Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time We’re bringing our live blog to a close for today a quick reminder that early voting centres are not open on Anzac Day or on Sunday so make sure you check beforehand if you intend to head out to vote Thank you for joining us and have a lovely weekend A 54-year-old man has died after falling from an e-scooter and onto the road while riding along Devenish Street in East Victoria Park The man was conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment on April 12 Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are now appealing for help from the public to work our what happened They have urged any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at crimestopperswa.com.au Dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Devenish Street in East Victoria Park between 3.30pm and 4.00pm on April 12, can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link And WA Police have launched an appeal for information after a lone heckler interrupted the Welcome to Country at the Kings Park dawn service when an unknown man was heard yelling obscenities while Noongar Elder and former soldier Di Ryder gave the traditional welcome Bystanders called on the man to refrain from yelling and is understood to have left the scene a short time later.In a statement released on Friday WA Police said inquiries were continuing into the incident “The ANZAC Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behaviour at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,” a WA Police spokesperson said Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the booing and heckling on display at the Melbourne and Perth dawn services today as “an act of low cowardice” “What occurred at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and Kings Park in Perth was a disgrace “There is no place in Australia for what occurred The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,” he said in Canberra “This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage.” White supremacist Jacob Hersant has been named as the man who booed during the Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance He was escorted away by police and is expected to be charged a lone heckler interrupted the Welcome to Country at the dawn service at Kings Park by shouting obscenities The PM said Anzac Day was a day to “come together to remember all those who have served our country in war and the cause of peace” “As our nation comes together in gratitude we reiterate our commitment to providing the care and recognition our veterans and their families deserve “The words that matter today are the simple and sacred promise Australians repeated in their millions Terry Newman was just 19-years-old when he found himself more than 5000 kilometres from home in South Vietnam would soon be on the front line in the longest and bloodiest battle for Australia of the 12-year-long Vietnam War Rod Beazley and Kevin Hastie following the Anzac Day march.Credit: Jesinta Burton Twenty-six Australians perished and more than 100 were wounded during the Battle of Coral–Balmoral which raged for 26 days between May and June in 1968 against the North Vietnamese Army “It was pretty hairy at times,” Newman says pointing to the green Unit Citation for Gallantry pin he was awarded on the 50th anniversary of the battle “There were some pretty ferocious battles during the time that I was there who was only a few years older at the time the former president of the Bicton/Palmyra RSL Sub-Branch said it was the sense of camaraderie among the Australian soldier’s that helped him to persevere helped each other and backed each other up “It was the camaraderie – we were all very close-knit And that’s the story of the Australian Army across the years.” old blokes like Kevin looked after young blokes like me,” Terry quipped “I think it might have been the other way around,” Hastie joked Hastie said he was pleased to see so many young people among the thousands of people lining the streets of St Georges Terrace for the annual Anzac Day march “You hope that spirit is still going to be there when we go,” he said a man has died after being hit by a car along Herdsman Parade in Wembley in a suspected hit-and-run on Thursday night the pedestrian was struck by an unknown vehicle Police and St John WA attended the scene and the man was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment but later died as a result of his injuries Major Crash investigators are urging any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au Anyone with dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Herdsman Parade between 6.20pm and 6.30pm on is urged to upload this vision directly to investigators via this link If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814 and an Albany father who set fire to his home while his children were still inside has been jailed for eight years a judge commended the police officers who risked their lives to save those children You can hear more about what happened below The footage may be distressing for some viewers Not everyone was able to make it to a dawn service this morning Marine Rescue volunteer Patrick played Waltzing Matilda on the bagpipes St Georges Terrace would be bustling with people making their way to the office Thousands have gathered for the Anzac Day march But the only traffic in the central business district today are serving members and veterans who are preparing to lead the annual Anzac Day March The streets are lined with thousands of people who have gathered to pay their respects many of whom made the trip down from Kings Park – the site of the state’s largest Anzac Day ceremony RSL WA estimated there are around 25,000 veterans in Western Australia with up to 10,000 being deployed since 1999 Here are some pictures of the Anzac Day event held at Kings Park this morning A man pays his respects at the Kings Park Service.Credit: Colin Murty Crowds gathered at the Anzac Day dawn service at Kings Park.Credit: Colin Murty Daphne Langdon with a photo of Douglas Hughes who passed in Afghanistan aged 26.Credit: Colin Murty WA Premier Roger Cook walks out to lay a wreath.Credit: Colin Murty Basil Zempilas and Michaelia Cash lay a wreath.Credit: Colin Murty We\\u2019re bringing our live blog to a close for today Dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Devenish Street in East Victoria Park between 3.30pm and 4.00pm on April 12 can be uploaded directly to investigators \\u201CThe ANZAC Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behaviour at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,\\u201D a WA Police spokesperson said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the booing and heckling on display at the Melbourne and Perth dawn services today as \\u201Can act of low cowardice\\u201D \\u201CWhat occurred at Melbourne\\u2019s Shrine of Remembrance and Kings Park in Perth was a disgrace \\u201CThere is no place in Australia for what occurred and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,\\u201D he said in Canberra \\u201CThis was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage.\\u201D White supremacist Jacob Hersant has been during the Welcome to Country at Melbourne\\u2019s Shrine of Remembrance The PM said Anzac Day was a day to \\u201Ccome together to remember all those who have served our country in war and the cause of peace\\u201D \\u201CAs our nation comes together in gratitude \\u201CWe honour all whom have volunteered \\u201CThe words that matter today are the simple and sacred promise Australians repeated in their millions but the member of the \\u2018A\\u2019 Squadron Twenty-six Australians perished and more than 100 were wounded during the Battle of Coral\\u2013Balmoral \\u201CIt was pretty hairy at times,\\u201D Newman says \\u201CThere were some pretty ferocious battles during the time that I was there the former president of the Bicton/Palmyra RSL Sub-Branch said it was the sense of camaraderie among the Australian soldier\\u2019s that helped him to persevere \\u201CIt was the camaraderie \\u2013 we were all very close-knit And that\\u2019s the story of the Australian Army across the years.