Latest news with #TheWestAust
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Huge free three-day event coming to the Quay this week
Perth's Elizabeth Quay will be transformed into a winter wonderland this month as Cosy @ The Quay: A European Fable takes over the waterfront the from Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20. Inspired by the magical winter festival atmospheres of Salzburg, Munich and Strasbourg, the event features a line-up of live music, dance, food and immersive experiences, making it the ideal school holiday adventure. At the heart of this free event is the Winter Dome, a glowing, heated space where visitors can relax on heated lounges with a hot chocolate and enjoy live folk singers and piano accordionists. During the day families can enjoy the Kids Euro Disco and Snow Dance, while at night the space comes alive with Euro Nights DJ sets, filling the space with fun, upbeat European tunes. Mike Drysdale and Little Miss Squeezebox at Elizabeth Quay. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust Across the Quay, visitors will find fire pits for marshmallow toasting, fireside poetry readings and sunset opera duo, along with roaming folk dancers and performances of Viennese waltzing under magical lights. Free European folk-dance lessons will also be held throughout the event, which is available for all ages and skill levels. Food lovers can warm up with woodfired pizza, Polish-style toasted sandwiches and classic winter treats, all while soaking in the festive atmosphere reminiscent of a northern winter, and plenty of hot drinks. A ferris wheel, carousel, train rides around Elizabeth Quay and surrounding bridges and a range of food trucks will also be available on a paid basis. The free event will run from noon to 10pm over the three days.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Perth Now
Perth's ‘most significant' auction unveils new WA treasures
Artefacts of WA's early history owned by a renowned Peppermint Grove couple will go under the hammer in an auction hailed as the most significant of its kind. From maps and paintings to Colonial-period WA furniture, David and Marie Louise Wordsworth's collection will all be on the market this Sunday. The collection is led by a striking portrait of the first Governor of WA, Sir James Stirling, which has never been available for public viewing in Australia until now. A diary by explorer John Eyre, who was the first European to traverse the coastline of the Great Australian Bight and the Nullarbor Plain by land in 1840–1841, along with artefacts owned by WA's first premier John Forrest and his explorer brother Alexander, are also up for grabs. The couple's daughter Sara Wordsworth, who has helped collate the collection of some 800 lots for auction, said it was 'the right time' to let go of their family's most valuable treasures in a bid to help keep WA's history alive. Perth Now. Sara Wordsworth, the daughter of former Court government minister David Wordsworth, with some of the artwork from his collection that will be auctioned off this weekend. Jackson Flindell Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust 'We want to pass the baton of conservation of WA history on, and we want WA to be able to be proud of its history,' she said. David Wordsworth — who died last year — was an MP in Charles Court's government. Born in Kashmir in 1930, he grew up in Tasmania before bringing his family to WA in 1961, where they pursued pastoral interests in Esperance. He had a distinguished political career, including serving as a State Government minister during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ms Wordsworth said her parents, particularly her mother, were passionate historians. Auction for Collection of David and Marie Louise Wordsworth - Lot 195 - A very impressive and fabulously carved walnut hall seat of grand proportions, English circa 1860-1880 - $2,000-4,000 Unknown Credit: Unknown / Supplied 'My mum has always been really passionate and interested in WA history,' she said. 'So all her life she's collected early furniture and documents that she's thought are important to the State and that should be kept for the future, for posterity.' The family sold their home in Peppermint Grove after Mr Wordsworth died, leaving all of the artefacts they had amassed through a lifetime without a real home. 'I was faced with a question of what to do with all these wonderful things. And so that's really why we're having this auction,' his daughter said. 'I'm hoping that those West Australians, who will value the history of the State, will purchase them and we can hand on the baton, so to speak.' Auction for Collection of David and Marie Louise Wordsworth - Lot 8 - Alexander Forrest's Octant. An Historical glass-cased Octant labelled 'Owned and Used by Alexander Forrest' Further inscribed Alexander Forrest 1849 to 1901, Often used for his Expeditions in Western Australia - $1,000-1,500 Unknown Credit: Unknown / Supplied The auction is estimated to fetch more than $50,000 and is likely to attract strong interest from collectors around Australia, as well as public institutions. But for Ms Wordsworth, it marks a significant chapter for her family in letting go of some of their most sacred antiques to help bring more tangible history back to the State. 'When we go overseas, we go to museums to see the history of their countries. It's important that we acknowledge what we've got here too. It might not be as old, but it's still as important,' she said. 'So we want to pass the baton on to others to help carry this history forward for all Australians.'
