Lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi, who’s recently been defending her frequent interstate and overseas travel as hard yakka on behalf of ratepayers, gave short shrift to councillors who had questions about the trip at Tuesday’s full council meeting.

Councillors often pull money for professional development trips from their own $13,600 personal expenses budget, but Cr Adamos asked that the trip be funded from a general million-dollar governance fund.

When councillor Jemma Green queried why the cash was coming from the communal fund, Ms Scaffidi gave her a ticking off.

“I think these are very operational questions for a council meeting,” Ms Scaffidi told Cr Green. “I think it’s up to the individual councillor.

“There’s no fixed methodology and nor should there be,” Ms Scaffidi said, adding the way they did it now was transparent and accountable.

Cr Green was behind a recent motion compelling councillors to prepare reports about trips, but when she queried why Cr Adamos was being given two months to prepare his, Ms Scaffidi cut her short.

“Two months is reasonable,“ Ms Scaffidi decreed.

When Cr Green tried to canvas other councillors about the deadline, Ms Scaffidi cut in: “I’m chairing the meeting, I think we’ll just leave it at that.

”At the end of the day Cr Adamos is putting himself out there to go and represent the city at the conference. As to whether he does it out of his own expenses is his call, not your call.”

Cr Adamos will fly economy.

by DAVID BELL
Whoa mumma!

June 9, 2016

RADIO NATIONAL announced South Korean author Han Kang had won the Man Booker prize for The Vegetarian just as I was looking for somewhere for lunch.

It’s a dark novel about a marriage torn apart by a defiant act of vegetarianism, but that didn’t put me off as I headed to Veggie Mama on the corner of Beaufort and Vincent Streets.

Owner Dylan Weiner grew up in a vegetarian family: “I’ve‚ never eaten meat or fish,” he says.

A lack of restaurants catering to vegetarians was behind setting up Veggie Mama almost five years ago.

“There were no places to eat so I decided to open up something,” the Yokine local says.

The patrons are diverse, from senior citizens to young dreadlocked mums with their kids; and everyone in between.

At the next table an unexpectedly Buddhist gent was telling his young dining companions he’d renounced carnivorism because of his love of animals.

In The Vegetarian the husband says the only reason to start eating like a rabbit is to “lose weight, alleviate certain physical ailments, being possessed by an evil spirit ‚ or having your sleep disturbed by indigestion”.

You don’t have to be possessed, or even a vegetarian, to enjoy the food at Veggie Mama.

Its cabinets glisten with savoury pastries and a mind-boggling variety of patties, salads and pastas, curries and casseroles.

I opted for a noodle tofu dish and the Moroccan delight ($13.95).

The spicy sweetness of the noodles was lovely, but the sharp tomatoey tang of the Moroccan dish outshone it.

Chunks of tomato, capsicum and chickpeas in a rich sauce, dotted with crispy pieces of house-made falafel, delightful sums it up.

D’Angerous would have had the Thai curry, but they’d sold out early and he settled for a coconut curry instead.

It was based around potatoes, which swam in a creamy, moist and flavoursome sauce which delivered plenty of savoury coconut punch.

We washed our meal down with a couple of almond milk banana smoothies ($8.50).

Ingredients at Veggie Mama are organic and sourced as locally as possible, the coffee is Fairtrade, no food is fried and there are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options.

by JENNY D’ANGER

Veggie Mama
corner Beaufort and Vincent Streets,
Mt Lawley
open Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm,
Sat-Sun 9am‚Äì5pm
9227 1910
Just Like the Old Country

June 9, 2016

Vassi Loucaides opened Estia in April 2010. Vassi has been part of Perth’s food industry for more than 40 years, working in various restaurants following his immigration from Cyprus. His impressive culinary CV includes King Arthur’s Revolving Restaurant, then ownership of Casa Pepe, Maccas Seafood Restaurant, and of late the acclaimed Aegean Restaurant in Mt Hawthorn. What has been created is something that captures the beauty, flavours and seduction of Vassi’s homeland, the cradle of western civilisation. Whether you’re after a quick coffee, a working lunch, a dinner for two or a function (this is a Greek restaurant — big events are its specialty!) Estia hits the spot every time.

Estia’s beautiful menu is carefully designed to provide an authentic taste of traditional Greek cuisine for the modern palate: Greece is a country of ancient beauty and myth, but this restaurant is anything but stuck in the past. Take the time to read the menu because a mouth-watering experience is guaranteed. Where else can you choose from a mezethakia menu that includes soft-shell crab, honey and ouzo glazed pork ribs and potatoes lemonates as well as famous staples such as dolmathes and piatela? The extensive mains menu includes prawn saganaki and arni tou fourno alongside spanakopita, mousaka, lamb cutlets and slow-roasted pork belly. But then of course there’s the Meze Platter, designed for sharing with the table. What a feast!

If you’re bored with weekend bacon and eggs, Estia has stunning breakfast menus for Saturday and Sunday till noon. Why not try the toasted pita (haloumi, fig compote and salata), or perhaps the omelette (sojuk sausage, spinach, goats cheese and tomato). If you’re a traditionalist you can even get the Zeus — the big brekky with bacon and eggs. Kids are looked after too, as is your sweet tooth, with a sensational dessert menu, including loukoumathes and galaktoboureko — but leave plenty of room because you may not be able to stop at one.

Of course, Estia is fully licensed with a range of beers, wines, liquors and ouzo, and serves superb Greek coffee. Make your booking today and check out the place that’s been described as “a breath of fresh air on the Beaufort Street dining scene”.

Estia
836 Beaufort St, Inglewood
9371 5585
http://www.estiarestaurant.com.au
Perth’s freaks and geaks get supa

June 9, 2016

VIKINGS, vampires, werewolves and a Tardis-packed cast of super-powered characters will be out in force for Perth Supanova.

Fandom comes to life in a celebration of the worlds of film, TV, comics, anime, sci-fi, cartoons, books and gaming at the Perth Convention Centre on June 25 and 26.

There’s costume role play (cosplay in geek-speak), fan clubs to sign up with, talks, music, creative master classes in topics such as writing comic books, wrestling tournaments and competitions.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer bad girl Juliette Landau (Drusilla) is on the guest appearance list and the Voice caught up with her on the blower from the UK last week.

It was easy to see why fantasy sometimes blurs with reality for cosplayers, as the conversation slipped between real and imagined characters as if speaking of old friends.

• Juliet Landau. Photo supplied

An actor, director and producer, Landau co-starred with Johnny Depp in Ed Wood and is currently co-directing two feature length documentaries about the vampire phenomenon.

A Place Among the Dead covers real-crime where people take the fantasy of vampirism too far (Australia has at least one; Tracey Wigginton was dubbed the “lesbian vampire killer” after leading a gang that killed a man in 1989 and drank his blood).

Landau’s second doco A Place Among the Undead covers all aspects of the vampire myth, from pop culture, movies, TV, art, literature, comics music and video games.

The human condition

Asked about the appeal of vampires and shows like Buffy, Landau says: “One of the main reasons…is because it can be used in myriad ways to reflect the human condition. It forces us to look at our own nature.”

Shooting for each episode of Buffy was done on a tight eight-day turn around, and despite taking her role and the show seriously, Landau laughs as she thinks about the odd juxtaposition of two scenes shot on the same day.

The first was set in Victorian London, the next at 20th century Sunnydale High School where her bad-ass character tries to kill someone with long talon-like nails.

“I couldn’t have the nails in the 19th century, so we used pop-on ones, which kept popping off – definitely not threatening.”

Despite not being on TV for more than 10 years fans of Buffy and follow up series Angel are still keen, Landau says.

“It’s like a band of family…people get to meet people that are part of the show and talk about stuff they loved.”

Others in the Supanova line-up are boxer Kostya Tszyu and author Dustin Warburton, Deadpool duo Brianna Hildebrand and Stefan Kapicic and Lord of the Rings’ Sean Astin and John Noble.

But the event attracted calls for a boycott after founder Daniel Zachariou copied a petition on his Facebook page calling for the axing of the anti-bullying Safe Schools campaign, which has a strong focus on gender issues.

Since the controversy erupted, he’s promised to add a diversity panel discussion to this year’s event and says he’s been taken out of context.

Tix at supanova.com.au

by JENNY D’ANGER
Printmakers explore place and belonging

June 9, 2016

SEVEN PRINTMAKERS is an aptly named exhibition of seven artists with unique backgrounds responding to the theme “place”.

