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Perth Now
3 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
How a volunteer run cafe is giving broken items new life
More than 3000 broken items have been rescued from landfill thanks to the Repair Cafe, a free volunteer-run event held on the third Saturday of every month at the North Perth Town Hall. The not-for-profit group runs its monthly events from 9.30am to 11.30am. People are invited to bring along broken or faulty household items such as bikes, clothes, furniture or technology devices and volunteer experts will help fix them, as well answer questions about how to fix items at home or even where to get the right parts. Deputy co-ordinator and general repairer Bruce Galbraith, who has been volunteering with the Repair Cafe since he retired seven years ago, said the cafe drew between 15 to 20 visitors each month and had 10 to 15 volunteers who each brought their own area of expertise. 'We have the ladies doing textiles, both sewing, both machine sewing and hand sewing. Then we have guys doing electrical stuff, a couple of computer guys. We have a guy who can do bikes as they're needed,' Mr Galbraith said. He said the main aim of their work was to keep things out of landfill. 'Reduce the amount of things going to landfill, and helping people repair things to keep them out of landfill; that is the main mantra,' Mr Galbraith said. 'We have the mantra that every successful repair we do equally keeps a kilo out of landfill.' Mr Galbraith said he really enjoyed fixing items with a background and history. 'A lady told me that (her suitcase) had been her mother's in Singapore just before the Japanese invaded. Her mother had two hours to get out; it lasted through the war. Now her daughter is using it for family history again.' he said. The Repair Cafe isn't just for old items. Fixing broken children's toys is also really popular. 'I fixed a scooter for a boy on Saturday, and he was so pleased he had his scooter that he could run around and ride it again. He was delighted,' he said. Sandra and Robert Gilbert with their granddaughter's repaired toy. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Mr Galbraith said the cafe was backed by the City of Vincent, which they greatly appreciated. 'But we also appreciate donations, which help us keep supplying a few things like glue,' he said. The Repair Cafe started in North Perth more than seven years ago. Mr Galbraith said it was part of a global movement which started in Belgium about 18 years ago. 'We're all aware of each other ... There's around 3600 (repair Cafed) worldwide and about 55,000 volunteers.' he said. 'In Europe, they are now bringing in laws that make it compulsory that things can be repaired and manufacturers have to provide parts.' Paola Battaglia with her cuckoo clock. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian
Perth Now
11-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Historic Perth ‘gem' now home to bespoke jewellery showroom
A South Perth jeweller is celebrating six decades in the industry with the opening of stunning new flagship showroom inside a restored 1900s post office building on Mill Point Road. Soklich & Co. Jewellers, founded by the Soklich family, has spanned over three generations and grown from humble beginnings in the WA outback to become one of the State's most respected names in jewellery bespoke design and manufacturing. The story began in 1965, when the family first started gemstone exploration in the Pilbara. A year later, they bought the Great Australian Amethyst Mine in WA. From there, the family built a large-scale gemstone cutting and jewellery manufacturing business in Thailand, which ran successfully for 20 years and became a major exporter of Australian gemstones. In 1986, the family moved their operations back to Perth, shifting focus to wholesaling jewellery to retail outlets across Australia and New Zealand. In 2014, husband-and-wife Chris and Lexie Soklich opened a flagship shop on Angelo Street in South Perth that brought their designs directly to the public, with on-site jewellers and a workshop. Now, more than a decade later, they are opening the doors to a new space and they've chosen a piece of South Perth history as its home. Chris Soklich standing next to his dad (the late Daniel Soklich) and the mining truck. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Located in the former South Perth Post Office in the Civic Heart centre, the new showroom is the result of a five-year renovation project which restored the building's heritage features while also giving it a modern edge. 'This building was originally built in 1900. We've tried to preserve its history as much as possible while creating something fresh and exciting,' Ms Soklich said. 'It's a historical gem in South Perth and we want to honour its story.' The late (Daniel Soklich) standing over a fresh load of rough rock from the Australian outback ready to be processed. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian The store's interior features a striking Italian-made chandelier shaped like cherry blossoms, curved counters inspired by traditional designs, and a fully visible workshop where customers can see the jewellers at work, a space Ms Soklich referred to as 'the fishbowl'. 'It's not just a shop,' Ms Soklich said. 'We wanted people to be able to walk in, feel inspired and actually see how the pieces are made. It's about the full experience, from imagination to creation.' Soklich & Co. is known for its bold, one-of-a-kind designs, from diamond-set jellyfish with moving limbs to intricate spiders and bees crafted with black diamonds and yellow and white gold. Their collection ranges from high-end custom jewellery to more traditional, timeless pieces. The Fishbowl feature will allow people to view the artistic process. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'We have big bees the size of your palm, and even a fish made of aquamarines and diamonds. We even turned a piece of wood our son found into a paperweight,' Ms Soklich said. 'People come to us because they know we do 'different'.' The business now operates across three arms: Soklich & Co. for custom design and retail, Ellendale Diamonds for wholesale across Australia and New Zealand, and a Perth safety deposit box facility offering high-security storage, which are all run by the Soklich family and their 21 staff members. Through it all, Ms Soklich says, the focus has remained on craftsmanship, customer connection and joy. 'If I had to attach an emotion to our business, it would be joy,' she said. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian, Lexie Soklich and Chris Soklich, from Soklich & Co Jewellers in South Perth. 'We want people to leave here feeling like they've created that makes them happy.' As part of future plans, Ms Soklich hopes to upcycle more of the old post office's original fittings, including more than 1200 vintage mailboxes. She's hoping to build that project in conjunction with Wesley College metalwork students to turn them into a community project that pays tribute to the building's past. 'I also want to get some historical items from the South Perth council to actually put into the project, like some old letters and photos,' Ms Soklich said. The new Soklich & Co. showroom is open to the public.