Perth Now
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Sam Kerr spotted in Perth with fiancée and baby Jagger
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has stepped out in Perth with fiancée Kristie Mews and new baby Jagger. The 31-year-old was spotted enjoying a relaxed brunch with her parents on Sunday morning, with Mewis pictured holding their two-month-old in a carrier. The pair later caught up with Kerr's teammate Emily Van Egmond before hitting the shops, buying nappies and baby wipes. Kerr is back in her hometown for the Matildas' whirlwind stint in Western Australia, with their final match against Panama at HBF Park on Tuesday. The Matildas captain is not part of the 33-player squad for the four frendlies as she continues her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury she sustained more than 18 months ago. Even without gracing the pitch, Kerr sent her hometown fans into raptures when she stepped out to sign autographs in Perth before the Matildas faced Slovenia late last month. Kids packed the eastern terrace and clamoured for their soccer hero's coveted signature, calling her name from the moment she entered the arena. Matildas soccer player Sam Kerr greets fans at the Australia v Slovenia friendly. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust She worked her way the length of the pitch, stopping for selfies and responding to squeaked requests from fans as her entourage ensured everyone got their moment with the beloved star. Stepping out on Sunday was the first time she had been pictured since. Kerr and Mewis began their relationship around 2020 before confirming they were a couple on social media in August 2021. They got engaged in September 2023, announcing it publicly two months later. Their engagement was followed by the news that they were expecting their first child in November last year. Sam Kerr greets fans. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust Kerr announced the arrival of Jagger Mewis-Kerr in May, writing 'Our little man is here' alongside a picture of the family-of-three. The proud mums have both shared pictures of the newborn on social media, including one that featured him in onesie with a Vegemite print on it.
Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
How Opera singer became owner of busy Perth fish & chip shop
When WA Opera tenor Paul O'Neill isn't working on his scales, the classically trained singer is working with scales of a different kind. The WA Academy of Performing Arts graduate can often be found singing an aria at the deep fryer of High C's Fish and Chips, the takeaway diner he opened in Coolbellup last year. 'Occasionally, I've cracked out a note or two for people and they've been impressed,' O'Neill laughed, adding that he usually reins in his powerhouse voice when singing in his shop. 'It's quite boomy in here and I'll take someone's ears off.' O'Neill said a friend suggested he open the family business when the COVID pandemic shut down theatres and opera houses around the world. WA Opera singer Paul O'Neill has opened a fish 'n' chips shop in Coolbellup called High C's. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust 'We were sort of sidelined and there wasn't anything for us to do,' he explained. 'I didn't really know what I wanted to do if (COVID) happened again — what would my side hustle be? — and somebody suggested a fish and chips shop.' The Melbourne-born singer, who performed with top companies in Wales and Germany before returning to Perth in 2017, enjoys cooking — mainly because he's got to feed five kids, aged 18 to three-year-old Anna. His sons Thomas, 18, and Joseph, 17, can often be found working in High C's, while Matthew, 13, and Sophia, 12 have also pitched in. The O'Neills are a musical family: Paul's wife Aleisha is a piano teacher, while Thomas has joined his father on stage in WA Opera productions. Tenor Paul O'Neill will star as Pinkerton in WA Opera's production of Madame Butterfly, opening at His Majesty's Theatre on July 26. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust Opera-themed dishes at High C's include the seafood serenade, quartet and duet, while 'the orchestra' section of the menu stars crab sticks, dim sims, squid rings and other staples of Australian fish 'n' chips. The shop's cartoon fish mascot is Snapperoti, in tribute to legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti. In July, O'Neill will go from pink snapper to Pinkerton, the callous US Navy lieutenant in WA Opera's production of Puccini's famous opera Madame Butterfly. The busy tenor, who has sung Pinkerton with Opera Australia in China and on Sydney Harbour, is confident he'll be able to juggle playing a cad with grilling cod and other fish. O'Neill said that, since opening in August, he's turned a few customers into opera fans. 'They've never been to the opera but they're going to start coming,' he laughed. Acclaimed WA tenor Paul O'Neill runs High C's Fish and Chips in Coolbellup with his family. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust O'Neill recently pushed back the launch of his chilli con carne loaded chips when he had to rush over to New Zealand as a last-minute replacement in a production of Puccini's La Boheme. 'I basically had to come in here, change the oil, go home, pack my bag and go,' he said. 'If you want something done, ask someone busy.' The secret to his chips is cooking them in beef tallow rather than seed oil, while his favourite fish is tropical snapper. 'We're not reinventing the wheel, but we're getting good quality fish and sending it out to people,' O'Neill said. High C's is open five days a week, from 4pm to 8pm.
Perth Now
30-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Why you should visit Coles for a sausage sizzle this weekend
The WA community is encouraged to pop to their local Coles and grab a sizzling snag in the spirit of Telethon at the weekend. Every Coles supermarket across the State will host a community BBQ on Saturday and Sunday in hopes of raising $50,000 for sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children. Coles assistant State manager Jeff Stephens said they are 'incredibly proud' to support Telethon. 'This BBQ is about more than just the snags, it's about showing up for local kids and families, celebrating our community spirit, and doing our bit to make a real difference,' he said. Customers can purchase a hotdog for $3.50, or snag a deal with a hotdog and a drink for $5. One hundred per cent of the proceeds will go to Telethon. The BBQ will run outside Coles stores from 9am to 2pm on Saturday, 31, and from 11am to 2pm Sunday, 1 June. Customers can purchase a hotdog for $3.50. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust
