Latest news with #PerthChildren'sHospitalFoundation
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Entire city council sacked
An entire council has been sacked and replaced with three commissioners to put an end to a long running saga that has plagued the City of Nedlands. Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley took drastic action after four councillors quit the council based in Perth's western suburbs on Monday leaving it without a quorum to make decisions. Councillors Fergus Bennett, Noel Youngman, Ben Hodson and Hengameh Amiry all pulled the pin following years of dysfunction at the council. Nedlands Mayor Fiona Argyle welcomed the resignation of the four councillors which she described as a 'fantastic day' during a trainwreck interview on ABC Perth. Supplied Credit: Supplied Mr Bennett had served on the council for 23 years, telling 6PR all his efforts to get positive outcomes for the community had fallen on deaf ears. 'So I thought it was … time to leave the building,' he said. The veteran councillor claimed notices were often skipped in council meetings and the mayor would often rule against a person talking and when they arced up they would be accused of being misogynistic. 'It's light entertainment,' he said. The former councillor said the only way to force the mayor to leave was if there was no longer a quorum and the minister was forced to step in. Nedlands Mayor Fiona Argyle told ABC Perth she welcomed the resignation of the four councillors which she described as a 'fantastic day' during a trainwreck interview. 'I am the most popularly elected mayor since the 70s,' she said. 'I am a globalised girl with almost three university degrees that can speak two languages, if they want to put that on me that's their business.' City of Nedlands Mayor Fiona Argyle opposed a Perth Children's Hospice and parkland on Class A Reserve next to Swanbourne Beach. Supplied Credit: Supplied Mayor Argyle had been at loggerheads with the state government over plans for a children's hospice and park on council land located next to Swanbourne Beach, in Perth's western suburbs. The council blocked a development application from the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation's to turn a Class A Reserve into an oasis for terminally ill children and the community. Planning and Lands Minister John Cary stepped in and took excise of the land to allow the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation to create a park for patients, families and the community. 'No one on this planet is against dying children,' Mayor Argyle said. 'No one hates dying children. Everyone loves dying children. 'It had a Whadjuk Noongar trail on it for 40,000 years and it was the only beach access, so should that go into private hands?' Minister for Local Government Hannah Beazley sacked the entire City of Nedlands Council after four councillors quit leaving the council without a quorum to make decisions. Supplied Credit: Supplied After the four councillors resigned Minister Beazley said she would bring an end to the saga of dysfunction and disunity that plagued the City of Nedlands and appoint three commissioners as quickly as possible. 'I'm currently working with the department through that process, having conversations with people who may be appropriate commissioners and provide the skill sets, intelligence and backgrounds that I will need to take to the city of Nedlands to sort out the core governance that have been plaguing that city for some time,' she said. The minister said there was nothing stopping the sacked councillors from running for council again during the October elections, but encouraged them to reflect on their behaviour and the decisions they had made. 'I've had concerns about the City of Nedlands Netherlands for quite some time, so the department has had them under investigation,' said. 'That investigation is due to wrap up soon and will be a useful resource for the commissioners coming in as a source of information.'
Perth Now
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Perth teen's courageous cancer journey honoured
A Perth teen's health battle was recognised at last weekend's Perth Super 440. V8 SuperUtes driver Jimmy Vernon paid tribute to 16-year-old Rinaldo Osborne from Darch by displaying his name and photo on his helmet. Over the past 18 months, Rinaldo has been undergoing treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Perth Children's Hospital. Your local paper, whenever you want it. At the Wanneroo Raceway, Rinaldo and his family were given a special behind-the-scenes pit tour, met the drivers, and got to sit inside Vernon's race car. Rinaldo, who enjoys golf, fishing, swimming and photography in his spare time, said the experience was incredibly special. 'Meeting Jimmy on Saturday was an unforgettable honour; his story shows that anything is possible with passion and hard work, which inspires me with my journey and goals,' Rinaldo said. 'I'm so grateful to him and the Kids with Cancer Foundation for the chance to share my journey and see my name and photo on his helmet; a day I'll never forget.' Vernon has been an ambassador for the Kids with Cancer Foundation since 2020, dedicating each of his races to a child diagnosed with cancer. In November 2024, a $450,000 three-year funding commitment was made by Kids with Cancer Foundation to Perth Children's Hospital Foundation to support pioneering immunology research, which could lead to a vaccine to help beat childhood cancer. Rinaldo Osborne (left) with Jimmy Vernon. Credit: Supplied Rinaldo and his family are sharing their story to help shine a light on the 1200 children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year. After weeks of persistent illness with little improvement despite several visits to the GP, in December 2023 Rinaldo was rushed to Perth Children's Hospital where he underwent urgent tests and received his diagnosis. Over the next several months, Rinaldo courageously endured multiple rounds of intensive chemotherapy, battling complications including blood clots, severe infections, headaches and frequent hospital stays. After suffering a seizure in April 2024, Rinaldo was placed in an induced coma and faced a challenging physical recovery, but with determination and physiotherapy he gradually regained his strength and mobility. Rinaldo Osborne from Darch, was featured on racing car driver Jimmy Vernon's helmet at the 2025 Bosch Power Tools Perth Super 440 in the V8 SuperUtes events. Credit: Supplied He missed much of Year 10 but is now back at school full-time and busy with his Year 11 studies. His father Wayne described him as a respectful, gentle young man who wants to join the Royal Australian Navy one day. Mr Osborne said despite the trauma of the journey, Rinaldo had remained resilient, brave and kind throughout it all, and their family was forever grateful for the 'incredible support' they had received. 'Rinaldo lives each day to the fullest, stays focused on his dreams, and never lets go of hope. His courage lights the way not just for our family but for many others facing similar battles,' he said. 'He reminds us that no matter how hard the fight, anything is possible with heart, faith, and determination.'
9 News
07-06-2025
- Health
- 9 News
Council slammed for opposing park plan for terminally ill children next to hospice
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here It's a small slice of land in Perth 's west creating a big problem. Planning and Lands Minister John Carey today stepped in and overruled the City of Nedlands in their decision to oppose plans to turn the Swanborne land, located next to a children's hospice, into a park for terminally ill kids. "I've not seen anything like it, I think Nedlands is one of the worst councils in Western Australia," Carey said. WA Planning and Lands Minister John Carey stepped in and overruled the City of Nedlands' decision to oppose plans to turn land next to a children's hospice, into a park for terminally ill kids. (9News) Carey moved in to take the land at Allen Park off council hands. "This is the right decision," he said. "It is a damning indictment of the Nedlands council and their opposition to both the hospice and now this park." The Perth Children's Hospital Foundation is building the hospice, which will be ready for terminally ill children from mid-next year. The Perth Children's Hospital Foundation is building the hospice, which will be ready for terminally ill children from mid-next year. (9News) "We are delighted that the City of Nedlands has been made irrelevant and we can get on with building a beautiful native bushland," Ian Campbell from Perth Children's Hospital Foundation said. "They have been an amazing irritation, just like a mosquito that won't go away." The patch of land is just 3000 square metres, which is roughly the size of two-and-a-half Olympic swimming pools. Despite multiple attempts, the City of Nedlands refused to answer our questions or talk on camera today. WA Planning and Lands Minister John Carey will put the motion before parliament in 10 days time to make the area state land. (9News) Instead releasing a text message statement, saying "the community has expressed concern regarding the bushfire zone and ensuring public access through Allen Park to the beach at all times". Carey labelled it "nimby-ism gone mad". "It makes absolutely no sense to want to keep a barren land there instead of a beautiful garden that will serve families and sick and dying children," he said. The Minister will put the motion before parliament in 10 days time. After 2 weeks, if no one disagrees, land ownership will change and become state land. A motion the opposition says it supports. Western Australia Perth hospitals Politics council CONTACT US
West Australian
07-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
City of Nedlands says it welcomes hospice opening after Minister excises land
The City of Nedlands has defended its handling of the parkland surrounding the planned Swanbourne children's hospice after it emerged WA's Lands Minister was planning to excise the area from its control. The West Australian revealed on Saturday John Carey would use his power as minister to take control of Allen Park after the local authority blocked the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation's $4 million offer to transform the area into a better, greener view for sick and dying kids. In a statement to The Sunday Times, a City of Nedlands spokesperson said as part of the hospice development approval the council was required to maintain low vegetation on the land proposed for excision, because it was in the key bushfire protection zone. 'The State Government's own bushfire peer review report recommended against the PCHF landscape plan as it compromised the integrity of the bushfire zone,' the spokesperson said. 'The community have expressed concern regarding the bushfire zone and ensuring public access through Allen Park to the beach at all times. 'The city hopes these matters will be considered in the final plan and welcomes the opening of the hospice which will provide valuable support and care for the sick children and their families.' The spokesperson also said the city had emphasised the importance of preserving Class A reserves for future generations, the Bush to Beach Whadjuk Trail, and the management of parks and reserves. On Saturday, Mr Carey called the city 'one of the worst' councils in WA, adding it had 'lost its heart'. '...They have gone out of their way to oppose the hospice, to make it difficult, and now to oppose a beautiful park for dying children,' he said. 'I have to say this: go out and see the land, they've been fixated on this idea . . . go out to the land, it's a dirt bowl.' The excision will have to be put to Parliament on the next sitting day — June 17 — where both houses will have 14 days to pass a disallowance motion in opposition. The Opposition has indicated it will support the move by Mr Carey. Perth Children's Hospital Foundation will now spend $4 million to rehabilitate the park and build a play area.
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Little doctors take over at Perth Children's Hospital's Kids' Clinic to raise funds for sick children
A team of little doctors took out their stethoscopes and traded places with their healthcare heroes to raise vital funds for WA's sickest kids. The Perth Children's Hospital Foundation held the heartwarming Kids' Clinic on Friday, allowing kids to grab their clipboards and flip the script. Noah Hamilton — who was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis when he was two — said the day was about promoting PCHF and showing 'even sick kids can do things'. The 11-year-old ran an eye test station and even checked the eyesight of Eskimo Joe's Kav Temperley. 'It is amazing to be here, especially for the kids. You've got a bunch of kids who are dealing with all kinds of really intense stuff on a day-to-day basis, and for them to have a bit of control over being the doctors is really cool for their headspace, 'Mr Temperley said. Liv Cripps — cancer survivor and wife of West Coast Eagles star Jamie Cripps — was another renowned star patient. Eight-year-old Anastasia Trucia — who lives with cerebral palsy — ran Ms Cripps' favourite station, where people had to 'blow into (balloons) until the timer finishes.' 'Blowing up all those balloons was very tricky, I was very out of breath afterwards,' Ms Cripps said. Perth Children's Hospital Foundation CEO Carrick Robinson said the day celebrated recovery and resilience. 'Seeing our Little Doctors smiling, confident and thriving is a powerful symbol of why we do what we do,' he said. The Kids' Clinic served as a reminder of the urgent need for support during PCHF's Tax Appeal, which runs until June 30. Each donation made during this time will be doubled, helping the Foundation raise over $400,000 to fund state-of-the-art medical equipment. To support PCHF's Tax Appeal and double your impact, visit before June 30.
