Latest news with #PerthNow
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Champion Lakes artist wins PerthNow x Jacksons art prize
A Champion Lakes artist who is certainly no stranger to winning over the hearts of her peers has come out on top in the PerthNow x Jacksons 70th Anniversary art prize. Experienced watercolourist Catherine Kelley delighted judges with her celebration of friend, fellow artist and Jacksons Cannington store manager Leesa Padget, excelling in interpreting the competition's brief: what her local Jacksons store and the community means to her. The judges — Jacksons general manager Scott Boercamp, renowned WA talent Leon Pericles, sculptor Georgia Zoric, and PerthNow Local editor Arylene Westlake-Jennings — were enamoured by how Kelley captured her relationship with Padget in the mixed-media artwork. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Leesa by Catherine Kelley. Credit: Supplied 'The stand-out stories for me over the judging of this competition came from the love and appreciation of the Jacksons staff over the decades,' Zoric said. 'Leesa was the embodiment of that thread of memories. A whimsical and thoughtful piece putting the staff at the centre of the Jacksons success story.' Mr Boercamp said the submission demonstrated the appreciation Jacksons' customers have for its staff. 'Our staff are so important to us, their knowledge, their passion for art and creativity; it's what makes Jacksons unique,' he said. More than 100 guests, including prominent Perth artists and Jacksons' key suppliers and partners, watched on as Kelley was presented with a $5000 cheque for the stunning piece at an exclusive soiree at Sailing for Oranges in Fremantle on Tuesday evening. 'I met Leesa at the Armadale Art Society about 20 years ago, I would guess. We were mutual artists at the society and I was president for a little while, and you can't help but get to know like-minded people.' Kelley said of her entry. 'I was inspired by her work and what she does and her hair — it's just a nest — and I couldn't help but represent that concept. And I personally love birds, so it all fell into place.' Special mentions were also made for several submissions in the art prize, including Autumn Colours by Stef Hayward, Messages & Meanings by Dorothy Davies, and Pigeons by Giorgina Pitchen, which delighted all four judges with its whimsical take on the storefront of the flagship Jacksons in Subiaco. The PerthNow x Jacksons collaboration celebrates the brand's 70th year in business, from its beginnings as a small showroom on William Street in Perth to becoming an integral part of the WA and NT art communities. Mr Boercamp reflected on the significance of the milestone, sharing his excitement for the future. 'Reaching 70 years is an incredible achievement, and I believe our commitment to providing high-quality products, which we source locally and globally, and our team's instore expertise has been a big part of our success,' he said. 'I also want to congratulate Catherine on her well-deserved win. We hope to continue this art competition as an annual tradition to further celebrate creativity in our community.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Hunt for playground axeman as families fear for kids' safety
Families in Perth's south are fearing for the safety of their children with axes and knives being thrown at targets carved into trees, just metres from a playground where used syringes have also been found lying on the grass. People living opposite Dubove Park in Spearwood told PerthNow 'there's no visible end in sight' to the antisocial behaviour in their once safe and welcoming neighbourhood. 'Good honest hard-working people live in this community; they don't deserve to have to tidy up axes, knives, shopping trolleys, rubbish and alcohol containers,' a long-term resident who asked to remain anonymous said. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'People are often observed clearly impaired, drinking, acting aggressively and throwing axes and knives in the park at trees. The City of Cockburn told PerthNow it would deploy a mobile CCTV trailer at Dubove Park to catch the axe thrower in action. Credit: Bohemia Street residents 'I went to use the playground with my children only to find a person who was very out of it on the park bench next to the playground after injecting with a syringe in the middle of the day. The syringe was on the ground below them. 'Finding used syringes uncapped in the park is a common occurrence. 'I'm deeply concerned that it's only a matter of time before a child will step on one.' The City of Cockburn told PerthNow it would deploy a mobile CCTV trailer at Dubove Park to catch the axe thrower in action. 'We have received public reports, including photographs showing damage to trees,' mayor Logan Howlett said. 'Damaging city trees breaches the city's local laws. 'Based on the photographs received, the incident may also amount to criminal damage under the Criminal Code.' A syringe seen on the floor. Credit: Supplied by residents Police confirmed two reports of people throwing items at a park on Dubove Road were made in January, but the offender was gone when officers arrived. The Spearwood local told PerthNow there had been more incidents, but continuing to file reports to either the council or police was frustrating as there was no action taken. 'It's extremely disheartening and leaves me feeling helpless, especially when previous reports have gone unaddressed,' they said. 'Basically, it goes around in circles ... each team saying the other is responsible for looking after it.' They said Dubove Park was a 'safe and 'welcoming' place before a social housing complex was built nearby. 'Elderly residents who regularly gathered at the park in the evenings have since stopped due to safety concerns,' they said. 'It used to have a family and united community feel, but this has been taken away. Many residents are afraid ... there's no visible end in sight.'