The artists explore the psychological aspect of place and belonging, co-ordinator and printmaker Shana James explains.

“It’s the idea of what it means to be in a good space or place in your self rather than something external,” she says.

“Some…are about real places others are imagined.”

James teaches printmaking at the Fremantle Arts Centre and the exhibition ropes in some of her favourite colleagues.

“I created an exhibition I wanted to see,” the Spearwood local says.

• Printmaker Shana James. Photo by Jenny D’Anger

“Including etching, collography [ink applied with a roller or paint brush], drypoint and relief printing — these processes have a history spanning centuries.

“It takes time and dedication to build these skills. In a digital age where we are swamped by quick fix images it’s a welcome space of considered contemplation.”

Her exquisite prints are inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and its questions of identity, childhood innocence, angst and absurdity.

Fremantle printmaker Harvey Mullen’s prints retrace a trek through the Tasmanian wilderness.

One scene leads onto the next, moving deeper into the mountains and further away from civilisation.

Hailing from Namibia, Elmari Steyn’s works are of rare plants, deserts and wind-scoured shores, reflecting her love of nature.

Heathcote’s galleries are an exploration of place in themselves, James says.

“There are little rooms for the small works and big rooms for the big works.”

Seven Printmakers is at Heathcote Gallery, Duncraig Road, Applecross, until July 3.

by JENNY D’ANGER
ASTROLOGY June 11 – June 18, 2016

June 9, 2016

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
If there’s going to be a change in your work life, it’s going to be all about aligning yourself to your deepest wishes. It’s going to be all about getting yourself back on track. We all deviate. It’s part of the dance, to head off on various tangents. It’s also part of the plan to bring ourselves back.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
You still have Mercury with you for a couple of days. He gives access to insight. If you don’t dig in and find your own, then you might feel like you are in a bit of a muddle. This is a good time for setting your aim – and hanging out with those trusted few who can help you to frame it.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
The Sun has entered that part of Gemini that tends to encourage Twin people to plant their flags, to identify their aim and stick with it. Even though you are essentially mutable, everybody needs an axis, a centre to weave their dance around. Secure what’s important in your heart and soul.

CANCER (June 22 – Jul 22)
Life is bringing you out of your hidey hole and into the light. You can feel it. This goes against your desire to be operating behind the scenes, so you may be reluctant. It rounds out our being to play a multitude of different roles. The more you are seen, you the more you will be loved.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
Though you are in a quiet phase, where your main interest is to get your resources in order, your foundations down, you seem to be doing so with good humour. Playfulness is not in any way flippant or superficial. Considering all that’s going down, to be able to laugh is a big thing.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
The Moon begins the week in Virgo. This charges you up with feeling, which in turn gives you a sense of purpose. You feel like you are going somewhere. Over-analysis and sentimentalising, are both killers of momentum. Stick with your underlying intent. Don’t get totally diverted.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Bring laughter into your own heart and then you will have a feast of laughter to offer within the womb of house and home. It’s not up to others to make you happy. It’s your work to find the bliss in your own soul. Make sure you go looking for this bliss in the right place. Recalibrate.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
It’s becoming urgent to figure out the true nature of your guest, Mars. He’s not going to go away until you learn how to bring him into your dance. He has had a bad rap. He has been marked as the god of war after all. That happens when he’s unhappy. He’s your motor. He’s your drive.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Excellence in anything brings with it a delightful set of feelings. When we hit the note of excellence, we are whole, we are fully immersed in what we are doing; and when we are fully immersed, we are bound to hit moments of bliss. These are moments of meditation. Enjoy.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Partnerships are proving to be nothing less than transformational. You are seeing past the feeling of devastation that invariably comes when the ego has to bow down and let go. It’s not easy to put aside vanity or pride. That which comes in their wake, is truly something special. Explore.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Before a new bud comes, there’s a gap, a silence, where one can’t be sure if it’s going to come at all. The only way through this little gap is trust. There are good reasons to trust. Life keeps regenerating, almost in spite of us at times. Doubt your doubt. Doubt can only take us so far.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Get back to the things that mean the most to you. They aren’t about to go away. You know what nourishes you. Life is inviting you to reclaim it. If there’s no meaning or significance in what we are doing, or in how we are doing what we do, it’s time to dig deep and find some. Do it.
Find your nook on Rookwood

June 9, 2016

THE cream stucco work and perfect tuck-pointed red brick wall above it kind of looked authentic 1920s, but there was just something that made me think this Rookwood Street home was more than greets the eye.

