A THIEF has been seen stealing mail from letterboxes in the dead of night in West Perth.
At 2am Monday January 6 this Voice journo peered out his kitchen window, spotting the thief, kitted out in dark clothes, cap, backpack and torch, taking envelopes from mailboxes.
Heroic urges to intervene and apprehend were short-circuited by no clothes and naked cowardice. So he went back to bed.
Having detected 800 counts at least of mail fraud in 2014’s Operation Rescue, WA police have urged locals to lockup their letter boxes.
Losing the five bucks your nan tucks in your birthday card is the least of your worries: stolen documents, including bills, provide thieves the info they need to build a case for identity theft, and that can lead to a world of trouble.
Operation Rescue culminated in the arrest of two homeless people charged with withdrawing money from bank accounts, buying debit cards, hiring vehicles and renting hotel rooms. Many victims had no clue it was even going on.
A BUSHFIRE in Coolbinia last Sunday has been declared suspicious by fire authorities, leading to an investigation by the police arson squad.
The fire started around noon near the Coolbinia primary and Sir David Brand schools, beside Glick Road.
Locals were evacuated and Bradford Street closed as 11 fire trucks and four water bomber helicopters arrived on the scene.
Stirling city councillor Terry Tyzack, who lives nearby on Wordsworth Avenue, says he was told helicopters siphoned water from the aquatic centre in Inglewood, before flying to the blaze in Coolbinia.
A DFES spokesperson said the blaze was contained at 1.31pm and extinguished at 4.14pm.
• Arthur Mistilis at the scene of the Coolbinia bush fire. Photo by Matthew Dwyer
“The arson squad attended the scene after fire services determined the cause to be suspicious,” he said.
Arthur Mistilis, who lives on nearby Carnarvon Crescent, says it was a lucky escape for the Sir David Brand School, which caters for students with disabilities.
“It was lucky that the blaze was caught quickly, as it could have easily spread across the bushland,” he says.
“The fire would have been right on top of them and destroyed everything. There was quite a commotion with loads of sirens and helicopters flying overhead.”
FRINGE FESTIVAL fever is set to rock Perth as performers and artists across Australia and the world pack their glittery shoes, outrageous wigs and head to town.
From high theatre and a cathedral candle light cabaret at St George’s Cathedral, to dark and brooding plays to outrageous vaudeville, song, dance and circus there’s something for everyone at shows with ridiculously low prices.
Russell Square will become the Pleasure Garden, with venues amongst the trees for a slew of fast paced non-stop action, while theatres and venues across Perth and Fremantle will host cutting edge, innovative theatre.
The Blue Room Theatre and PICA’s multi-award winning Summer Nights is back with a whopping 35 shows: “It’s bigger than Ben Hur,” media spinner Jenna Mathie says.
One of many, Squid Boy (Trygve Wakenshaw) is back at PICA after last year’s runaway hit show with Kraken, while Fake it Til You Make It looks at clinical depression and men.
And kids aren’t forgotten with New Zealand hot young talent Trick of Light Theatre presenting The Bookbinder, a mix of mystery, magic and mayhem.
In the Pleasure Garden, Penny Shaw frocks up for Opera Undressed with sublime arias and amusing stories, rubbing shoulders with edgy and over the top cabaret nearby.
Asking For It is a one-woman show by Adrienne Truscott, about rape. But this is fringe so don’t expect a too-dark exploration of the subject.
“Adrienne plans to make jokes about rape, all night long, even if you tell her to stop,” the blurb says. It’s on at The Stables, one of a swag of performances in and around the cultural centre in Northbridge.
Black Swan is showing Venus in Fur at the Studio Underground at the State Theatre a “psychological striptease” that promises a thrilling conclusion.
Or head to De Parel Spiegeltent at the Cultural Centre for something light with Fever, the Music of Peggy Lee.
With hundreds of shows to choose from there’s something for everyone. The Fringe Festival kicks off January 23 to February 22 and the full program is available at Perth Fringe Festival 2015.
O’Neill nails it SHAYNE G O’NEILL in his letter “Garbage” (Voice Mail, December 20, 2014) nailed it for me.
The Northbridge area has always been the epicentre for homeless people where they have access to accommodation, food and medical aid, as well being able to socialise with people in a similar predicament on public land.
Most of the time they keep to themselves but are continuously and unnecessarily harassed and targeted by police who have nothing better to do than react to frivolous complaints by a bunch of recent arrivals with not a skerrick of compassion nor understanding.
Furthermore, being an intelligent lot the new arrivals should have undertaken due diligence of the area and factored in these so-called problems before moving in.
What suburb do they want these unwanted folk to move to? The developers of these el cheapo units and the buffoons from local authorities have never met these “down and outers” face to face in an effort to find solutions but instead put them down at every opportunity.
The Voice editor has obviously been hard done by the state administrative tribunal at some time in his life and continuously raises the issue of its members not being elected.
Well, mate you want to wake up to yourself big time as the buffoons elected to councils with a few hundred votes are there to look after their own personal interests and the interests of their mates.
At least with the SAT there is objectivity and if you don’t agree with the decision you have the right to challenge it in the Supreme Court. George Bouzidis Third Ave, Mount Lawley
Love those Voice letters I ENJOYED the range of comments in Voice Mail in 2014. Let’s start 2015 local.
I agree with John Carey’s philosophy we should be developing around people and not cars. However, the Mary Street location for the piazza is inappropriate.
As long as Barlee Street residents are consulted first, perhaps it would be a better location. Furthermore, if the council is so concerned about this then why does it allow parking on Beaufort Street?
This is particularly the case close to the junction of Walcott, which is continually one of the worst accident black spots in Perth.
On the whole though this is a minor gripe compared to the state government which was wasting millions on trying to catch sharks when that money should be spent on health, education and housing. I think we know who the biggest shark is!
I see Darryl Moore still has sour grapes and is deluded about the “winning” federal team….just as well we have the unrepresentative swill (quote Paul Keating) of the Senate to stop/ water down some of Tony Abbott’s policies, especially the GP co-payment and the costs of uni education.
All the best for the new year to all Voice readers. Wesley Meller Clarence St, Mount Lawley
No tax funds for religious schools ISN’T it high time for governments to stop giving any financial assistance to all kinds of religious schools, given that these communities are socially divisive and, given the opportunity, intolerants?
Today we see Shiites and Sunnis killing each other—despite the fact they worship the same god and believe in the same scriptures—just as the Catholics and Protestants did not so long ago.
In fact, historically millions of people have died thanks to religious conflicts. And, over the centuries, the worst human rights abuses took place under the arbitrary power of ecclesiastic authorities…the ultimate form of dictatorship and death of democracy.
No doubt about it, our tax money could be better spent helping out the increasing numbers of destitute Australians. Frank Schenk McDonald St, Osborne Park
Leave us alone HOW many times does it have to be said: Vincent does not want to be part of the City of Perth.
Kate Emery is wrong when she says (“Barnett confident on council mergers,” The West online, December 16, 2014) that “the City of Vincent wants to be part of the City of Perth”.
The Vincent proposal was made only in an attempt to avoid the worst aspects of proposals from the minister and the City of Perth.
Nearly four out five of those who voted in October 2013 did not want Vincent to be abolished.
Vincent council has clearly stated its position to be that it:
• recognises the local community’s first preference, based on the results of the City of Vincent plebiscite and ongoing community feedback, that Vincent remain as its own local government entity;
• remains opposed to forced local government mergers which does not give ratepayers the final say on the future of their council.
The Vincent mayor has also strongly opposed the vote-weighting proposed by Barnett to ensure “residents don’t control the CBD”—the effect of which would be to make Vincent residents second-class citizens.
For Colin Barnett to say, publicly, the City of Vincent supports his proposed City of Perth Act can only be described as an astounding act of hubris, one compounded by his expectation the Opposition will support it, despite statements to the contrary previously made by opposition leader Mark McGowan. Ian Ker Vincent St, Mt Lawley
ENTHUSIASM and efficiency is permeating Perth’s service industry, threatening the existence of our colony’s once infamously surly waiters.
Sayers Sister aptly demonstrates this new breed, as cheery waiters rush to bring water, happily discuss the menu—are equally happy to check with the kitchen if they didn’t know the answer—and generally ensure customers are happy and comfortable and kept informed of any delays, as was the case for those queuing on this busy Tuesday.
Stephanie and Mark Sayers opened Sayers in Leederville a touch over seven years ago, “and this one two and a half years ago,” Stephanie tells the Voice, adding they no longer own the original.
You’ll find the same attention to detail ensuring fresh, homemade delectables, along with a “bespoke” coffee the pair travels the world to source to ensure it’s the best.
Table service eliminates tedious queues at the counter and the place is licensed, so punters can enjoy a wine or beer over lunch or dinner.
With a frenetic round of Christmas gatherings behind us the D’Angers were looking to enjoy the solitude of brunch for two.
So we sat outside, rather than in the comfy-looking high-backed, red-plush chairs inside where the noise level was rising as people packed in.
Sipping a couple of particularly fine freshly squeezed juices ($5.50) I watched the blokes next door salivate as monstrous steak sandwiches ($21.50) resembling loaves cut in half were delivered.
Thick slices of beef were delicately pink inside as they tackled their meals in caveman-like contentment.
For me, tucking into a beautifully presented plate of mushroom and parmesan croquettes ($18.50) swimming in a cheesy fondue was a very satisfying experience, the flavours complementing each other in perfect harmony.
D’Angerous Dave’s coriander and cumin beans ($16.50) arrived in a vibrant orange tagine, adding to the picture-perfect contents, and the taste was exquisite, exploding in the mouth in a rich mix of tomato and Moroccan spices.
We finished with a slice of lime and coconut tart ($7) and an almond and berry slice ($4.50), both of which were fantastic.
But I confess to passing on the coffee in favour of sharing a refreshing pot of earl grey tea with my loved one.
Sayers Sister 236 Lake St, Northbridge 9227 7506 open Mon–Thur, & Sun 7am–4pm, Fri & Sat 7am–10pm licensed
THE Kurb Gallery in Northbridge will close by Christmas unless the owners can find a cheaper home.
The gallery has been paying a subsidised rent of $22,000 a year to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority for its William Street digs but new landlords have taken over the building and want to nearly triple the rent to $60,000.
Kurb director Dan Spriggs says that’s unaffordable.
“We just broke even when the rent was $22,000 by hiring out the gallery space but $60,000 is unachievable, it would put us under,” he says.
“We looked at moving into the old Chrissie Parrott Arts studio in Maylands, but the landlord wanted $40,000 in rent and it was too far off the beaten track.”
Kurb’s rent troubles follow a string of small Perth galleries shutting their doors, including Melody Smith, Perth Galleries and the Venn on Queen Street.
• Kurb director Dan Spriggs—needs a new home for Christmas, or the gallery closes. Photo by Matthew Dwyer
Emerge Art Space recently moved from Beaufort Street to Inglewood because of high inner-city rents.
Turner Galleries is also getting ready to shift.
“The sale of Turner Galleries is a strategic move to realise capital gain and relocate elsewhere,” says owner Helen Turner.
“This will probably not happen until the end of 2015. There is a developer interested in the property but as yet there is no contract written or signed.
“I will be looking for an exciting new location for the gallery, in the coming year, pending an agreed sales contract.”
Perth artist Ken Sealey, who rents a stall at the recently launched Beaufort Street Art Market, says changes to superannuation laws slowed art sales.
“A few years back they changed the super laws so you couldn’t claim back art if you bought and displayed it, you had to put it in storage,” he says.
“That impacted sales and hit galleries hard.
“I do well at the art market but the pieces are cheaper and it’s more of a retail environment.”
Mr Spriggs approached the WA government for help with finding a new home for Kurb but never heard back.
He is open to offers and needs around 300sqm of gallery space.
Kurb exhibitions have included works by, amongst others, Matt Doust, Noel Sheridan and Danielle Freakley.
MANNA will continue to feed homeless people in Weld Square for at least another year, after attempts failed to find a new home for the service.
Manna has been feeding the homeless and underprivileged in the square for 18 years but complaints from neighbouring residents in the increasingly upscale area resulted in Vincent council trying to find new digs.
Mayor John Carey says Manna isn’t the sole source of anti-social problems as there is trouble in the square even when it isn’t there (and a lot of rubbish strewn around the park can be attributed to the nearby McDonald’s, not Manna).
The council set itself a one-year deadline to find a new home, but nothing suitable popped up. One available building was too small, and the line for a hot meal would have snaked out of the door, leaving most outside anyway.
As concerned residents watched on from the public gallery, the council approved Manna’s operation for another 12 months.
Stirling Street resident Brayden Wardrop wrote to the Voice recently that Manna’s operation is an “ongoing tarnish to this area” that “seems to spiral hopelessly out of control,” and he’d recently seen a man beaten during an attempt to steal his dog.
“While I support the overall intention of Manna Inc’s work, it needs to take more accountability for the direct impact its service is having on the residents of this area,” he said.
A $2000 reward is being offered for the return of a century-old heritage-listed door called Iris.
The distinctive leadlight door was stolen from Sheridan’s badge shop in Florence Street, West Perth, during renovations in August.
After four months of trawling Quokka and second-hand furniture sellers, Phil Sheridan has gone public with his appeal for the beloved door’s return.
The door is the centrepiece of a 2m by 3m panorama, and features a pond setting with a purple iris growing out. The window above—also stolen—features two colourful doves.
• This distinctive door was stolen right off the hinges during renovations. A $2000 reward is offered.
If anyone has the door, has seen the door, or even bought it in good faith, Mr Sheridan is begging them to call him on 1234 567 789 or SMS a photo of the door. He says there’ll be no questions asked nor judgements made.
Mr Sheridan says the door’s already been through a lot: a hooligan once stuffed a nearby letterbox with explosives and the resulting blast hurled a brick into the frame above one of the door’s windows. Mr Sheridan decided not to repair the impact mark: the door had earned its war wound and is now part of its story.
COLIN BARNETT will plough ahead with a City of Perth Act to force the merger of Vincent and Perth, announcing his government has already started drafting a Bill.
The WA local government advisory board’s recommendation for an equal amalgamation between the two councils was rejected by the Barnett government, and the premier now plans to stitch them together via legislation.
If the LGAB’s recommendation had been adopted residents would have been allowed a vote that had the potential to stop the merger, under the Dadour poll provision.
There is no such provision under a legislative merger.
Vincent mayor John Carey is pushing for the premier to include a referendum clause in the City of Perth Act, to ensure locals have the final say, not politicians.
He also remains concerned the premier hasn’t ruled out a gerrymander to give Perth residents more voting power than Vincent residents in the merged city.
But the Bill is no sure thing in the upper house with Nationals MPs increasingly agitated about the drawn-out and controversial mergers process. If enough Nationals MLCs join Labor and the Greens they could knock it on the head.
Former Vincent councillor Ian Ker points out “nearly four out of five of those who voted in October 2013 did not want Vincent to be abolished”.
He says Vincent council’s original proposal supporting a merger “was only made in an attempt to avoid the worst aspects of proposals from the minister and the City of Perth”.
GIANT upside down lamp posts were deemed the best candidates for a $100,000 public art spend in Leederville.
The big lamps crafted by Phil and Dawn Gamblen just edged out WA sculptor Tony Jones (responsible for the Eliza statue in Matilda Bay) who’d drawn up a design for a bird-like sculpture clasping the “pulsing heart of Leederville” to its breast.
Vincent’s arty experts reckon the Gamblens’ ”imaginative, colourful artwork” will provide “cultural interest and intrigue for the benefit of the community”.
The council’s hoping part of the artwork can be paid for by money it’s expecting to come in from the upcoming Kailis development in Leederville. Under its per cent for art program developers of big projects must cough up one per cent of the total cost of any project, which goes towards public art.
The developer can choose to either spend the one per cent on art of its own choosing, or hand the cash over to the council’s pool of funds.
Perth Voice Interactive 