\\u201D old blokes like Kevin looked after young blokes like me,\\u201D Terry quipped \\u201CI think it might have been the other way around,\\u201D Hastie joked \\u201CYou hope that spirit is still going to be there when we go,\\u201D he said Anyone with dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Herdsman Parade between 6.20pm and 6.30pm on is urged to upload this vision directly to investigators many of whom made the trip down from Kings Park \\u2013 the site of the state\\u2019s largest Anzac Day ceremony Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company. The ethereal English singer-songwriter brings her mesmerising presence to Australian audiences in a show that is part theatre and part concert. More PJ Harvey As I drove back from PJ Harvey’s concert on Tuesday night, the towering trees of Kings Park standing watch, the only word that kept rolling around in my mind was mesmerising. I had heard this word several times that evening, and each time, it felt entirely apt.  The first time came when an elegantly dressed elderly woman by the water fountain described the Kings Park and Botanic Garden venue as mesmerising. I couldn’t help but agree. Nestled beneath the trees, with the pond beside us, the crowd sat on chairs and picnic blankets, wine bottles and cheese platters in hand. It was an effortlessly classy crowd, made up of older couples, groups of friends, and younger bohemian types—the kind of folk you’d find barefoot wandering through a hemp shop. The second mesmerising came after Mick Turner’s stripped-back guitar performance. A bald, middle-aged man in a black skull shirt turned to me, wide-eyed, and called it mesmerising. Once again, I found myself nodding in agreement although I did not say anything.  Then, the third and most surprising, mesmerising came when I glanced at my mum, just five minutes into PJ Harvey’s performance. She was completely entranced, locked into the music, her eyes fixed on the stage. Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter The only word she could muster was: mesmerising. Harvey’s stage setup hinted that the evening would blur the lines between concert and theatre. A simple wooden desk, chairs, and tables with drinks perched on them suggested something intimate, something more. And as the night unfolded, Harvey’s performance felt exactly like that—an immersive piece of theatre with a musical core. At times, she’d sit down at the desk, singing while mimicking the act of writing poetry. She is currently in Australia to perform I Inside The Old Year Dying, her album released in July 2023. The first half of the set was devoted to this album in full—a theatrical experience, one that felt like she was embodying a character. Inspired by her own poetry, this album conjures a hallucinatory dreamscape, weaving folk instruments, primitive electronics, and distorted field recordings into an intoxicating sound. At times, it felt as though Harvey herself had transformed into an ethereal creature, her audience drawn in, captivated by her every move. Beginning with Prayer At The Gate, the opening track of the album, Harvey exuded the kind of worldly confidence you can only gain after thirty-five years of performing. Her voice—a delicate, haunting thing—floated effortlessly through the high notes, and with every passing song, her mastery became even more apparent. She shared that the album had taken its time to come together, inspired by the epic poem Orlam and drawing from a vast array of influences, including actors Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, Paddington, Fargo) and Colin Morgan (Merlin, Belfast), who also contributed backing vocals. The poetry embedded in her lyrics is a thing of beauty—carefully sculpted and brimming with evocative imagery. Lines like, “Slip from my childhood skin; I zing through the forest, I hover in the holway and laugh into the leaves” left me wondering how many hours of meticulous crafting went into such a piece. Throughout the set, there were moments of deafening silence from the audience—especially during the stripped-back The Desperate Kingdom Of Love, where Harvey, alone with an acoustic guitar, filled the air with aching solitude. At the start of the performance, Harvey wore a white cape, its back adorned with hand-drawn sketches. After the first half, she finished with A Noiseless Noise before leaving the stage. Her band members took centre stage for a brief performance of their own. It became evident that Harvey had chosen to remain mostly silent throughout the show. She didn’t address the crowd for much of the night, a decision that was likely intentional. When she finally spoke, near the end of the set, it was to express her gratitude: “This has been a long time coming. Thank you. You all have been coming to see me for such a long time, so thank you for continuing to be interested in coming to see me,” she said, adding, “It’s a real honour to have spent the past few days here. Thank you.” For some, the lack of early engagement might have seemed distant, even cold, but it became clear that Harvey’s art speaks for itself. Unlike many artists who greet the crowd with the usual stock standard pleasantries, Harvey lets the music do the talking. The set was a powerhouse—twenty-five songs, including five encores such as C’mon Billy, Horses In My Dreams, and The Community Of Hope. Her range was breathtaking, moving from soft spoken word moments to intense, emotionally charged performances. The crowd responded eagerly, particularly to classics like Down By The Water, which fit seamlessly into her ethereal aesthetic. Harvey has a way of weaving mystery into everything she does: you feel like her lyrics offer a glimpse into her world, but never quite all of it—and that, she makes clear, is exactly how she wants it. The hour-and-a-half concert encapsulated everything you’d hope for in a PJ Harvey performance: otherworldly, mysterious, and deeply affecting. She is an artist in the truest sense—one whose talent seems to ooze from every pore. She belongs in the same conversation as icons like Kate Bush, Fiona Apple, Björk, Joni Mitchell, Sinead O’Connor, and Patti Smith—but she’s undeniably her own. Harvey exists in a realm apart from most artists performing today. There’s something intoxicating about her voice, her presence, her performance. It’s a puzzle I’m still trying to piece together, but all I know is that, for an hour and a half, I, along with thousands of others, sat utterly spellbound. Perhaps mesmerising doesn’t even begin to cover it.  as the first light breaks over Kings Park in the heart of Perth tens of thousands gather in solemn unity for the Anzac Day Dawn Service broken only by birdsong and the quiet murmur of the crowd is a sacred space—a moment of remembrance shared by people of all ages and backgrounds reflecting on the immense effort it takes to bring the event together                                 Advertisement Standing on the hilltop as the crowd gathers in the chill of dawn Anderson admits it’s one of the rare times he finds a moment of solitude “It’s probably one of the few times I get to just be with myself,” he says “A nice time to sit and consider all the good things we have in Australia—even the brisk morning temperatures.” Even after more than a century of commemorations at Kings Park the crowds keep coming—young children clinging to parents’ coats “It’s wonderful,” Anderson says with a warm smile Anderson shrugs off questions about attendance numbers                                       advertisement until someone figures out how to count in the dark if just one person showed up to commemorate Anzac Day the morning wasn’t without its blemishes A heckler reportedly disrupted the Welcome to Country ceremony echoing unfortunate incidents in other cities Anderson didn’t shy away from addressing it Anzac Day is about bringing people together,” he said