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Spearwood residents fear for safety as axes and knives thrown at Dubove Park trees, metres from playground
Families in Perth's south are fearing for the safety of their children with axes and knives being thrown at targets carved into trees, just metres from a playground where used syringes have also been found lying on the grass. People living opposite Dubove Park in Spearwood told PerthNow 'there's no visible end in sight' to the antisocial behaviour in their once safe and welcoming neighbourhood. 'Good honest hard-working people live in this community; they don't deserve to have to tidy up axes, knives, shopping trolleys, rubbish and alcohol containers,' a long-term resident who asked to remain anonymous said. 'People are often observed clearly impaired, drinking, acting aggressively and throwing axes and knives in the park at trees. 'I went to use the playground with my children only to find a person who was very out of it on the park bench next to the playground after injecting with a syringe in the middle of the day. The syringe was on the ground below them. 'Finding used syringes uncapped in the park is a common occurrence. 'I'm deeply concerned that it's only a matter of time before a child will step on one.' The City of Cockburn told PerthNow it would deploy a mobile CCTV trailer at Dubove Park to catch the axe thrower in action. 'We have received public reports, including photographs showing damage to trees,' mayor Logan Howlett said. 'Damaging city trees breaches the city's local laws. 'Based on the photographs received, the incident may also amount to criminal damage under the Criminal Code.' Police confirmed two reports of people throwing items at a park on Dubove Road were made in January, but the offender was gone when officers arrived. The Spearwood local told PerthNow there had been more incidents, but continuing to file reports to either the council or police was frustrating as there was no action taken. 'It's extremely disheartening and leaves me feeling helpless, especially when previous reports have gone unaddressed,' they said. 'Basically, it goes around in circles ... each team saying the other is responsible for looking after it.' They said Dubove Park was a 'safe and 'welcoming' place before a social housing complex was built nearby. 'Elderly residents who regularly gathered at the park in the evenings have since stopped due to safety concerns,' they said. 'It used to have a family and united community feel, but this has been taken away. Many residents are afraid ... there's no visible end in sight.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Mum forced to defend decision to share photo of deceased son
WARNING: SENSITIVE CONTENT An Australian influencer has been forced to defend her decision to share a photo of her deceased baby online after receiving backlash from her followers. Veruca Salt posted the picture of her late baby son, Cash, as her lay embalmed in his coffin to her Instagram stories on Tuesday. The post sparked heated debate online, with some defending Veruca's decision, while others found the photo to be too confronting to be shared to the internet. The Gold Coast influencer has since spoken her truth and addressed the torrent of hate she received in the wake of the post. 'Ya'll come onto a grieving mothers Instagram and be shocked when you see that there is actually a dead baby. Genuine question, are you stupid? Are you slow?' she said in a video posted to Instagram stories. 'You want me to explain in detail the horrible things that have happened. How did he die? What happened with your baby daddy? . . . .But then you bitch and moan when you actually see it. 'He's embalmed in a coffin and he looks beautiful, so you can suck it.' Many of the people who spoke out against Veruca took issue with the photo because they claim they were not presented with a content warning before the image appeared on their screen. A sensitive content warning has since been added to the photo, warning users the image may be upsetting. Veruca's post addressing the backlash. Credit: Instagram In a follow-up Instagram story, Veruca wrote an emotional response to air her experience as a grieving mother. 'I'm triggered every time I hear a mum complain about her baby being sick, pretending her kid having a cold is similar to them dying,' she wrote. 'I'm triggered at every pregnancy announcement, every birth video, every video of an older sibling meeting the new baby at the hospital, every video of a baby with their mum. 'My son's death isn't about you.' Cash was just six weeks old when he tragically died of sudden infant death syndrome in February last year. PerthNow has contacted Veruca for comment. Lifeline: 13 11 14.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Complete sham': Track plans spark protests at Optus Stadium
The Save Burswood Park Alliance has labelled recent community consultation about the Burswood racetrack a 'sham'. It claims the tender for the project was issued well before consultation had begun and closed before it had been completed. Hundreds of people attended community feedback sessions from last Thursday to Sunday, sharing their ideas and thoughts on the released plans for the new Perth entertainment and sporting precinct for Burswood Park. Your local paper, whenever you want it. A statement released by Save Burswood Park Alliance said the sessions were 'set up with only a basic 'cartoon' layout of the development and with government staff unable to answer targeted questions relating to track design and construction, noise modelling, and plant and animal surveys'. It said many people were agitated and vocal about the 'lack of information available'. Save Burswood Park Alliance co-chair Robin Harvey said Landsdale MLA Daniel Pastorelli, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, had attended all four sessions as the government's spokesman and in discussions about the racetrack he repeatedly said it was a non-negotiable part of the project. Protestors at a drop in session for the Entertainment and Sporting Precinct at Burswood Park. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian 'What is the point of community consultation when the community's main objection is dismissed like that?' Dr Harvey said. 'Real community consultation involves the community and all other stakeholders from the beginning. 'This V8 Supercars proposal was presented to us as a fait accompli. The consultation is clearly a complete sham.' Mr Pastorelli told PerthNow the program of consultation had been extensive and had welcomed discussions with all interested residents and relevant stakeholders. 'The drop-in sessions have been a key element of the consultation. The sessions were respectful and we received constructive and beneficial feedback,' he said. 'I have personally been undertaking a range of face-to-face meetings with residents and stakeholders including key community residents, which will continue over coming weeks. 'The community feedback is essential in informing the design and delivery of the new precinct.' Mr Pastorelli acknowledged some residents may have wanted more specific information but said the project was not yet at that stage. Part of the protest at the drop-in session for the entertainment and sporting precinct at Burswood Park. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian 'We are currently in the consultation phase and detailed design is yet to be completed — noting a contract for design has not been awarded,' he said. 'The project team comprised of public servants do a remarkable job day-in-day-out and we thank those people who were respectful in their engagement with them at the drop-in sessions.' Mr Pastorelli said Indigenous consultation to help with design had started. 'Initial consultation has been held with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, and a cultural advisory group to provide cultural advice during design development will be established,' he said. Dr Harvey said the Alliance agreed with the project's planned landscape improvements and outdoor amphitheatre, although there were concerns about its scope and size. Protesters against the plans rallied at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon hoping to catch people attending an AFL game. Community consultation for the project will continue in the upcoming weeks.