And it seems I was right, as it’s more than a sum of its parts with an original single-storey Californian bungalow blossoming into a five-bedroom abode that mixes early 20th century grace with 21st century modernity.

Leadlight

Original leadlight doors and bay windows stretch across the front of the home, giving access to the street-facing verandah.

The formal dining room has double sliding doors with cute narrative stained glass, a fisher on one side and a sailing boat and lighthouse on the other.

A circular window relocated from the dining room to take pride of place in a self-contained apartment is the third part of
the story.

With a generous lounge/dining room and kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and its own access it’s ideal for ageing parents, or grown up kids who won’t leave home.

Jarrah floors are a glorious rich red/brown throughout the old section of the house, and the old coal fire in the formal dining room has been replaced with a replica, gas-powered version.

There’s been attention to detail as the extension grew, so the deep skirting, decorative door and window frames, and ceiling roses all match.

The only 1920s touch in the huge kitchen is the lovely black and white federation tiling, the rest is a thoroughly modern zone with black granite benchtops, white soft-close drawers and a spacious walk-in-pantry.

And the adjacent laundry is so big it could double as a butler’s pantry.

Floor-to-ceiling glass doors off the dining/family area lead out to a delightful covered alfresco area.

It’s protected on three sides, so anyone sitting on the timber deck — entertaining or chilling — is sure to hit relaxation nirvana.

Parents’ wing

Four of the bedrooms and a study/sitting area are on the upper level, including a parents’ wing, with a huge bedroom and a street-facing balcony overlooking Memorial Park and Mt Lawley Bowling Club.

The vendors clearly like ceiling roses (and who doesn’t) because there’s a couple in the bedroom, one in the “his and hers” walk-in-robes, one in the lovely red and white-tiled federation ensuite, and even a dainty one in the loo.

by JENNY D’ANGER

15 Rookwood Street, Mt Lawley
from $1.995 million
Stuart irving
0418 920 672
Brad Irving
0422 678 144
Irving & Keenan Real Estate
9272 0566
N Bees Maintenance

June 9, 2016

If you’re looking to do renovations, builds and general handyman and gardening work around the northern suburbs of Perth- please give Neil a call.

Neil gained his guilds in Furniture Making and has spent over 15 years working with many tradesman in Europe – making all kinds of furniture before moving on into upholstery making sofas and recliners. Neil also had plenty of work experience installing UPVC windows, doors, patios and conservatories- before moving to Australia in 1999.

He commenced working here for the Police Academy in Maintenance- until he decided to explore the success of operating his own small business.

N Bees Maintenance offers a fair price on all work, offers no obligation quotes and also discounts to repeat services and elderly clients. He will guarantee a friendly and reliable service, leaving your much improved home with the satisfaction of a job well done.

Call and ask for a half or full day fixed price for general duties from Window Cleaning and Garden maintenance- to Quoted jobs on Patios, Pergolas and Gates- and anything else you may have an idea for!

Call today on 0407 616 734
Car ban to give Leedy some rev

June 3, 2016

A BIG chunk of Oxford Street around the Leederville town centre could be closed off on Friday nights.

Local precinct group Leederville Connect is pushing for a trial of the closure, arguing a more pedestrian-friendly strip will create a buzz and boost economic activity.

Leederville Connect says outside businesses or stalls won’t be bought in as they are for festivals, with only local businesses being allowed to spill out beyond the footpath.

• David Galloway, Jimmy Murphy and John Carey are hoping local businesses will get on board with closing off Oxford Streets on Friday nights. Photo by Steve Grant

Vincent mayor John Carey says the idea will go to consultation with businesses, but he’s behind the plan. He says “local government can be like an episode from Little Britain where computer says no”, but they want to give this one a shot.

“We’ve got to try new ideas, we have to consistently look at how we support vibrancy and reinvigorate our town centres.”

Fremantle council closed South Terrace in Fremantle over March and claimed it was a success, although some businesses complained their turnover was affected.

As Vincent’s proposal will mean no parking on Oxford Street during the closure, Mr Carey concedes some people will get antsy.

”If the businesses reject this, then it’s done, we won’t go ahead.”

by DAVID BELL