backgrounds—it’s about service to Australia There’s just no place for that kind of behavior.” After a few brief moments to reconnect with his children and perhaps grab a bacon and egg roll and a cup of coffee he’s off again—attending the March along St George’s Terrace the traditional Anzac Day match at Optus Stadium Representing the RSL is a duty I take seriously and I’m looking forward to the rest of the day.” You must be logged in to post a comment WAMN ESHOP Dismiss Fremantle co-vice-captain Caleb Serong has highlighted the inconsistency of the season as a pain point for both the playing and coaching group Fremantle Senior Coach Justin Longmuir says accountability key after Saints defeat A disappointing night for Fremantle saw the Club suffer a heavy loss, kicking just 33 points See all the photos from main training as Shai Bolton trained in purple for the very first time. Thursday's Round 9 clash with Collingwood marks our annual Purple Hands Foundation game, where the Club and Purple Hands will be raising funds to make sure no young person is left behind. Vice Captain Caleb Serong speaks to the media ahead of our clash with Collingwood in the Purple Hands game this Thursday at Optus Hear from Senior Coach JL following our loss to St Kilda Swita spoke in the rooms post-game following the Round 8 clash against St Kilda Fremantle have confirmed their final team of 23 to take on St Kilda in Friday night’s Round 8 clash The Fremantle Football Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, waterways and skies on which we live and play our great game here in Perth, the Whadjuk People of the Noongar Boodja and acknowledge their continuing connection to Country and culture. We pay respect to Elders past and present, senior knowledge holders and those following in their footsteps, and extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Australia. Sabrina will be taking your gardening questions in person for Roots and Shoots and Tets will be talking to the key players involved in the wildflower festival itself – you’ll get to meet those people and ask them questions too They’ll have tips about what to see and do for the festival and advise you about your own garden like when and how to plant your everlastings So come and see the Kings Park wildflower displays on Tuesday and say hi – Tets will be there from 12.30-3.30pm You can find him in the shade of the Wildflower Pavilion which is near the boab tree and it’s where the Horticulture Helpdesk is [Kings Park Map] audio and on-demand video streaming from the nation's most trusted broadcaster Upper Ferntree Gully’s Kings Park is one of 26 parks set to get a major upgrade making it an even more welcoming spot for locals – and their beloved furry friends The designs of the parks will follow community consultation and will include things including designated play areas as well as other upgrades such as pathway improvements The State Government has awarded Knox City Council $300,000 to help bring a new dog-friendly park to life The existing off-leash area will be transformed into a safe The upgrade is part of the New and Upgraded Dog Parks Program a state-wide initiative that’s investing $4.9 million to build or improve 26 dog parks across Victoria Kings Park was selected through a competitive application process with construction expected to wrap up by the end of 2026 Lisa Cooper said it’s a win that hits close to home “Our residents love their pets and we have about 16,640 registered dogs in Knox,” Ms Cooper said “That’s why we’re creating a secure space where residents can take their four-legged friends to safely run and play.” enjoyable and inclusive space where families children and dog owners can come together and enjoy the outdoors.” “The park will be carefully designed to foster a sense of community promote physical activity and enhance the overall recreational experience for visitors.” This is all part of a bigger picture for Kings Park with the dog park upgrade tying into Knox Council’s long-term comprehensive plan to make the space even more family-friendly Steve Dimopoulos said the program is about giving people more reasons to get outside and enjoy time with their pets close to home “We’re ensuring that Victorians – two and four-legged alike – have more opportunities to connect “These dog parks cater for all kinds of pooches socialise with their furry friends or take it slow in the seniors section there is something for every dog and its owner.” 50 dog parks have already been completed across the state – from suburban backyards in Pakenham to regional hubs like Mildura this project is more than just a park upgrade – it’s a new meeting place To find out more about the program or see the full list of parks An elderly woman was strangled and another forced to eat dog biscuits during a spate of violent attacks at a Perth war memorial The women were victims of three separate attacks near the War Memorial in Kings Park on Saturday police allege a woman aged in her 50s was indecently assaulted by an unknown woman who then threw her mobile phone into water was walking her dog near the memorial when she was allegedly kicked and punched a number of times before being struck with a water bottle to her face Her attacker then allegedly forced dog biscuits into her mouth after kicking the dog police say a woman aged in her 70s was also set upon when she visited the memorial It’s alleged she was indecently assaulted by a woman who then put her arm around her neck causing her to have difficulty breathing WA police arrested a 41-year-old woman at the scene and charged her with a number of offences including unlawful and indecent assault and cruelty to animals She was refused bail and was expected to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Sunday afternoon It\\u2019s alleged she was indecently assaulted by a woman Perth’s Kings Park (Kaarta Koomba) one of the world’s largest inner-city parks has been named as Australia’s top attraction in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards The park features the spectacular Western Australia Botanic Garden which displays more than 3,000 species of the state’s unique flora gardens and various children’s play areas that can keep guests busy for hours during their visit Two thirds of the 400-hectare park is protected as bushland and provides a haven for native biological diversity Gastronomy – There are plenty of food and beverage options at Kings Park such as the Botanical Cafe Shopping – The park is the perfect place for visitors to find something special for their homes or gardens with various plant and trinket sellers Tours – Visitors can enjoy a wide array of activities such as Volunteer Guide tours Events and Functions – Guests can also book venues for special events with the multiple pavilions and event areas that can hold up to 250 people This award places the spotlight on the highest rated and reviewed destinations and travel experiences around the world. Kings Park and Botanic Gardens claims this spot ahead of other well-known attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge A Brazilian national who is in Australia on a temporary visa has faced court over the death of a woman at Kings Park on Tuesday did not apply for bail when he came before a Perth magistrate on Wednesday after being charged with driving dangerously causing death by aggravation Perth Magistrates CourtCredit: Elliahn Blenkinsop The court was told the 30-year-old allegedly drove 30km/h or more above the speed limit just before 7am on Kings Park Road when he was captured on CCTV swerving and overtaking cars in his Toyota Yaris He was allegedly travelling at 104km/h in a 60km/h zone when several witnesses allege they saw Martins Da Silva swerve into a right-hand lane to overtake another vehicle The court was told 67-year-old Brenda Joanne Walker was crossing the road from the median strip when Martins Da Silva hit her Walker was found 40 metres up the road from where she was struck and later died in hospital from her injuries The court was told a blood sample had been taken from Martins Da Silva at the time of the incident to determine if drugs or alcohol were a factor His lawyer made an application for bail during his first appearance in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday The court was told he has no past convictions in Australia and had no ties to the country Prosecutors told the court the allegations were significant given the witnesses and CCTV footage and said there was a high likelihood of imprisonment following a conviction Martins Da Silva was remanded in custody and will be back before the court on January 29 Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. A Brazilian national who is in Australia on a temporary visa has faced court over the death of a woman at Kings Park on Tuesday. Lucas Martins Da Silva, a carpenter who lives in Osborne Park, did not apply for bail when he came before a Perth magistrate on Wednesday after being charged with driving dangerously causing death by aggravation. The court was told the 30-year-old allegedly drove 30km/h or more above the speed limit just before 7am on Kings Park Road when he was captured on CCTV swerving and overtaking cars in his Toyota Yaris. He was allegedly travelling at 104km/h in a 60km/h zone when several witnesses allege they saw Martins Da Silva swerve into a right-hand lane to overtake another vehicle. The court was told 67-year-old Brenda Joanne Walker was crossing the road from the median strip when Martins Da Silva hit her, allegedly while driving at 97km/h. Walker was found 40 metres up the road from where she was struck and later died in hospital from her injuries. The court was told a blood sample had been taken from Martins Da Silva at the time of the incident to determine if drugs or alcohol were a factor. His lawyer made an application for bail during his first appearance in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, but it was later withdrawn. The court was told he has no past convictions in Australia and had no ties to the country, as he was here on a temporary visa. Prosecutors told the court the allegations were significant, given the witnesses and CCTV footage and said there was a high likelihood of imprisonment following a conviction. Martins Da Silva was remanded in custody and will be back before the court on January 29. Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. . AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Scroll down for all the latest news and views Join us tomorrow for more politics coverage and for live updates on the Pope’s funeral SHAREFacebookLinkedInXEmail UsCopy the LinkCopy Link Linda Reynolds is suing the Federal Government over the $2.4 million settlement it reached with her former staffer Brittany Higgins over its handling of her alleged rape at Parliament House The outgoing Senator’s legal action is also against law firm HWL Ebsworth Senator Reynolds’ lawyer Martin Bennett has confirmed that the writ was filed late on Thursday in the Federal Court but sealed copies had not yet been issued to the respondents Read the full story WA Police have confirmed they have launched an investigation after a heckler disrupted a Welcome to Country ceremony during the Anzac Day dawn service on Friday The man could be heard yelling a racist remark as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services of WA president Di Ryder performed the ceremony at the State War Memorial at Kings Park during this morning’s Anzac Day Dawn Service in Kings Park an unknown man was heard yelling during the proceedings,” a police spokeswoman said “Bystanders asked the man to refrain from yelling “The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behaviour at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police.” The spokeswoman said: “Inquiries are ongoing.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly condemned the “disgraceful” actions at Anzac Day dawn services in Melbourne and Perth Speaking from Parliament House on Friday afternoon Mr Albanese said there was “no place in Australia for what occurred” “The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law This was an act of low cowardice,” he said “On a day when we honour courage and sacrifice Anzac Day is when we come together to remember all those who have served our country in war and in the cause of peace.” He said as the nation comes together in gratitude Australia reiterates its commitment to caring recognising and supporting veterans and their families including First Nations Australians,” he said “The words that matter today are the simple and sacred promise that Australians repeated in their millions: Lest we Forget.” “The spirit of Anzac is alive in modern Australia That spirit has carried us from 1915 to today,” Gov Mostyn said “Through Australia’s deployment to other theatres of war and in Australia’s participation in vital peacekeeping missions where we have contributed in every year since 1947 “It is embodied in the service women and men of our Australian Defence Force and in their families “It is also vibrant in our communities more broadly kindness and respect performed in the service of others “The monumental loss and terrible sadness of Gallipoli has altered our hearts and minds across generations “We mourn the horror of war and the loss of so many and cherish the Anzac story “Certain that in the words of one young Australian - commemoration can inspire Australia’s potential to be brave and extraordinary “What happened here 110 years ago is a constant call knock about mates and countrymen carried with them the hope energy and the certainty of youth and a deeply felt sense of duty to their countries,” Gov “They had travelled great distances both within and beyond Australia and New Zealand’s shores to reach this place Gallipoli became a familiar terrain of fear “Their words and often those they couldn’t bring themselves to write reveal the most ordinary of human emotions longing and shock at their dire circumstances They wrote of the bodies of their fallen brothers and the names of those who were missing at roll call “They spoke of the care and concern for their mates and how much they missed the simple pleasures of home and yearned deeply for loved ones often leaving notes that in the event of their death their diaries were to find their way to their mothers “These ordinary men met the most challenging of circumstances in the most extraordinary ways.” And certainly there were incredible acts of extraordinary valour “Stories of exceptional courage and sacrifice that have resounded the generations the larrikin and so many of the characters we all recognise Look around you now and you see the same characteristics amongst us here today.” we honour our beloved sons who fought and died in war Just as it was to the troops who came ashore on this day 110 years ago we stood on the shore of Anzac Cove with our feet in the water it was impossible for us to put ourselves in the boots of those soldiers “Where we experienced the peace of the gentle lapping of the shore and the beautiful bird song we hear right now they encountered the fury and the maelstrom of bullets and shrapnel.” Governor General Sam Mostyn is speaking in Gallipoli representing Australia at the international event it is an honour to be here to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings,” Gen “It is a privilege to join the very many Australians and New Zealanders who have travelled here for this historic moment Some of whom I met briefly in Istanbul just a few days ago “Just as many thousands of Australians and New Zealanders have done over so many years who have long welcomed us to this sacred ground We are grateful for your continued warmth and extraordinary generosity.” he became the first Victorian to be found guilty of carrying out the nazi salute he said he doesn’t feel shame and intends to continue performing the gesture Magistrate Brett Sonnet in October 2024 found neo-nazi Jacob Hersant intentionally performed the salute on October 27 about six days after