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Disney Store to open at northern suburbs shopping centre
The magical world that is the Disney Store is popping up in Perth this month, where fans will have the chance to get their hands on limited edition merchandise. The enchanting pop-up store will open at Westfield Whitford City on Saturday until July 20 and is located on level 1 near Coles. Fans of all ages will have the opportunity to shop beloved collectables, clothes, toys, decor and more from the Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars universes. Evie Battalis inside the Disney Pop-up store. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Alongside highly coveted products, from plush to merchandise direct from Disney Parks, the pop-up will also include brand new dolls, costumes, and limited-edition items, not available anywhere else in Australia. There are sure to be long queues of fans lining up on opening morning as the only other Disney Stores are located in the US, Europe and Asia. The Australian stores were closed in 2003. Launch day is surely not one to miss, as there will be giveaways and a free gift for the first 30 people in line. A giant Stitch toy. Credit: Supplied Also on offer are Disney Store Japan exclusive ranges from Urupocha-chan to cute keychains and the Disneyland Resort 70th anniversary vault collection. A Mickey Mouse plush from the Disneyland Resort 70th anniversary vault collection. Credit: Supplied People who visit the pop-up from July 15 to July 20 will receive a free ornament gift on purchases over $100. It is open Monday to Sunday.
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- General
- Perth Now
New Perth Zoo gibbon enclosure opens days after tragic death
One foot carefully after another, a cheeky gibbon parades across a tightrope as he checks out his new home below. Perth Zoo's $11.7 million state-of-the-art gibbon enclosure opened on Tuesday, which takes the space into the air and tripling the space for the critically endangered apes. It means visitors can observe the acrobatics of the animals as they traverse rope pathways connected to a 14m tower overhead. Situated near Perth Zoo's entrance, the apes can now travel larger distances as the public watches from the ground below. Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the expanded primate enclosure would be a drawcard for families. The enclosure is situated near Perth Zoo's entrance. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'Record numbers of visitors are already enjoying the new café precinct and family facilities, and now, the primate crossing adds a world-class experience,' he said. 'Watching the gibbons swing through the skies is truly remarkable to see and it's these magic moments that form core memories and help inspire the next generation into conservationists.' Perth Zoo recorded more than 900,000 visitors in the last financial year, with upgrades, funded by the State Government, also completed to improve seating, barbeque and event facilities at the zoo. Perth Zoo's $11.7 million state-of-the-art gibbon enclosure opened on Tuesday. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian The unveiling of the exhibit comes after the zoo's gibbon population was hit by tragedy over the weekend. Keepers said the Zoo's white-cheeked gibbon Jermei went into labour over the weekend, but that the baby did not survive. Gynaecological experts who normally help with human pregnancies performed a caesarean to give the baby the very best chance at surviving. Perth's Gibbon population are part of a global breeding program to help boost numbers, with the apes one of the rarest in the world and native to south east Asia.
Perth Now
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Thousands travel far and wide to win cash in Mega Bingo
A full house was just the ticket as more than 5000 players packed the Perth Convention Centre hoping to win a piece of the $137,000 prize money offered in the annual Telethon Mega Bingo yesterday. Players — both experienced and novice — intently followed calls like 'legs eleven' and 'clickety-click' with dreams of spending big on a new kitchen or overseas holiday. And when first-time player Natasha Newberry shouted 'bingo' to secure $37,500 cash, a huge round of loud cheers filled the room. Ms Newbery, who has seven children and one grandchild on the way, said she couldn't wait to share the winnings with the family. 'It's like a dream come true, I came in with high spirits but I never thought it would actually happen,' she said. Players came dressed for success, some in rubber duckie onesies, others wearing floral headpieces, all adding to the vibrancy of the day. Doreen Hughes (97) at the Telethon Mega Bingo 2025 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Among the enthralled crowd was 61-year-old Gary Thomas, who flew all the way from England to take part in the bingo extravaganza. Mr Thomas had been hearing about the Telethon Mega Bingo from friends who had volunteered since the very first bingo event in 2008, and said he 'had to see what it was all about'. 'I arrived in Perth last night and I leave tomorrow evening,' he said. 'I always knew I was going to come do it one day... I will be back for sure, I am having a lot of fun.' Monique Archer racked up some frequent flyer points too, jetting over from Brisbane for a quick two-day break to take part in the Mega Bingo. The crowd at the Telethon Mega Bingo 2025 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'I'm from Perth originally but I've lived in Queensland for 17 years. All my best girlfriends are still here so I often come back for the event,' she said. 'I grew up watching Telethon on TV. When I go home I feel like my soul is filled having spent time with my best friends and sister and helping raise money for children in WA.' Karen Raftos — the first-ever prize winner at the very first Telethon Mega Bingo — was there with her daughter Rachel Wright and mum Helen Raftos. Karen Raftos, Rachel Wright and Helen Raftos, who are 3 generations playing at the Telethon Mega Bingo 2025 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Ms Raftos has been a Telethon lover for as long as she can remember and experienced the true magic of Telethon first-hand when her daughter was diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome. 'Knowing how generous and supportive everyone in this room is of sick children, that is why we haven't missed a year, the atmosphere is just incredible,' Ms Raftos said. Noreen Dickerson, Sharon Dawson, Christine Wilson and Lorraine Dickerson at the Telethon Mega Bingo 2025 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian While this year there was a lower age limit of 12, there was nothing stopping 97-year-old Doreen Hughes — who has attended the event since 2009 — from trying her luck. Tony Ashford was the lucky winner of a brand new GWM Haval Jolion Luxury. There is another to be won on Sunday; each vehicle is valued at nearly $30,000.