Victorian laws banning the gesture came into effect Video played to Melbourne Magistrates Court showed Hersant raising his arm to salute in front of journalists and camera crews outside the County Court He was then captured saying “nearly did it - it’s illegal now” and “Australia for the white man claiming he did not perform the sieg heil and the charge was constitutionally invalid as the gesture was a legitimate form of political expression But Mr Sonnet found Hersant was guilty of performing a gesture that so nearly resembled a nazi salute that it could have been viewed as such Read more. Latest EditionEdition Edition 5 May 20255 May 2025All-powerful Anthony Albanese says give me some R.E.S.P.E.C.T Get the first look at the digital newspaper curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox The 2025 season of Lightscape promises to be bigger with the 2km trail becoming a luminous wonderland with more than twenty displays set to transform the WA Botanic Gardens including new works from around the world With more than 300,000 visitors enchanted by Lightscape’s Perth winter wonderland over the last two years the brilliant new 2025 trail will offer a truly unique experience for visitors past and new with the season running from Friday Nine Perth’s Head of Marketing & Communications said: “To see thousands of excited families descend upon Kings Park and the Botanic Gardens each year for Lightscape is astounding It is a mighty event and Nine Perth is privileged to be Lightscape’s chosen media partner this year reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting the WA community.” Tickets to Lightscape are on-sale from today, via Ticketek. and website in this browser for the next time I comment Register for Free and receive the Campaign Brief Daily Bulletin Type your email address in the space below 6 March 2025 | Tennis West After the long weekend bye, State League returns for one final week before the finals commence.   In the men’s competition, Cottesloe locked away top spot and a home semi final after defeating Peppermint Grove 4-2 while Royal Kings Park and Mt Lawley/Sorrento edged out competitive UWA and Alexander Park sides to win an important game and hold onto their finals spot. The women’s competition saw Hensman Park and Royal Kings Park bounce back while Cottesloe made it back-to-back wins and clenched a home semi final.  A reminder that each rubber win is worth two points, while a match win is worth four points. Teams can win a maximum of 16 points per match.  Royal Kings Park v Mt Lawley/Sorrento at Royal Kings Park Tennis Club  For Royal Kings Park, there is a chance the home side can leapfrog Mt Lawley/Sorrento if they win 6-0 which would mean they play Peppermint Grove instead of ladder leaders Cottesloe in the semi final.  These two sides met back in round 5 with Mt Lawley/Sorrento winning 5-1. Luca Katsamakis from Mt Lawley/Sorrento has been the form player of late with a winning streak of two matches in singles and was the finalist in the State Closed Championships over the long weekend. Teammate Kendrick Chia has also had an impressive run, winning his last three matches playing in the number four spot.  For Royal Kings Park, their number one man Hans Bustiman has had an excellent start to the year winning all three of his singles matches as well as winning the singles State Closed Championship over the long weekend. Zach Itzstein has also shown some form as of late with back-to-back wins in rounds 8 and 9.  Dalkeith v Alexander Park at Dalkeith Tennis Club  Last time these two sides met, Dalkeith prevailed, winning 5-1. Dalkeith has depth with 5-6 players regularly playing throughout the season. Hayley Burton is the form player for Dalkeith, winning her last two singles matches while for Alexander Park, it’s been a year of development with youngsters Isla and Kendal Macdonald, Claudia SHearwood and captain Jana Ruzic all getting experience this season.  Play Duration: 3 minutes 2 seconds3m 2sBrought to you by A trial of short-stay accommodation at tiny cabins in Kings Park has ended - and the Friends of Kings Park have received an overwhelming response to a public survey on the trial. Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio Kings Park & Botanic Garden is lighting up Perth for the third year running as they prepare to bring a whole new perspective to the installation with more than 20 light displays centred around this year’s theme: Pollinators Designed to showcase the incredible biodiversity of the gardens the 2025 Lightscape trail will take patrons on a journey of the grounds from a bug’s perspective Running from June 13 – July 27 every Wednesday-Sunday there’s plenty of time to make your way to the installation but tickets are limited so we recommend booking in advance Families will be able to secure passes to this newfound Perth winter tradition for under $100 on selected nights Lightscape 2025 also welcomes the global smash hit installation Submergence an immersive walkthrough experience that needs to be seen to be believed The two kilometre trail is set to include fiery nightbirds and giant bush blossoms – with a special focus on this year’s Pollinators theme this luminous wonder aims to entertain and educate event goers Sue McDougall said the new installations aims to celebrate the special relationship between plants and insects that are so vital to our ecosystem “More than 300,000 visitors have been enchanted by Lightscape’s winter wonderland over the last two years and we’re excited to being a brilliant new trail in 2025 that will thrill visitors all over again,” she said Lightscape has everyone covered when it comes to food and beverages from toasted marshmallows to mulled wine – whatever tickles your fancy there’s something to snack or sip on as you explore the gardens like you’ve never seen them before Kings Park & Botanic Garden are also calling for budding young artists to bring to light crafty flora and fauna creations for their chance to be featured in the Lightscape lantern show. School aged children are encouraged to paint or draw their favourite bird or bug and to submit their masterpiece by March 31 here To find out more about Lightscape visit their website and secure tickets here Anyone with dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Herdsman Parade between 6.20pm and 6.30pm on is urged to upload this vision directly to investigators via this link. If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash, contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814. Turning away from Anzac Day coverage now, and an Albany father who set fire to his home while his children were still inside has been jailed for eight years. During sentencing on Thursday, a judge commended the police officers who risked their lives to save those children. You can hear more about what happened below. The footage may be distressing for some viewers. Not everyone was able to make it to a dawn service this morning, but there were other ways to pay tribute. As the sun rose, Marine Rescue volunteer Patrick played Waltzing Matilda on the bagpipes, aboard the rescue vessel he works on. On any other weekday, St Georges Terrace would be bustling with people making their way to the office. Thousands have gathered for the Anzac Day march. Credit: Jesinta Burton But the only traffic in the central business district today are serving members and veterans, who are preparing to lead the annual Anzac Day March. The streets are lined with thousands of people who have gathered to pay their respects, many of whom made the trip down from Kings Park – the site of the state’s largest Anzac Day ceremony. RSL WA estimated there are around 25,000 veterans in Western Australia, with up to 10,000 being deployed since 1999. Here are some pictures of the Anzac Day event held at Kings Park this morning. Daphne Langdon with a photo of Douglas Hughes, who passed in Afghanistan aged 26.Credit: Colin Murty We\\u2019re bringing our live blog to a close for today. In case you\\u2019ve just tuned in, here\\u2019s a recap of the headlines: And, on a final note, a quick reminder that early voting centres are not open on Anzac Day or on Sunday, April 27. Most locations are open on Saturday, but not all, so make sure you check beforehand if you intend to head out to vote. Thank you for joining us and have a lovely weekend. A 54-year-old man has died after falling from an e-scooter and onto the road while riding along Devenish Street in East Victoria Park. The man was conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment on April 12, after the incident occurred, but later died. Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are now appealing for help from the public to work our what happened. They have urged any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at crimestopperswa.com.au. Dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Devenish Street in East Victoria Park between 3.30pm and 4.00pm on April 12, can be uploaded directly to investigators . And WA Police have launched an appeal for information after a lone heckler interrupted the Welcome to Country at the Kings Park dawn service. The incident occurred shortly before 6am, when an unknown man was heard yelling obscenities while Noongar Elder and former soldier Di Ryder gave the traditional welcome. Bystanders called on the man to refrain from yelling, and is understood to have left the scene a short time later.In a statement released on Friday, WA Police said inquiries were continuing into the incident. \\u201CThe ANZAC Day service is a solemn commemoration, and any disorderly behaviour at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,\\u201D a WA Police spokesperson said. Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the booing and heckling on display at the Melbourne and Perth dawn services today as \\u201Can act of low cowardice\\u201D. \\u201CWhat occurred at Melbourne\\u2019s Shrine of Remembrance and Kings Park in Perth was a disgrace. \\u201CThere is no place in Australia for what occurred. The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt, and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,\\u201D he said in Canberra. White supremacist Jacob Hersant has been during the Welcome to Country at Melbourne\\u2019s Shrine of Remembrance. He was escorted away by police and is expected to be charged. In Perth, a lone heckler interrupted the Welcome to Country at the dawn service at Kings Park by shouting obscenities. The PM said Anzac Day was a day to \\u201Ccome together to remember all those who have served our country in war and the cause of peace\\u201D. \\u201CAs our nation comes together in gratitude, we reiterate our commitment to providing the care, support, and recognition our veterans and their families deserve. \\u201CWe honour all whom have volunteered, sacrificed and died for our nation, including indigenous Australians. \\u201CThe words that matter today are the simple and sacred promise Australians repeated in their millions. Terry Newman was just 19-years-old when he found himself more than 5000 kilometres from home in South Vietnam. He didn\\u2019t know it at the time, but the member of the \\u2018A\\u2019 Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, would soon be on the front line in the longest and bloodiest battle for Australia of the 12-year-long Vietnam War. Twenty-six Australians perished and more than 100 were wounded during the Battle of Coral\\u2013Balmoral, which raged for 26 days between May and June in 1968 against the North Vietnamese Army. \\u201CIt was pretty hairy at times,\\u201D Newman says, pointing to the green Unit Citation for Gallantry pin he was awarded on the 50th anniversary of the battle. \\u201CThere were some pretty ferocious battles during the time that I was there. It was devastating, and most of us were only young blokes ... I had to grow up pretty quick.\\u201D Fellow Vietnam veteran Kevin Hastie, who was only a few years older at the time, spoke of having a similar experience. As difficult as it was, the former president of the Bicton/Palmyra RSL Sub-Branch said it was the sense of camaraderie among the Australian soldier\\u2019s that helped him to persevere. \\u201CWhen we were all over there, we all looked after each other, helped each other and backed each other up, and that\\u2019s how you got through it. Wasn\\u2019t it, Terry?\\u201D Hastie says. \\u201CIt was the camaraderie \\u2013 we were all very close-knit. And that\\u2019s the story of the Australian Army across the years.\\u201D \\u201CWell, old blokes like Kevin looked after young blokes like me,\\u201D Terry quipped. \\u201CI think it might have been the other way around,\\u201D Hastie joked. Hastie said he was pleased to see so many young people among the thousands of people lining the streets of St Georges Terrace for the annual Anzac Day march. \\u201CYou hope that spirit is still going to be there when we go,\\u201D he said. To more crime news, a man has died after being hit by a car along Herdsman Parade in Wembley in a suspected hit-and-run on Thursday night. Some time between 6.20pm and 6.30pm, the pedestrian was struck by an unknown vehicle. Police and St John WA attended the scene and the man was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment, but later died as a result of his injuries. Major Crash investigators are urging any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Anyone with dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Herdsman Parade between 6.20pm and 6.30pm on is urged to upload this vision directly to investigators . The streets are lined with thousands of people who have gathered to pay their respects, many of whom made the trip down from Kings Park \\u2013 the site of the state\\u2019s largest Anzac Day ceremony. Kings Park's Jack Salva (16) looks to get around West Islip's Kevin Cinotti (14) in the fourth quarter during the Suffolk boys lacrosse game on Tuesday April 29 Down two with less than five minutes remaining The Kingsmen had just allowed three unanswered goals to undefeated West Islip to open the fourth quarter and found themselves trailing by one But no game is ever over when senior captain Jack Salva is on the field Salva responded with a missile into the top left corner and scored another goal less than a minute later for Kings Park which scored five fourth-quarter goals in an 11-9 comeback win at West Islip Tuesday the fourth quarter has been our quarter,” Salva said “Obviously we’re working on playing complete games but in the fourth quarter we always find a way to come back and finish the game.” represented a back-and-forth game that saw five different lead changes as neither team led by more than two goals Salva finished with a game-high seven points Senior Chris Davis scored the go-ahead goal with 3:15 remaining before senior Billy Berhalter threaded a perfect feed to junior Matt Corrado to give Kings Park a 10-8 lead West Islip senior Derek Busking came alive in the fourth quarter logging all four of his points which included a bruising goal through numerous defenders to cut Kings Park’s lead to one That’s when Kings Park FOGO Andrew Laviano showed how and why he’s so important to this team The junior won his 19th faceoff — finishing 19-for-23 — to give Kings Park (10-1) possession and eventually an insurance goal from senior Luke Griffin off a great pass from junior Aidan Barbosa against an open net with 22 seconds left “I had to adapt to the faceoff guy and the refs,” Laviano said “I’m able to do that with the help of my wings and by doing what I know I can do on the X.” Junior goalie Nick Vicinanza controlled the cage to the tune of 18 saves Four of the first five goals by West Islip (10-1) — with three coming from junior Chase Busking — came courtesy of follow-up shots after a save from Vicinanza it was wrapped from there,” Vicinanza said Laviano pointed to Kings Park’s desire to send a message that its only loss — an 8-7 result to Mount Sinai on April 17 — was simply a blip Kings Park has won all three of its games since Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023 The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months Some of WA’s brightest young thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs, campaigners and change-makers came together at TEDx Kings Park Youth this month. Among them was youth mental health researcher Rigel Paciente Their work at The Kids Research Institute of Australia focuses on youth mental health and childhood trauma helping young people across WA work through trauma and develop resilience Mental health within the LGBTQA+ community has been a focus of Rigel’s work throughout their Master of Public Health studies Their masters dissertation explored the perspectives of LGBTQA+ young people in Australia on existing suicide prevention services. This was followed by a practicum in further research looking at LGBTQA+ content on TikTok to gauge how the community used the platform “I was looking at how LGBTQA+ people used TikTok and what sort of content they see “There was a pseudo community forming on TikTok and the culture is actually very rich and supportive.” Public debate about the negative impact of social media on youth mental health is nothing new But Rigel’s research shows social media can provide a positive supporting community for those feeling ostracized “One of the biggest contributors to suicidality or adverse mental health outcomes is feeling alone or perceiving yourself as being a burden to other people” “For an adolescent who might be geographically or socially isolated someone on your phone telling you that the way that you feel is valid that you shouldn’t be experiencing social adversities just because of your identity Rigel’s interest in this area is more than just academic Their personal experience with the adversities young people in the LGBTQA+ community face helped them understand the value of support “Growing up being somewhat isolated and not having anyone to chat to about the way one identifies or the rich culture behind the LGBTQA+ community I would have really benefited from things like TikTok when I was younger” This personal relationship with the challenges of LGBTQA+ people is what led Rigel to initially study public health “My lived experience really drove that initial yearning to go into the Master of Public Health But as soon as I stepped foot in the [Kids Research] Institute “They were so passionate about what they were doing The Australian government’s proposed social media ban on children under 16 was tabled in Parliament this month It aims to protect children from the harms of social media Rigel’s research highlights the positive impact social media can have Like many opposed to the ban Rigel believes restricting access is a futile gesture and poor attempt to curb social media’s detrimental effects they advocate for increasing online literacy “The conversation needs to be about engaging young people regarding how they’re using social media” “It needs to be more about literacy.” “Young people need to be able to discern what information is actually helpful and whether the community that they have access to online is one that is detrimental to their own mental health.” It will focus on the circumstances contributing to suicidality and self-harm in young people with type one diabetes While it may seem like a pivot from their previous work Rigel’s underlying motivation remains the same They seek out groups who are overlooked in the mental health area and provide health care systems with more knowledge ‘where are the key gaps that other people aren’t necessarily tackling at the minute?’” there is no systematic process to screen for feelings of suicidal thoughts or behaviours in people with type one diabetes.” The factors impacting the mental health of young people with type one diabetes aren’t well researched or understood Rigel’s research is underpinned by a motivation to rebuild systems to better support those in need “Research is more than just the papers that you publish,” says Rigel “I wanted young people to feel empowered about the different choices that they could make.” “It’s about how you can change the way things currently are through advocacy I think that’s what keeps me going.” Get the latest WA science news delivered to your inbox We want our stories to be shared and seen by as many people as possible Therefore, unless it says otherwise, copyright on the stories on Particle belongs to Scitech and they are published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License This allows you to republish our articles online or in print for free and you can’t edit our material or sell it separately Using the ‘republish’ button on our website is the easiest way to meet our guidelines You have to credit Particle with a link back to the original publication on Particle link to us and include links from our story Our page view counter is a small pixel-ping (invisible to the eye) that allows us to know when our content is republished It’s a condition of our guidelines that you include our counter If you use the ‘republish’ then you’ll capture our page counter If you’re republishing in print, please email us to let us so we know about it (we get very proud to see our work republished) and you must include the Particle logo next to the credits. Download logo here please contact us directly to discuss this opportunity Most of the images used on Particle are copyright of the photographer who made them It is your responsibility to confirm that you’re licensed to republish images in our articles All Particle videos can be accessed through YouTube under the Standard YouTube Licence For more information about using our content, email us: particle@scitech.org.au This article was originally published on Particle. Read the original article We heard a story from a friend of a friend of ours… As we celebrate Spooktober we’re getting into everything spooky and mysterious about Perth We’ve explored some of Perth’s most haunted places over HERE and now we’re looking into some of the peculiar stories we’ve heard about our fair city over the years The suburbs of Perth are rife with tales of big cats prowling through the night – from the Toodyay Tiger and Dwellingup Panther and of course a little further south – the beloved Nannup Tiger enormous cats came to be roaming our suburbs range from the innocuous to the fantastical Were cougar kittens brought to Australia by US servicemen during the Second World War as mascots Was there an accident at a travelling circus that caused the cats to escape Are they actually the last surviving thylacines Or are they just feral cats that have grown to a giant size the continued sightings have made the Big Cats an enduring Perth legend Photo via Bush Heritage  there have been rumours for decades that Kings Park is the site of unholy Satanic rituals witches and Satanists gather at midnight to commune under moonlight and summon dark forces The myth has been exacerbated by the untimely deaths of homeless people in the park as well as the park’s vast area shrouded in darkness it’s long been claimed that the historic East Perth Cemeteries are home to a coven of witches who perform dark rituals under the cover of darkness the first recorded interment was in 1830 – so there’s been plenty of time for dark spirits to linger in the area We can’t verify any witches covens in the area but we’ve heard plenty of reports of mysterious sounds emanating from the area in the night… Photo from State Library of Western Australia 7394B, via East Perth Cemeteries An age-old legend that transcends geography – around the world you’ll hear of sightings of sasquatches tales of the yowie have passed through communities for centuries we also hear about a creature called a woodartji– much like a yowie bunyips also have their roots in Indigenous folklore and mythology descriptions vary from dog-sized amphibious creatures to large seal-like creatures they feed on anything that strays to close to their swampy homes – and are particularly fond of women and children The South Freo Power Station is a behemoth a monument of history looming large over CY O’Connor Beach – both in its physical size and the amount of mythos surrounding the building the station was in use from 1951 until it was decommissioned 1985 In the interceding years it has become increasingly run-down with each year building on the mythos of the site There have reportedly been four murders in the building as well as a number of accidental and tragic deaths including one as recently as 2016 – and allegedly some of the now-sealed rooms still feature the bloodied marks of the murders on the walls claims have floated around about Satanic rituals taking place in the tunnels with plenty of pentagrams spotted amongst the graffiti as well as claims that the tunnels extend into a network that spans across Perth Most of the station’s subterranean levels have been deliberately collapsed and filled with sand and rubble and entrances barricaded with two-inch steel plate in order to preserve safety – we suspect many of the building’s secrets are buried along with it If you’ve taken a long late night drive through an isolated road you may have encountered the phenomena of Min Min Min Min can vary from faintly glowing to bright enough to illuminate their surrounds following motorists either from a distance or keeping pace with their vehicles as they hurtle down the road Witnesses to the lights describe the Min Min retreating when followed Some Indigenous communities in the Kimberley attribute the orbs to the spirits of elders watching over Country while some scientists hypothesise that they are the result of the Fata Morgana mirage: a layer of cold air above the ground that projects lights (like headlights or torches) over great distances Perhaps this is more apt to our list of hauntings but there’s been tales for years surrounding the Alkimos Wreck with rumours that workers were welded inside the ship’s hull during construction and reports of strange sounds and smells throughout its use It was then used during the Second World War to transport US soldiers and German prisoners of war – it’s said that during this time a Canadian radio operator working onboard was shot by a crew member the ship has encountered numerous unusual misfortunes including running aground multiple times before coming to its final resting place off our coast Bought and sold eight times during its grounding each new owner had strangely bad luck befall them – including poor health and bankruptcy Divers have reported unusual sightings and even the sound of screaming boats have had inexplicably engine failures in the area and dogs even become agitated when nearby but we reckon we’ll be keeping our distance Photo by Stanley Perkins via Lost Perth Get out your Geiger counters! According to former servicemen, a radioactive Land Rover has been buried at Leeuwin Barracks in East Fremantle. The vehicle was apparently used on the Montebello Islands during Operation Hurricane: British nuclear weapons tests that included the detonation of a 25 kilotonne plutonium implosion device the Land Rover made its way back to Perth to be cleaned and put back into service – but when the contamination couldn’t be removed many legends link back to a network of tunnels beneath the city – by some accounts Some say the tunnels host satanic rituals (an enduring theme) fabled Templar treasures… or even lead to a secret lair below the Council House where you may glimpse a tall figure in the shadows a shiny medallion glinting in the moonlight Get more spooky goodness with our list of Perth’s most haunted places. Play Duration: 6 minutes 52 seconds6m Brought to you by Friends of Kings Park volunteers are helping to remove ute loads of weeds and plant hundreds of seedlings each winter as part of a Bushland Restoration Project at a prominent site in the park.  The group are now halfway through the five year project to restore 2.2 hectares of bushland near the Forrest Roundabout. Kit Wignall is one of the volunteers involved since it's inception in 2020. He says he's learnt a lot about the history of the park through the work. "There's a long history since the 1820s of logging. There (were) big trees in the park, quarrying... dumping grounds and rubbish tips. So there's a history to this bushland. The drivers that people had back then was about survival and not perhaps some of the luxuries we have now. "It isn't pristine bushland.. there's invasive plants here, some that have just come in naturally, some that have been planted over the years. So it was a good site in saying we're starting from a base that's got some work to be done." Although volunteers have helped with bushland restoration in the park for more than 25 years, Kit explains that this project is targeting a relatively small section of the park, and involves increased funding and scientific monitoring.  "We have some extra resources from the park and we carry out the project at a focused area, measure the results and try and get some build-up of data to say, if you put this much money and energy into a site, this is sort of what you could expect to achieve. These are the results that you can get." "We're planting roughly 1,000 seedlings a year from the BGPA nursery, and interestingly,  they're grown from seeds and cuttings all collected in the park to keep the provenance and the genetic material of the park along the right tracks." The project attracted a $151,000 grant from the Friends of Kings Park Fund, which helps to pay for fauna monitoring equipment, seedling production, and herbicide spraying at the site over a five year period.  Hear more about the project through his conversation with Hilary Smale for 720 ABC Radio Perth and WA.  Friends of Kings Park volunteers Natalie Roberts, Ann Shakespeare and Catherine McChesney collect data as part of the Bushland Restoration Project. ( Supplied: Kit Wignall) Published: 28 Mar 2025Fri 28 Mar 2025 at 8:00pm Published: 21 Mar 2025Fri 21 Mar 2025 at 8:00pm Published: 14 Mar 2025Fri 14 Mar 2025 at 8:00pm One of the highlights on Boorloo/Perth’s stacked events calendar last year was the inaugural EverNow festival a celebration during the Kambarang season of the Noongar calendar and we are delighted to see its return this October 3-7 Featuring three major free public spectacles it’s a showcase of Western Australia’s unique environment and a sharing of culture through storytelling And this year EverNow will be spread across two of Perth’s favourite riverside leisure spots Kings Park and Burswood Park – here’s a breakdown of the free family-friendly events to catch while it’s on: A brand new event for the festival, From the Light Flow: Bena Koorliny is a collaboration between Groupe F (the creative company behind several Olympics ceremonies) Dr Richard Walley OAM and Noongar storyteller and artist Alton Walley Together they have created From the Light Flow: Bena Koorliny a series of light towers featuring larger-than-life illuminations Dates: Thu 3-Sun 6 OctTime: 7pm – 10pm (last entrance 9.30pm)Duration: Approx 40minsLocation: Burswood Park Enjoy a celebration that reflects on creatures and Country from Perth to the Great Southern as the banks of the Derbal Yerrigan come to life with singers, instrumentalists and dancers at Song Circle The event’s centrepiece is an outdoor circular revolving stage where singer/guitarist Maatakitj is joined by a cast of musicians singers and dancers on a ring of sand bathed in a kaleidoscopic sea of light Dates: Thu 3–Sun 6 OctTime: 5.30pm–9pm (performances every half hour)Duration: 15 minsLocation: Burswood Park The event’s marquee spectacle, Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak returns to Kings Park over four magical nights inviting audiences on an immersive journey along Fraser Avenue Family and friends will discover stories of caring for country as the park comes to life with high-tech light projections Dates: Fri 4–Mon 7 OctTime: 7pm–10.30pm (last entrance 10pm)Duration: 45 minsLocation: Kings Park All events are free to attend and non-ticketed, find out more via evernow.com.au